In response to new developments of Cross-Strait political and economic affairs, President Chen made a Seven-Point Statement at the conclusion of a joint meeting, attended by officials from the Office of the President, the Executive Yuan, the Democratic Progressive Party and its caucus in the Legislative Yuan. The statement was announced by Secretary General Yu Shyi-kun of the Office of the President at a press conference:
1. The Republic of China is an independent sovereign country and its sovereignty belongs to the 23 million people of Taiwan; only the 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to decide on any change pertaining to the future of Taiwan. Such statement expresses the greatest consensus within Taiwan's society, and it should be acknowledged and respected by the Beijing authority.
2. Differences between the two sides of the Strait should be resolved peacefully through dialogue. The right of the Taiwan people to choose based on free will should be respected. We strongly oppose the enactment of PRC's so-called "anti-secession law," as well as their intention to use "undemocratic" and "non-peaceful" means to resolve Cross-Strait disputes.
3. Taiwan is already a constitutional democracy, with its own popularly elected government. In regards to Cross-Strait affairs involving national sovereignty or the exercise of government authority, any political party, organization, or individual does not have the power to represent the Taiwan people and substitute itself for the government authority. Cross-strait exchanges should abide by existing laws and regulations; related governmental agencies should handle—in accordance with law—those who enter a contractual relation, without permission or authorization, with a foreign government, the other side of the Strait, or with representatives of the aforementioned entities.
4. The Government espouses the principle of "reconciliation but not flinching, standing firm yet avoid confrontation" in addressing Cross-Strait issues and in improving Cross-Strait relations. In response to the PRC's consistent repudiation of our sovereignty and our government—as tactic manipulations to divide Taiwan and to confuse international discourse, and also in response to the intentional or unintentional cooperation by certain political party or political figures from Taiwan, the Executive branch must react promptly, in an unequivocal and determined manner.
5. Competition amongst political parties is a democratic normalcy; however, the nation's collective interests and the people's highest welfare must take precedence over party interests or individual's gains and looses. Particularly with regard to contacts, dialogue and consultations pertaining to Cross-Strait affairs, we should first consolidate consensus between the governing and opposition parties, and amongst our people; only by so doing can we unite in solidarity to outwardly seek the greatest welfare for our nation and our people. The President expresses his willingness to invite leaders from the governing and opposition parties to a joint meeting, so as to avoid a successive zeal for Mainland China from harming the dignity and interests of Taiwan.
6. The Government should adhere to conclusions of the "Economic Development Advisory Council" and "Da-Si Meeting" to effectively carry out the following Cross-Strait economic policies: "richly cultivating Taiwan while reaching out to the world" and "proactive liberalization with effective management;" we should also aggressively realize "Taiwan first, Economy first, Investment first, and Invest in Taiwan first," so as to safeguard the economic lifeline of Taiwan. We must not proceed hastily with liberalization while neglecting the most fundamental and most important part of our policy—that of "effective management." The national security agencies and the Executive branch should promptly reassess and make adjustments to relevant economic and trade policies. In regards to matters concerning Cross-Strait agriculture and the service industry, we should conduct consultations in accordance with the regulations and mechanisms set forth by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
7. The greatest divide between the two sides of the Strait is not our political separation; instead, it is the contest between the "democratic" and the "non-democratic." If Beijing authority intends to bridge the distance between peoples on both sides of the Strait, it should not bequeath petty incentives to Taiwan under an "undemocratic system;" instead, it should think about how to transform itself from authoritarianism to true democracy. In addition, Beijing authority should seriously consider that as an emerging great power, it should become a defender of international peace, rather than an aggressor that undermines international order through non-peaceful means.