THREE BULWARKS: President Tsai Ing-wen’s new formula appears to be an attempt to create a new starting point for cross-strait relations after criticism over her ‘status quo’
Taipei Times
Date: Jan 02, 2019
By: Su Yung-yao and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNA
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday proposed “four musts” as the basis for
Members of the public and students from several military academies wave national flags at the New Year flag-raising ceremony in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei yesterday morning. Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
moving cross-strait relations in a positive direction, vowing to establish mechanisms to safeguard Taiwan’s national security.
China must recognize the existence of the Republic of China; respect the values of democracy and freedom Taiwan’s 23 million people hold dear; resolve cross-strait differences in a peaceful and equitable manner; and engage in negotiations with the government of Taiwan or an institution with a mandate from the government, Tsai said in her New Year’s Day speech.
These “four musts” are the vital basis for positive development of cross-strait relations, she said.
The new formula appeared to be an attempt by Tsai to create a new starting point for relations with China, which have been at a standstill since her inauguration because of Beijing’s decision to cut off official communication with her administration.
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