What you need to know
Ma pointed out that the reason he could not talk about the “two China principle,” the “one China, one Taiwan principle” or the "independence of Taiwan” in the meeting is the ROC Constitution does not allow him to do so and he was speaking as the President of the ROC.
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After the Ma-Xi meeting, President Ma pointed out in an international press conference that he brought up the “1992 Consensus” to President Xi.
In the consensus, both sides agreed on the “one China principle,” which allowed the two sides to interpret what “one China” is based on their own definitions.
A journalist pointed out in the press conference that Ma brought up the 1992 Consensus, but Xi did not reply to it. Ma responds, both sides reached an understanding of the “one China principle” in 1992 and the content of the 1992 Consensus was described clearly in the newspapers back then. Both sides also talked about this openly during the Ma-Xi meeting.
Ma also pointed out that the reason he could not talk about the “two China principle,” the “one China, one Taiwan principle” or the “independence of Taiwan” in the meeting is the ROC Constitution does not allow him to do so and he was speaking as the President of the ROC.
In addition, Ma’s name card on the table at the press conference had the ROC flag printed on it as well as the title, “president.”
Excerpts of Ma’s press conference after the Ma-Xi meeting:
Q: You proposed to Mr. Xi to remove the missiles pointing towards Taiwan and dismiss “one China, respective interpretations,” but Xi did not accept the proposal. Did Xi’s response meet your set expectations?
A: The “1992 Consensus” has been off track for eight years. I appealed for both sides to focus on the “1992 Consensus,” and China insisted on the “one China policy” while Taiwan clung to “one China, respective interpretations.” The 1992 Consensus is not an agreement or a treaty, but has space for both sides. Therefore we need to maintain an honest and practical attitude towards each other for future discussions.
Q: Will you stay focused on the outcome of the Ma-Xi meeting? Will it make a huge difference if the next president of Taiwan does not admit the “1992 Consensus?”
A: Some foreign friends feel that the “1992 Consensus” is vague, but what matters is if it can solve the problem. Before coming to Singapore, some journalists asked me if I would bring up the name, “ROC.” And today I said the reason I could not talk about the “two China principle,” the “one China, one Taiwan principle” or the “independence of Taiwan” is the ROC Constitution does not allow me to do so. Regarding these standpoints, I stood firmly in my position as the President of ROC.
Translated by June
Edited by Olivia Yang
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