Policy is to consolidate ties with Taiwan

A reporter from Taiwan's CTI television asks a question during a press conference in Beijing, March 16, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

At a press conference on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang again addressed the importance of 1992 Consensus, echoing top leader Xi Jinping's remarks earlier this month at a panel discussion on the significance of the consensus, which explicitly describe the nature of cross-Straits relations and are crucial to the long-term development of cross-Straits ties.

In his remarks made at the discussion with Shanghai delegation, Xi warned against the elements seeking "Taiwan independence", saying the tragedy of national secession will never be allowed.

Li, too, has said that the mainland will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus as the political foundation of cross-Straits ties and promote exchanges in diverse fields with Taiwan compatriots.

In fact, mainland leaders have been reiterating the importance of the 1992 Consensus for cross-Straits affairs. Apart from the historic 1992 Consensus, this time Xi also stressed the consistency and clarity of the mainland's cross-Straits policy, signaling a timely response to "the change in Taiwan's political situation".

Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party, won the island's leadership election in January and is scheduled to take office in May. Yet she remains ambiguous about her stance on the 1992 Consensus, only expressing her wish to "maintain the status quo" in cross-Straits relations.

Over the past eight years, under the leadership of Kuomintang, Taiwan has seen an increasing number of benign exchanges with the mainland. That explains why some have expressed concern over whether the mainland would compromise its stance on the 1992 Consensus after the DPP assumes power.