22 October 2024
Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Secretary-General Luo Wen-jia stated on Monday that a proposed new framework for cross-Taiwan Strait dialogue, aimed at replacing the “1992 consensus,” could help resolve the “unhealthy” deadlock with China.
On Oct. 15, during a visit to the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands near China’s Fujian Province, Luo suggested that Taiwan and China explore a “Two Six Consensus” at the “Nangan 26 Stronghold” as an alternative to the “1992 consensus.”
However, the following day, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua responded in Beijing, stating that the “1992 consensus” remains the “clear path” and dismissing the need for a “Two Six Consensus.”
In a radio interview on Monday, Luo said that while China’s rejection of the new framework was expected, “we should not lose hope.”
Luo emphasized that long-term estrangement is unhealthy for both sides and that dialogue remains the only viable solution. He added that this motivation underpinned both his proposal and his recent gesture of offering a pair of sika deer to China.
While the SEF “will always keep its door open for cross-strait negotiations,” any damage to the Republic of China’s sovereignty and Taiwan’s core principles of freedom and democracy is nonnegotiable, Luo said.
He added that using a “nonexistent” framework, not mutually accepted by both parties, as the foundation for discussions on cross-strait relations for the next 30 or even 300 years is inappropriate.
The “1992 consensus” refers to a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between the Kuomintang (KMT) government of the Republic of China (ROC) and the Chinese government. The KMT has consistently interpreted this as both sides recognizing “one China,” but with each free to define what “China” means.
Beijing has never publicly acknowledged the second part of the KMT’s interpretation, while the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has never accepted the “1992 consensus.”
The DPP argues that Beijing does not allow space for the ROC’s interpretation of “China,” and that accepting this so-called “consensus” would imply agreement with China’s claim over Taiwan.
The SEF is a semi-official body appointed by Taiwan’s government to manage technical matters involving China.
