Ma Xiaoguang Photo: cnsphoto

Any party and individual that's devoted to developing cross-Straits ties should keep a clear mind, keep the right direction, and stand on the right side of history in major issues of the relations, Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said after Eric Chu Li-luan, chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) Party, said the KMT has always been pro-US and called the 1992 Consensus a "no-consensus" consensus.

During a speech at a think tank event in Washington, DC Monday, Chu said that KMT has always been pro-US and that the party continues to fight against communism and compete with the Communist Party of China over values and political systems.

He also said the 1992 Consensus was still the "foundation" and "key" for engagement with Beijing. But added that "It's 'no consensus' consensus ... We [Chinese mainland and island of Taiwan] just put those complex [issues] aside and keep moving." He claim that the consensus allows for "creative ambiguity."

His remarks were challenged by Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, who said that the 1992 Consensus is not to be distorted arbitrarily. Ma said that amid the increasingly complex and tense cross-Straits situation, any party, institute and individual who are devoted to push forward the ties should keep a clear mind, take a broad view and stand on the right side of history instead of going against it, said Ma.

Ma added that on the basis of the consensus, the Communist Party of China and KMT conducted cooperation and communication, which pushed forward the development of cross-Straits relations. 

Ma further noted that Taiwan is part of China, and cross-Straits affairs are family affairs, which should be negotiated within the family, not by outsiders. 

Global Times