The China Post
Date: September 30, 2016
By: Yuan-Ming Chiao
A Cabinet official for cross-strait affairs hinted Tuesday that China used the “1992 Consensus” as “an excuse” to bar Taiwan’s participation in this year’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) meeting in Montreal.
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Vice Chairman Chang Tian-chin was asked by reporters before a judiciary committee meeting whether Beijing’s move to blockade Taiwan’s participation at the ICAO was due to the government’s refusal to accept the “1992 Consensus.”
“When former President Ma (Ying-jeou) wanted to seek admission to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), he had accepted the ‘1992 Consensus.’ Yet the bid (to enter) was unsuccessful. I think many things are probably excuses,” Chang answered.
Taiwan’s exclusion from ICAO is the first major fallout in cross-strait relations, which have grown perceptibly chilly since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May. Beijing, which distrusts the ruling Democratic Progressive Party flatly stated earlier this week that Taiwan was not granted an invitation to the ICAO due to its failure to accept the “1992 Consensus.” [FULL STORY]