Taiwan politician's 'constructive ambiguity' claim slammed

A mainland spokeswoman on Taiwan affairs on Saturday denounced the so-called constructive ambiguity put forward by a Taiwan politician on handling ties between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, saying the island is insincere in improving cross-Straits relations.

Reiterating the importance of adhering to the 1992 Consensus, Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said, "If the so-called constructive ambiguity is used to deny that both sides belong to one and the same China, it will only prove that the island's authorities continue to play word games and double-sided tactics."

Her remarks came after the new head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, Chiu Tai-san, claimed on Thursday that the mainland and the island should extend communication with a so-called constructive ambiguity.

Constructive ambiguity is a term generally credited to former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger. It refers to the deliberate use of ambiguous language on a sensitive issue in order to advance some political purpose.

Chiu claimed that the 1992 Consensus has caused controversy in Taiwan and it's "unfair and unjust" for the mainland to continue to adhere to the political premise in cross-Straits exchanges, at a news conference in Taipei.

He called on the mainland to "abandon the political framework and confrontational measures imposed on Taiwan," respect each other and resolve the issue through pragmatic dialogue.

The 1992 Consensus was reached by the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, with its process and content clearly documented. On that basis, the two sides launched consultations and negotiations, opened peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Zhu said the 1992 Consensus is important because it embodies the one-China principle, clearly defines the nature of cross-Straits relations and lays the foundation for cross-Straits consultation on an equal footing.

"Facts have proved that it has been confirmed by the two and enjoys public support. It is an anchor for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations," she added.

Since the Tsai Ing-wen-led Democratic Progressive Party took power on the island in 2016, the island administration unilaterally denied the 1992 Consensus and refused to recognize its core meaning, the one-China policy.

"The DPP attempts to change the legal principle and fact that both sides of the Straits belong to one and the same China and the situation of peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, which is the root cause of tension and turbulence in cross-Straits relations," Zhu said.

"Since 1992, contacts and exchanges between the two sides have been conducted on this basis, fully demonstrating the spirit of consultation on an equal footing. How can it be unfair and unjust?" she said.

"It's impossible for the DPP authorities to take a conciliatory stance while continuing to confront the mainland," she added.

Zhu called on the DPP to take concrete actions, stop creating hostility, stop any provocation for "independence", and adhere to the 1992 Consensus.