Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-10-19

The deputy minister of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Lin Cheng-yi, says China’s

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China, gave a lengthy speech at the party’s 19th National Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday, October 18. (Photo/CNA)

top leader Xi Jinping adopts both hard and soft tactics in talking about Taiwan. Lin was speaking Thursday after Xi gave a three-and-a-half-hour speech at the Communist Party’s 19th National Congress on Wednesday. The MAC is the government body responsible for charting China policy.

Lin said the MAC has been closely following issues concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao contained in Xi’s speech. Lin said Xi opposed Taiwan’s independence but also said he hoped Taiwan and China can collaborate more. He cited issues including the fight against drugs, pornography, gambling and organized crime. Lin said Xi is acting tough but talking soft.

Lin said, “What was said at the 19th National Congress concerning cross-strait relations was not new. It is a continuation of the cross-strait policy from when Xi first took office. There are both soft and hard tactics that he’s taking. In his speech, he did not mention using force. He’s acting tough but talking soft at the same time.”
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