Few Taiwanese would fully accept the so-called “1992 consensus” as Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) defined it last week, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday.
Xi in a speech on Wednesday last week called for unification under the “one country, two systems” formula and defined the “1992 consensus” as being based on the “one China” principle.
Xi’s definition of the “1992 consensus” contrasted with that provided over the years by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), which has maintained that it allows room for Taiwan to interpret “China” as being the Republic of China (ROC).
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
Asked about the different definitions of the “1992 consensus,” Ko said: “Then it means that there is no consensus.”
“The mainland recently announced its version of what the ‘1992 consensus’ means, but after Taiwanese learned about it, I think very few people would be willing to fully accept it,” he said.
Asked whether he supports the “four musts” put forward by Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) as conditions for cross-strait ties, Ko said his support is not important.
The government should try to act on its proposals and let the public decide whether it supports them, Ko said.
Tsai in a speech said that China must face the reality of the existence of the ROC; must respect the commitment of 23 million Taiwanese to freedom and democracy; and must handle cross-strait differences peacefully, on a basis of equality; and governments or government-authorized agencies must carry out cross-strait negotiations.
Taiwan is stepping up plans to create self-sufficient supply chains for combat drones and increase foreign orders from the US to counter China’s numerical superiority, a defense official said on Saturday. Commenting on condition of anonymity, the official said the nation’s armed forces are in agreement with US Admiral Samuel Paparo’s assessment that Taiwan’s military must be prepared to turn the nation’s waters into a “hellscape” for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Paparo, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, reiterated the concept during a Congressional hearing in Washington on Wednesday. He first coined the term in a security conference last
Prosecutors today declined to say who was questioned regarding alleged forgery on petitions to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators, after Chinese-language media earlier reported that members of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Youth League were brought in for questioning. The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau confirmed that two people had been questioned, but did not disclose any further information about the ongoing investigation. KMT Youth League members Lee Hsiao-liang (李孝亮) and Liu Szu-yin (劉思吟) — who are leading the effort to recall DPP caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) and Legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶) — both posted on Facebook saying: “I
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,912) for advertisements that exceed its approved business scope, requiring the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license may be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter enforcement of Chinese e-commerce platforms and measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan in response to US President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on China. The Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee met today to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), who led efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), was released on bail of NT$80,000 today amid outcry over his decision to wear a Nazi armband to questioning the night before. Sung arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning in a recall petition forgery case last night wearing a red armband bearing a swastika, carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and giving a Nazi salute. Sung left the building at 1:15am without the armband and covering the book with his coat. Lee said today that this is a serious