President Lai: Non-subordination of cross-strait relations is a fact, '1992 Consensus' cannot solve problems

(Central News Agency, Taipei, 20th) President Lai Ching-te said today that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China. "This is an ironclad fact," he stated, adding that the "1992 Consensus" cannot solve cross-strait problems, let alone achieve the goals demanded by the Taiwanese people. President Lai delivered a speech marking the second anniversary of his administration at the Presidential Office this morning and took questions from the media. In response to the Kuomintang's call for the government to return to the "1992 Consensus" and oppose Taiwan independence following a meeting between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Lai stated that the non-subordination between the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China, and the fact that Taiwan is not part of the PRC, "is an ironclad fact" and is internationally recognized. President Lai also said that military procurement is a necessary means to maintain Taiwan's security and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is determined to defend its own country and to safeguard regional peace and stability. He added that U.S. President Trump has also repeatedly stated publicly that the U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed and that he would make a decision soon. Regarding the "1992 Consensus," President Lai said that if the Kuomintang carefully examines its various definitions by Chinese President Xi Jinping, it would be clear that in China's national policy, the so-called "1992 Consensus" is the "One China Principle," and the Taiwan plan is "one country, two systems." This not only means abandoning national sovereignty but also sacrificing Taiwan's democratic and free way of life, which will not be accepted by the people. Therefore, the "1992 Consensus" cannot solve cross-strait problems, let alone achieve the goals demanded by the Taiwanese people.