Considering that the democratic principle of respecting the people's right to determine their own future should be honored, and
Considering that China continues to connive to unilaterally alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait via non-peaceful means such as military intimidation and its so-called "Anti-Separation Law,"
At a high-level national security conference, the following decisions were made based upon reports and suggestions by the National Security Council, and the discussions amongst related agencies of the government.
The National Unification Council will cease to function. No budget will be earmarked for it, and its personnel must return to their original posts. The National Unification Guidelines will cease to apply. In accordance with procedures, this decision will be transmitted to the Executive Yuan for notice.
I want to thank all chiefs of related agencies and my colleagues for your dedication and efforts during the past few weeks. What we have done today is not only for preserving Taiwan's freedom, democracy, human rights, and the peaceful status quo, but also for safeguarding the right and freewill to choose of the 23 million Taiwan people. I firmly believe that the future history and the people of Taiwan will be the best witnesses.
In the meantime, for ensuring our national security, promoting our people's welfare, and preserving the regional peace and stability, we would like to state that:
1.) Taiwan would like to express its deep gratitude for President Bush's remarks in his 2005 Kyoto Speech, reiterating that the United States values the friendly partnership between it and Taiwan, and applauding Taiwan's democracy and prosperity. We also appreciate learning that the United States looks forward to continued cooperation with Taiwan on issues of mutual interest.
2.) Taiwan has no intention of changing the status quo and strongly opposes its alteration by non-peaceful means. In addition, we would like to thank the international community for its continued support of maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
3.) Ceasing the function of the National Unification Council as well as ceasing the application of the National Unification Guidelines do not involve changing the status quo. Instead, they are based solely on the democratic principle of respecting the people's right to determine their own future. As long as the principle of democracy is honored and the freewill to choose by Taiwan's 23 million people is respected, we will not exclude any possible form of future development of cross-strait relations. We are, however, adamant that no one set preconditions or give an ultimate goal regarding the people's right to choose.
4.) The spirit of constitutional reform must incorporate the people's will before any political party can adopt a position; therefore, reform must be enacted from the bottom up and from the outside in. Constitutional amendments also have to follow current constitutional procedures in that approval must be attained by three-fourths of Legislative Yuan members and be confirmed through a national referendum. Any sovereignty issue that strays from constitutional proceedings not only fails to contribute to maintaining the status quo, but also should be disregarded.
5.) In order for the people to achieve prosperity and develop positive cross-strait relations, both sides must actively seek to establish an interactive and effective mechanism of exchange based on government-to-government negotiation and dialogue. In this manner, we can eliminate differences, build mutual trust and resolve problems.
6.) The people of Taiwan have the right and obligation to participate in the international community on an equal footing. We are more than willing to play an active and responsible role as a contributor to the global democratic community. On many occasions China has unilaterally curbed Taiwan's international space and involvement in the world. This not only violates the universal values of freedom, democracy and human rights, but also adversely affects goodwill between the peoples of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. China's actions contribute nothing to the development of stable cross-strait relations.
7.) In order to ensure Taiwan's national security and prevent the military balance in the Taiwan Strait from tilting in China's favor, Taiwan will actively fortify its determination and ability to defend itself. In turn, this will help protect the status quo, Taiwan's democracy, freedom and peace from being unilaterally altered.