Taiwan Consensus
Encyclopedia
The Taiwan consensus is a Taiwanese political term, which came up 2011 by then Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) chair Tsai Ing-wen
, and intends to replace the 1992 consensus
, which was the basis of negotiations between Taiwan
and the People's Republic of China
(PRC) until now.
's political views.
and preserving it. The DPP further states, that a "consensus" at the "1992 consensus" does not exists. The DPP hopes to get this process, contrary to the 1992 consensus, to be ratified by the legislation and a referendum. This new consensus should be then the basis for negotiations with the PRC.
Further Tsai states, that the Taiwan consensus "is not an ordinary problem to be decided by majority", it "is not an ordinary legislation or public issue" and "not even a purely domestic problem. Because Taiwan is domestically not yet united and has no consensus on the direction towards China, so that the Taiwanese government has no basis for negotiations with China. She hopes, that via democratic processes and the Legislative Yuan
"with all different political views [we] can find common ground", "[because] that is the true spirit of the Taiwan consensus".
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
(DPP) chair Tsai Ing-wen
Tsai Ing-wen
Tsai Ing-wen is the current chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan. Studying in Taiwan, the U.S and the U.K. Tsai earned an LL.B. from National Taiwan University, an LL.M. from Cornell University Law School and a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics....
, and intends to replace the 1992 consensus
1992 Consensus
The 1992 Consensus or Consensus of 1992 is a term describing the outcome of a meeting in 1992 between the semi-official representatives of the People's Republic of China in mainland China and the Republic of China in Taiwan...
, which was the basis of negotiations between Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(PRC) until now.
History
The term appeared first in August 2011, when DPP chair Tsai Ing-wen disclosed the point "National Security Strategy and the development of cross-strait trade" (國家安全戰略篇與兩岸經貿發展篇) at the "ten years platform" (十年政綱). Through the Taiwan consensus Tsai Ing-wen directly competes with then president Ma Ying-jeouMa Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou is the 12th term and current President of the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, and the Chairman of the Kuomintang Party, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party. He formerly served as Justice Minister from 1993 to 1996, Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006, and Chairman...
's political views.
Meaning
Tsai believes, that the 1992 consensus is solely based on the One-China policyOne-China policy
The One-China policy refers to the policy or view that there is only one state called "China", despite the existence of two governments that claim to be "China"....
and preserving it. The DPP further states, that a "consensus" at the "1992 consensus" does not exists. The DPP hopes to get this process, contrary to the 1992 consensus, to be ratified by the legislation and a referendum. This new consensus should be then the basis for negotiations with the PRC.
Further Tsai states, that the Taiwan consensus "is not an ordinary problem to be decided by majority", it "is not an ordinary legislation or public issue" and "not even a purely domestic problem. Because Taiwan is domestically not yet united and has no consensus on the direction towards China, so that the Taiwanese government has no basis for negotiations with China. She hopes, that via democratic processes and the Legislative Yuan
Legislative Yuan
The Legislative Yuan is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of China .The Legislative Yuan is one of the five branches of government stipulated by the Constitution of the Republic of China, which follows Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People...
"with all different political views [we] can find common ground", "[because] that is the true spirit of the Taiwan consensus".