Overseas media, experts voice worries over Tsai Ing-wen's equivocation

Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. [Photo/IC]

BEIJING - Overseas observers and media have voiced worries over new Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's failure in her inauguration speech on Friday to clearly acknowledge the 1992 Consensus on the one-China principle, the political cornerstone of cross-Strait relations.

They called on Taiwan authorities to put the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait above all and take concrete measures to safeguard peace and stability across the Strait.

In her Friday's speech, Tsai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said she respected "the historical fact that the two institutions representing each side across the Taiwan Strait reached joint acknowledgements and common understandings in 1992 through communication and negotiations."

As the mainland and Tsai's predecessor have acknowledged, the 1992 Consensus embodies the common understanding that both sides of the Taiwan Strait uphold the one-China principle. The consensus has explicitly defined the nature of cross-Strait relations.

Nasser Abdel-Aal, professor of Chinese studies at Egypt's Ain Shams University, said Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

"Although a small number of countries have been fanning pro-independence sentiments in Taiwan, they cannot stop the trend of cross-Strait reunification," said the expert.

He urged Taiwan's new leader to shoulder the responsibility she skirted in the speech, and acknowledge and stick to the 1992 Consensus so as to realize the stable growth of cross-Strait ties and effectively improve Taiwan's economy and people's livelihood.

Bambang Suryono, president of the Jakarta-based Nanyang ASEAN Foundation, said in an article that Tsai's ambiguous attitude in her speech has turned the favorable environment for peaceful growth of cross-Strait ties into a complex and grave situation.

He called on Taiwan authorities to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus, maintain policies on growing a peaceful and friendly cross-Strait relationship and be dedicated to the country's peaceful reunification.

Veteran strategist and retired Indian Army Lt. General Ramesh Chopra said the Taiwan situation is crucial for stability in the Asia-Pacific and is closely related to the situation in the South China Sea.

Therefore, it is very important to maintain normal political dialogue across the Strait, he said. "Any action that harms cross-Strait relations and stability in the Taiwan Strait would be detrimental."

Xulio Rios, director of the Spanish Observatory of Chinese Politics, said in an article that the new Taiwan leader's failure to be clear on the nature of cross-Strait relations has sparked worries, urging Tsai to properly handle this issue.