The Beijing News:

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Consensus. Since coming to power, the DPP authorities have refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus. The mainland has been in a fierce struggle with the DPP authorities over upholding or denying the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus. What is the major significance of the mainland always upholding the 1992 Consensus? Thank you.

Ma Xiaoguang:

The 1992 Consensus is the political foundation and anchor for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. The significance of the 1992 Consensus lies in that it embodies the historical fact and legal basis that the two sides both belong to one China, defines the fundamental nature of cross-Strait relations, and bears on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and interests and wellbeing of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.

We can recall together. In 1992, authorized by the two sides of the Strait, the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), through the meeting in Hong Kong and subsequent correspondence, reached the common understanding that each should express verbally that both sides of the Taiwan Strait adhere to the one-China principle, later named the 1992 Consensus. The historical fact about the two sides reaching the 1992 Consensus is very clear. The content of the consensus consists of two specific paragraphs with mutual recognition of both sides after negotiations. The SEF said: In the process of seeking national reunification through the joint efforts of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, both sides adhere to the one-China principle but have different understandings of the meaning of one China. The ARATS said: Both sides of the Taiwan Strait adhere to the one-China principle and strive to pursue national reunification. But in cross-Strait talks on routine affairs, the political meaning of one China will not be touched upon. In these two paragraphs, both sides stated their basic stance that they stick to the one-China principle and pursue national reunification. The key point is that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and work together toward national reunification. With regard to the political meaning of one China, SEF said both sides have different understandings, while ARATS said in cross-Strait talks on routine affairs, [it] will not be touched upon. The two sides sought common ground while reserving differences. The key to reaching the consensus lies in that both sides clearly stated their attitudes on the major issue of principle that both sides uphold the one-China principle, and at the same time, properly handled differences. The consensus demonstrates the political wisdom of seeking common ground while reserving differences and is a valuable asset for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. 

It is based on the 1992 Consensus that the Wang-Koo meeting and a series of negotiations and consultations between the ARATS and the SEF were subsequently held, with many agreements reached to promote the development and improvement of cross-Strait relations. In February 2014, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan established regular contact and communication mechanisms on the common political foundation of joint confirmation of the 1992 Consensus, with the heads of the two departments exchanging many visits. On Nov. 7, 2015, a historic meeting between leaders of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait was held, making a joint confirmation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus. In 2016, the DPP authorities refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus after taking office and have stepped up separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence, severely impacting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

The development of the cross-Strait relations has proved time and again that upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing Taiwan independence is the common political foundation. Only based on that will the peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait relations be achieved, people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait be benefited, and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait be safeguarded. If there is any attempt to shake or even abandon this foundation, cross-Strait relations will inevitably be damaged and plunged into turmoil and the interests of compatriots on both sides of the Strait will be harmed. We hope that our fellow compatriots in Taiwan will learn the significance of the 1992 Consensus, cherish and safeguard it, and oppose and resist any separatist activities seeking Taiwan independence to propel cross-Strait relations back to the right track. Thank you.