ROC President Ma Ying-jeou called on Tsai Ing-wen, opposition Democratic Progressive Party leader and 2012 presidential candidate, to clarify her stance on building a “Taiwan consensus” for engaging mainland China.
“To understand what Taiwan consensus means, we must first learn about the voice of Taiwan’s people, which is the status quo of no unification, no independence and no use of force,” Ma said Aug. 28 in a news conference at the presidential office.
Polls show that over 80 percent of Taiwanese endorse the three noes under the framework of the ROC constitution, Ma said, urging Tsai to disclose her position, especially on the question of independence.
“Tsai must deliver clear-cut answers as there is zero room for obfuscation on this issue,” Ma said. “An ROC presidential candidate must love and support the country; there is no reason to be afraid or hesitant.”
The president’s remarks follow the controversy sparked by Tsai at the unveiling of her cross-strait campaign platform last week. The DPP leader denied the existence of the “1992 consensus,” vowing that if elected, she will formulate a new structure for bilateral engagement with mainland China through a democratic mechanism called the Taiwan consensus.
Serving as the basis for Taipei’s dialogue with Beijing since Ma took office in May 2008, the 1992 consensus is an informal, oral understanding that there exists only one China, inclusive of the mainland and Taiwan, with both sides agreeing to differ on its precise political definition.
Reaffirming the existence and importance of the 1992 consensus, Ma said along with the three noes, the concept has proven effective over the past three years in ushering in a new era of cross-strait peace and prosperity for Taiwan as it engages with mainland China and the world.
“Overturning the 1992 consensus and the three noes would have an inestimable impact on Taiwan,” Ma said. (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at rachelchan@mail.gio.gov.tw