Tried-and-true consensus still the cross-Straits basis

Asked whether it has studied a mainland scholar's recent suggestion that Beijing may not oppose a "creative alternative" to the 1992 Consensus, Katherine Chang, the director of Taiwan's mainland affairs council, replied, "Yes of course", her institution is focusing on "breaking the present impasse".

Via authorized semi-official representatives, a historic cross-Straits consensus was reached in 1992 in which both sides agreed to the principle of one China.

While easing the historical enmity and injecting unprecedented warmth into cross-Straits interaction, the 1992 Consensus has been a thorn in the flesh for the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party under Tsai Ing-wen. Cross-Taiwan Straits ties have been in deep freeze since Tsai became the island's leader in May because of her refusal to embrace the 1992 Consensus.