Former Legislative speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) unveiled a new cross-strait narrative yesterday, advocating for “separate governance without division” between Taiwan and China.
“The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other in terms of governance but share sovereignty without division (兩岸治權互不隸屬,主權同而不分),” Wang said at the launch of the “Middle Way Peace Alliance” (中道和平聯盟), a cross- strait think tank.
Wang explained that his proposal acknowledges the reality that the two sides across the Taiwan Strait are governed separately while keeping avenues open for fostering peaceful relations.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
Both sides should aim to ensure the safety and well-being of their people while respecting each other’s political systems and ways of life, he said, calling for a pragmatic approach that acknowledges both history and current realities.
It was not clear whether Wang’s formula was meant to replace the KMT’s existing stance or the so-called”1992 consensus.”
The “1992 consensus” refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party that both sides of the Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party has never accepted the “1992 consensus.”
Wang said that cross-strait relations, which once seemed to hold the promise of peace, have encountered many uncertainties in recent years and are now considered by international experts as a potential flashpoint for military conflict.
He attributed this to not only rapid global changes and ideological constraints, but also misunderstandings caused by the stagnation of cross-strait exchanges, adding that his proposal could help facilitate dialogue.
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