Mainland spokesman tells Taiwan: no room for obscurity

A mainland spokesman for Taiwan affairs on Wednesday said there is "absolutely no room for obscurity over... the political basis and nature of ties between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan."

An Fengshan, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a regular press conference in Beijing.

He was referring to the 1992 Consensus, the political basis of cross-Strait relations, which affirms that both sides of the Strait belong to one China.

He said the Taiwanese authorities must be clear about this "fundamental" issue, adding that all the "play of words" and procrastination would not help circumvent it.

"Adherence to the 1992 Consensus is key to the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties," An said.

He went on to say that Taiwanese leaders' "correct understanding of the nature of cross-Strait ties" is the mainland's "touchstone for their so-called goodwill."

"Goodwill should be demonstrated with action, not words," he continued.

An said China's national reunification is a "historical inevitability as the Chinese nation marches toward its great rejuvenation."

"Both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to the one same China," he said, adding that cross-Strait ties are not "country-to-country-type" relations.

As for longstanding political differences between the two sides, An said the settlement should not be put off "from one generation to another," but should be dealt with through cross-Strait consultation under the one-China principle.

He said correct decisions must be made on key issues concerning the future of both side of the Taiwan Strait and their people.

The ball is now in the court of the Taiwanese authorities who must "either choose to sit down for talks, or choose confrontation," he said.