Taiwan Slams China's 'Cheap Trick' 10-Point Plan for Cross-Strait Exchange

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has strongly denounced China's recent announcement of 10 measures aimed at fostering cross-strait exchange. MAC Vice Chairman Shen Yu-chung characterized these policies, unveiled following the meeting between KMT Chairwoman Johnny Chiang and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as a "cheap trick" and a desperate attempt by Beijing to achieve its political objectives of "unification and integration" with Taiwan. Shen asserted that these are merely "old wine in old bottles," signifying Beijing's lack of new ideas and its continued reliance on political preconditions.

The MAC highlighted that issues such as agricultural and fishery product exports to China, tourism, and flight routes have historically been subject to official cross-strait consultation mechanisms. Beijing's unilateral suspension of these talks or refusal to implement agreements, driven by political considerations, has eroded trust. Taiwan views China's current offer of goodwill as disingenuous, especially its insistence on the "1992 Consensus" and opposition to "Taiwan independence" as prerequisites for any discussion on agricultural and fishery exports.

This tactic, described by the MAC as a "raise, trap, and kill" strategy, is seen not as beneficial but as detrimental to Taiwan's interests. Furthermore, the MAC pointed out that even as Beijing promotes these so-called "peaceful and beneficial" measures, its military continues to harass Taiwan's airspace and conduct live-fire drills. This dual approach of coercion and appeasement is viewed as an attempt to use opposition parties as pawns to achieve united front goals and divide Taiwanese society.

The MAC reiterated that the "1992 Consensus," with its "one country, two systems" and "one China principle," has been overwhelmingly rejected by the Taiwanese public. Accepting Beijing's latest "gift package" would undermine Taiwan's sovereignty and its democratic way of life. The council urged Beijing to engage in direct dialogue with Taiwan's elected government through normal channels, without imposing political prerequisites, and cautioned Taiwanese political parties against becoming conduits for Beijing's united front operations.