TAIPEI -- Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou said on Thursday that experiences over the past 23 years have shown that the 1992 Consensus has been the key to the development of relations across the Taiwan Strait.
"By adhering to the 1992 Consensus, cross-strait relations are bound to flourish. Divergence is sure to result in deterioration. And opposing the Consensus is sure to create turmoil," Ma said while addressing a forum on the past and future of cross-Strait relations.
In reflecting on development over the past seven years, both sides of the Strait have embarked on a peaceful path, featuring positive interactions on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, Ma said.
The core of the 1992 Consensus is the acknowledgment that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China.
Ma acknowledged the 1992 Consensus is not a cure-all, but said experiences in peaceful development of cross-Strait ties in the seven years since he became Taiwan leader have shown that the Consensus is pragmatic and inclusive.
Hailing it as an important consensus acknowledged by various parties, Ma said the 1992 Consensus enabled the two sides to go from the brink of war to cooperation and exchanges.
Some people in Taiwan still hold differing views regarding the 1992 Consensus and propose to establish a new basis for the conduct of cross-Strait relations, Ma said.
However, no matter what happens inside of Taiwan or during cross-Strait interactions, none of the ideas proposed have gained support in Taiwan or the Chinese mainland, Ma said, adding that the 1992 Consensus remains the most popular one so far.
Relations between the mainland and Taiwan stalled when the Kuomintang (KMT) forces, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan in 1949 after civil war. Cross-Strait ties have improved after KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou won Taiwan's leadership election in 2008, with dozens of agreements of cooperation signed.
