DPP: China Must Respect, Not Entice or Divide, the Choices of the Taiwanese People

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) today issued a press release, with Li Kun-cheng stating that the focus of the Zheng-Xi meeting is not on what was said, but on what was actually done. Whether Beijing conveys genuine goodwill to the Taiwanese people through this meeting hinges on whether, from now on, Chinese military aircraft and warships cease their harassment, Beijing stops suppressing Taiwan's international participation, and Taiwan no longer experiences infiltration and sabotage from China. These are the true signals of goodwill and peace.

He further stated that Beijing's definition of the '1992 Consensus' is essentially 'One China' and 'One Country, Two Systems'. Taiwan will absolutely not accept 'One Country, Two Systems', and Taiwanese public opinion firmly opposes 'One Country, Two Systems', which is also the 'Taiwan Consensus'.

Li Kun-cheng said that China must face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) instead of denying the democratic national system jointly established by the Taiwanese people; China must respect the 23 million people's adherence to freedom and democracy, instead of intervening in the choices of the Taiwanese people through division and enticement.

He pointed out that differences between the two sides must be handled in a peaceful and equal manner, not through suppression and intimidation, attempting to make Taiwanese people yield; it must be the government or public authority agencies authorized by the government that sit down for talks. Any political consultation not authorized and supervised by the people cannot be called 'democratic consultation'. This is Taiwan's stance, and it is the stance of democracy.

Li Kun-cheng emphasized that Taiwan is the Taiwan of the Taiwanese people, and it is Taiwan of the world. The Taiwan Strait is not a nationalist's inland sea, but a free waterway for a prosperous world. As a democratic country, Taiwan is willing to cooperate with all freedom-loving and democratic countries worldwide, jointly committed to overall peace, happiness, and prosperity. (Edited by Lin Hsing-meng) 1150410