Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council Opposes CCP's Formalization of 'Opposition to Taiwan Independence'

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The Chinese Communist Party has for the first time explicitly codified its firm opposition and deterrence against Taiwan independence in its Party Constitution, prompting strong backlash from Taiwan.

On the 23rd, according to Taiwan media such as China Times, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan's agency responsible for relations with mainland China, issued a written statement saying, "China must abandon its mindset of invading Taiwan and confrontation."

It further urged that differing opinions should be resolved peacefully and on equal terms, and that efforts should be made to stabilize the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

The MAC emphasized that Taiwan's cross-strait policy is very firm and resolute, stating, "We will defend national sovereignty and liberal democracy, and will neither retreat nor waver."

Rai Cheng-yi (賴正鎰), Chairman of the Taiwan National Chamber of Commerce (全國商業總會), explained that unlike in the past when China only declared policies of 'unification' and 'opposition to Taiwan independence,' this time by explicitly stating opposition to Taiwan independence, its strategy has become clearer.

He expressed concern that if tensions in cross-strait relations escalate, restrictions on agricultural and fishery product trade?which has high exports to China?will be further tightened, causing greater shock to farmers and fishermen.

Earlier, the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, the party's highest leadership and decision-making body, reviewed and unanimously passed the amendment to the Party Constitution containing this content on the closing day of the 20th Party Congress on the 22nd.

The full text of the amended Party Constitution has not been released, but the resolution of the Party Congress on the amendment stated agreement to codify in the Party Constitution "the firm opposition and deterrence against Taiwan independence."

The previous Party Constitution included the phrase "completion of the great cause of national reunification," but did not contain any content regarding opposition and deterrence against independence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.