Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other and only Taiwanese can decide on the nation’s future, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday.
The party issued the remarks following former legislative speaker Wang Jin-pyng’s (王金平) proposal of a new cross-strait formula based on “separate governance without division” between Taiwan and China.
The Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) Wang on Sunday said that “the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other in terms of governance, but share sovereignty without division.”
Photo: Taipei Times
His proposal acknowledges the reality that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are governed separately, while “pragmatically” keeping avenues open for fostering peaceful relations, Wang said.
DPP China Affairs Director Wu Jun-zhi (吳峻鋕) yesterday said that Taiwanese are determined to safeguard the nation’s democracy and freedom.
“The DPP supports having dialogue with China based on mutual respect and dignity, through healthy and orderly engagement,” he said. “When Beijing shows willingness to stop intimidation and recognizes the existence of Republic of China [ROC, Taiwan], the two sides can immediately start to have dialogue.”
KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) yesterday said his party supported cross-strait exchanges and “welcomes anyone making contributions or efforts on behalf of cross-strait peace.”
Wang’s proposal is intended to “promote cross-strait peace — to allow for cross-strait exchanges and dialogue based on existing foundations, and we support and approve of that,” he said.
Separately, the Mainland Affairs Council yesterday said that the nation’s cross-strait narrative must ensure Taiwan’s free and democratic system, and recognize the ROC’s existence.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) yesterday said that differentiating “governance” and “sovereignty” can easily cause terminological confusion.
President William Lai’s (賴清德) “four pillars of peace” action plan and “four commitments” have clearly stated Taiwan’s stance, Lin said.
The “four commitments” were first mentioned by former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in her National Day Address in 2021. They include “a free and democratic constitutional system,” “the ROC and the People’s Republic of China should not be subordinate to each other,” “resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty,” and “the future of the ROC must be decided according to the will of Taiwanese.”
Lai proposed the “four pillars of peace” action plan earlier this year which involves strengthening self-defense, enhancing economic security, deepening democratic ties and engaging in dialogue.
Additional reporting by Lee I-chia and CNA
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