Using 'Macau formula' in cross-strait talks is unacceptable: premier

The premier said the consensus has paved the way for systematic cross-Taiwan Strait talks, ensured peaceful and stable cross strait development and allowed peoples on both sides to enjoy stability and prosperity.

The 1992 consensus refers to a tacit understanding reached in a meeting in 1992 under which Taiwan and China agree that there is only “one China” but can have different interpretations of what that means.

“The 1992 consensus should be the proper principle for handling cross strait talks,” the premier said.

“With that consensus reached, we have been able to put aside the sensitive issue of sovereignty, and develop economic, trade, cultural, sports and tourism exchanges to eliminate differences and forge common ground,” he said.

He said the “Macau formula” proposed by Joseph Wu, a former head of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and a former representative to the United States under the DPP administration, would be unfavorable to the development of cross-strait ties.

“We are afraid if the formula were to be adopted, the role of the 1992 consensus would be lowered, which is something we cannot imagine and cannot accept,” he said.

Wu suggested that Taiwan and China could adopt the “Macau formula” in future negotiations if opposition DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen were to win next January's presidential election.

A senior MAC official said a day earlier that the so-called “Macau formula” would be a step back in the development of cross-strait relations.

MAC Deputy Minister Liu Te-shun said that under the “Macau formula,” civic groups from each side would meet to discuss only specific issues.

He noted for example that in 2005, when the DPP was in power, the Taipei Airlines Association was assigned to meet with a civic group authorized by mainland China in Macau to negotiate the terms of the launch of chartered flights across the Taiwan Strait for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Liu said existing institutionalized talks between Taiwan and China are held on all issues and are a platform through which officials of the two sides can talk to each other directly, either on policy issues or on working-level issues.

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