Premier Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺) yesterday took issue with a former high-ranking Chinese official who said that recognition of the so-called “1992 consensus” would eventually lead to unification between Taiwan and China.
In an interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix television last month, former deputy chairman of China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits Tang Shubei (唐樹備) said it would be inconsistent with the principle of the “1992 consensus” if the two sides were to remain separated indefinitely.
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) believed the so-called “1992 consensus” was reached during a meeting in Hong Kong in 1992 between Taiwanese and Chinese representatives, under which both sides claim to have acknowledged that there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “one China” means.
The Democratic Progressive Party insists the “1992 consensus” does not exist.
Tang said in the interview that the core spirit of the “1992 consensus” was “one China,” and that its goal is that both sides join efforts to pursue unification.
At the legislature’s question-and-answer session yesterday, the premier said he disagreed with Tang because the “1992 consensus” referred to an understanding that each side of the Strait has its own interpretation of what “one China” means.
The understanding, which was reached by both sides, does not contain anything related to unification and does not set a timeline for unification, Jiang said in answer to Taiwan Solidarity Union Legislator Huang Wen-ling’s (黃文玲) question on his views about Tang’s statement.
“Sometimes they [the Chinese side] overinterpret the meaning of the ‘1992 consensus,’” Jiang said.
Jiang added that the overarching principle guiding the KMT government’s cross-strait policies is to maintain the cross-strait “status quo.”
In related news, China’s new Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) director, Zhang Zhijun (張志軍), yesterday said it was not necessary to set conditions for him to visit Taiwan.
Zhang was responding to recent remarks by Mainland Affairs Council Minister Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦), who said that Zhang was welcome to visit Taiwan “at an appropriate time, in a suitable capacity and when all related conditions are right.”
Wang added that he would not meet Zhang unless Zhang agrees to address him by his official title, instead of simply “Mr Wang.”
Zhang, who was attending a seminar in China’s Fujian Province, said that any related problems, such as in what capacity and format the visits should be made, can be resolved with sincerity.
However, throughout his talk, he did not refer to Wang by his title, but only referred to him as “those responsible for such affairs in Taiwan.”
Zhang added that his predecessor, Wang Yi (王毅), had never had the chance to visit Taiwan in the five years he was office.
“I hope not to harbor such regrets in my term,” Zhang said.
Zhang added that the TAO would continue to remove any obstacles that stand in the way of cross-strait relations and seek to promote understanding on both sides.
The office would also “seek to purge the rancor left by the pro-Taiwan independence consciousness and increase recognition of [Chinese] ethnicity (民族認同感),” he said.
Zhang said that by moving forward step by step and not setting restrictions, both sides can slowly come to a consensus on what to do, adding that starting dialogue through civil organizations is a viable method.
Through seminars hosted by groups on both sides of the Strait, the two sides can begin to accrue ideas at these peace seminars, he said.
Commenting on Zhang’s call for Taiwan to remove “all restrictions,” Democratic Progressive Party Policy Research Committee’s executive director Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said that China was the one imposing restrictions with its insistence on “one China” during cross-strait talks.
China should respect Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy and uphold the principle of equality, Wu said.
Only by adhering to these principles would Taiwanese feel respected by China, Wu said.
CHANGING LANDSCAPE: Many of the part-time programs for educators were no longer needed, as many teachers obtain a graduate degree before joining the workforce, experts said Taiwanese universities this year canceled 86 programs, Ministry of Education data showed, with educators attributing the closures to the nation’s low birthrate as well as shifting trends. Fifty-three of the shuttered programs were part-time postgraduate degree programs, about 62 percent of the total, the most in the past five years, the data showed. National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) discontinued the most part-time master’s programs, at 16: chemistry, life science, earth science, physics, fine arts, music, special education, health promotion and health education, educational psychology and counseling, education, design, Chinese as a second language, library and information sciences, mechatronics engineering, history, physical education
The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday withdrew an appeal against the acquittal of a former bank manager 22 years after his death, marking Taiwan’s first instance of prosecutors rendering posthumous justice to a wrongfully convicted defendant. Chu Ching-en (諸慶恩) — formerly a manager at the Taipei branch of BNP Paribas — was in 1999 accused by Weng Mao-chung (翁茂鍾), then-president of Chia Her Industrial Co, of forging a request for a fixed deposit of US$10 million by I-Hwa Industrial Co, a subsidiary of Chia Her, which was used as collateral. Chu was ruled not guilty in the first trial, but was found guilty
Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe (李延賀) has been sentenced to three years in prison, fined 50,000 yuan (US$6,890) in personal assets and deprived political rights for one year for “inciting secession” in China, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said today. The Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court announced the verdict on Feb. 17, Chen said. The trial was conducted lawfully, and in an open and fair manner, he said, adding that the verdict has since come into legal effect. The defendant reportedly admitted guilt and would appeal within the statutory appeal period, he said, adding that the defendant and his family have
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and
RSS