Thursday, January 20, 2011

U.S.-China statement reflects consistent cross-strait policy: MAC

Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) The United States has remained consistent in its cross-Taiwan Strait policy in a U.S.-China joint statement released Thursday (Taiwan time) that highlights Taiwan's efforts to establish institutionalized negotiations with China, a Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) official said that day.

"The U.S. recognizes the establishment of cross-strait institutionalized negotiations in the statement. And that is why it encourages Taiwan and China to set up more lines of communication, " said Liu Te-shun, vice minister of the MAC -- Taiwan's China policy-making agency, referring to the statement released during Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to Washington.

In the statement, the U.S. applauds the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed by Taiwan and China last June and welcomes the "new lines of communication" that have developed between them.

The U.S. also states that it looks forward to efforts by both sides of the strait to increase dialogue and interaction in "economic, political and other fields."

Liu did not say whether the U.S. is trying to help speed up the process of cross-strait exchanges and encourage the two sides to start political talks. He also played down the importance of the term "new lines of communication."

Liu said Taiwan's government focuses on economic affairs and pragmatic issues in its dealings with China, leaving political matters aside.

Comparing the new joint statement and the one issued during U.S. President Barack Obama's 2009 visit to China, Liu said U.S. policy on cross-strait issues remains consistent, as it follows Washington's one China policy and abides by the principles of the three U.S.-China Joint Communiques.

Obama did highlight the institutionalized cross-strait negotiations as a good foundation for bilateral engagement, Liu said, adding that the U.S. has also expressed its expectations for the development of cross-strait relations in a "more active way." (By Chris Wang) ENDITEM/J