Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen calls for ‘meaningful’ dialogue with mainland China
- Despite Tsai’s comments, Beijing is unlikely to budge because she has not accepted the one-China principle
- Tsai uses address to mark Double Tenth holiday to say both sides should look for ways to coexist in peace
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen called on Saturday for “meaningful dialogue” with mainland China as long as it was willing to resolve antagonisms and improve cross-strait relations.
She also said a solid defence capability is the only way to guarantee Taiwan’s security and maintain regional peace.
But some observers said it was unlikely that the mainland would accept her offer because she had made no reference to the one-China principle that Beijing insists must be the basis for talks between the two sides.
In her address for the Double Tenth holiday on Saturday, which marks the foundation of the Republic of China, Tsai said the most pressing cross-strait issue was to discuss how the two sides can live in peace and coexist based on mutual respect, goodwill and understanding.
“As long as the Beijing authorities are willing to resolve antagonisms and improve cross-strait relations, while parity and dignity are maintained, we are willing to work together to facilitate meaningful dialogue,” she said, adding this is what the people of Taiwan want.
