Taiwan's MAC Responds to President Lai's Speech: Taiwan Not Being Part of PRC is a Fact
Following President Lai Ching-te's second-anniversary address on May 20, China's Taiwan Affairs Office reiterated that "both sides of the strait belong to one China." Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) responded that afternoon, stating that Taiwan has never been ruled by the People's Republic of China and is not part of it, which is an objective fact and the cross-strait status quo. The MAC urged Beijing to engage in dialogue without preconditions to resolve differences.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 20:04
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(CNA, Reporters Chang Shu-ling and Lee Ya-wen, Beijing-Taipei, May 20) After President Lai Ching-te delivered his second-anniversary address today, China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) reiterated that "both sides of the strait belong to one China." In response, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated this afternoon that it is an objective fact and the cross-strait status quo that Taiwan has never been ruled by the People's Republic of China (PRC), nor is it a part of it.
On the second anniversary of President Lai's term, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China's TAO, reiterated the 1992 Consensus, the principle that both sides of the strait belong to one China, and opposition to Taiwan independence at a press conference today.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated on the afternoon of the 20th that the current impasse in cross-strait relations stems from Beijing's insistence on a rigid political mindset and its unwillingness to face the fact that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. The MAC stated that Taiwan has never been ruled by the PRC and is not a part of it is an objective fact and the current status quo of the Taiwan Strait, which will not be substantively changed by the Beijing authorities' distorted narrative.
The MAC emphasized that after the "Xi's five points" in 2019, the "1992 Consensus" as defined by Beijing authorities is "both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and will work together to seek national unification," which means "one China" and "one country, two systems." This leaves no room for the existence of the Republic of China. The government will not accept it, and the Taiwanese public has long firmly rejected it.
The MAC called on the other side to pragmatically face the cross-strait reality and the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, which is to "maintain the status quo." It urged them to resolve differences through dialogue with the legally elected government without preconditions, in order to facilitate long-term peace and stability across the strait.
President Lai delivered his second-anniversary address at the Presidential Office. He stated that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and preventing external forces from changing the status quo is Taiwan's national strategic goal. Taiwan is willing to engage in healthy and orderly exchanges with China on the principles of equality and dignity, but firmly rejects united front tactics that "package unification in the guise of peace."
President Lai posted on Facebook on the evening of the 17th, stating that defending the status quo of the Republic of China does not involve the issue of Taiwan independence. He has repeatedly reiterated that the Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign, independent, and democratic country, and he insists on the free and democratic constitutional system and the principle that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.
On the second anniversary of President Lai's term, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China's TAO, reiterated the 1992 Consensus, the principle that both sides of the strait belong to one China, and opposition to Taiwan independence at a press conference today.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated on the afternoon of the 20th that the current impasse in cross-strait relations stems from Beijing's insistence on a rigid political mindset and its unwillingness to face the fact that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. The MAC stated that Taiwan has never been ruled by the PRC and is not a part of it is an objective fact and the current status quo of the Taiwan Strait, which will not be substantively changed by the Beijing authorities' distorted narrative.
The MAC emphasized that after the "Xi's five points" in 2019, the "1992 Consensus" as defined by Beijing authorities is "both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and will work together to seek national unification," which means "one China" and "one country, two systems." This leaves no room for the existence of the Republic of China. The government will not accept it, and the Taiwanese public has long firmly rejected it.
The MAC called on the other side to pragmatically face the cross-strait reality and the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, which is to "maintain the status quo." It urged them to resolve differences through dialogue with the legally elected government without preconditions, in order to facilitate long-term peace and stability across the strait.
President Lai delivered his second-anniversary address at the Presidential Office. He stated that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and preventing external forces from changing the status quo is Taiwan's national strategic goal. Taiwan is willing to engage in healthy and orderly exchanges with China on the principles of equality and dignity, but firmly rejects united front tactics that "package unification in the guise of peace."
President Lai posted on Facebook on the evening of the 17th, stating that defending the status quo of the Republic of China does not involve the issue of Taiwan independence. He has repeatedly reiterated that the Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign, independent, and democratic country, and he insists on the free and democratic constitutional system and the principle that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.