SEF-ARATS Communication Halted for 10 Years Due to Beijing's Political Preconditions, MAC Says

(CNA, Taipei, May 21, by reporter Li Ya-wen) The communication mechanism between Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and mainland China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) has been suspended for a full 10 years. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today that the reason for the suspension is that the other side set unacceptable political preconditions, and it was their decision to halt the mechanism. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) held its regular press conference this afternoon, chaired by Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh. Liang stated, "As everyone knows, the reason for the suspension is that the other side set political preconditions and insisted that Taiwan accept them. For our government, these political preconditions are unacceptable, so the suspension was their decision." He said that although communication between the SEF and ARATS has not been smooth in recent years, there are still many matters that both sides need to handle together, and some existing contact mechanisms are still in place. Liang said that both sides can start with practical matters, resolving pressing issues and topics related to people's livelihood and daily life. As for political matters, if both sides have their own stances, it is fine to set them aside for now. However, practical matters require more communication and resolution, which would be a blessing for both sides. Liang emphasized that he certainly does not want to see the stalemate in SEF-ARATS communication continue. Therefore, in terms of cross-strait exchanges, the goal is to allow more interaction between people from both sides under safe and controllable conditions. He also hopes for stable progress in economy, trade, and people's livelihood. The Chinese Communist Party's insistence that Taiwan accept political preconditions is disagreeable to the majority of Taiwanese people, a point substantiated by the MAC's long-term public opinion polls. The continued suspension of the SEF-ARATS communication mechanism is due to the political preconditions set by ARATS. After then-President Tsai Ing-wen took office, ARATS immediately issued a statement on May 21, 2016, titled "The Person-in-Charge's Stance on the Future Authorized Negotiations and Communication Mechanism between the Two Associations." ARATS stated at the time, "Our position and sincerity in promoting cross-strait consultations and negotiations on the basis of the 1992 Consensus will not change. As long as the SEF is authorized to confirm to ARATS its adherence to the '1992 Consensus,' the political foundation that embodies the one-China principle, the authorized negotiation and communication mechanism between the two associations can be maintained."