The recent meeting between President Ma Ying-jeou and mainland Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Singapore affirms the existence of the Republic of China as an objective fact, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today after being briefed by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on the landmark meeting.
The two sides' realization of "mutual non-recognition of sovereignty and mutual non-denial of authority to govern" has also helped maintain the peaceful status quo for the past seven years and paved the way for more stable and institutionalized cross-strait ties, Mao added.
Noting that today is the 150th anniversary of the birth of ROC founding father Sun Yat-sen, Mao said the Singapore talks marked a historic milestone as the first meeting between leaders of Taiwan and mainland China since the two sides split in 1949. Premier Mao thanked and commended officials from the MAC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their hard work in facilitating the meeting.
During the historic meeting, President Ma raised many issues important to the people of Taiwan and received positive responses from the mainland. As for domestic concerns over the talks, the premier directed the MAC to step up communication with the public. The council should also work with related agencies to follow up on consensuses reached during the meeting so as to further promote peaceful cross-strait development.