Suspension of communication mechanism affects cross-Straits agreements

BEIJING -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that the suspension of the cross-Straits communication mechanism will affect the negotiation and signing of new agreements.

The communication mechanism featured regular meetings between the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF).

The current leader of Taiwan, who took office on May 20, has refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus that upholds both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China. This has shaken the political foundation of cross-Straits interactions and resulted in the suspension of regular cross-Straits communication, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office.

The suspension will also affect the execution of existing agreements, Ma said in response to a question at a press conference.

"Eight years of peaceful cross-Straits relations has been seriously impacted and people from both sides, especially from Taiwan, are concerned about the future of the cross-Straits relationship," Ma said.

Adherence to the 1992 Consensus and the common political foundation that features the one-China principle is the correct road and in line with common interests across the Straits, he said.

Ma said only by sticking to the 1992 Consensus and the core meaning that both sides belong to one China can the two sides seek common ground while shelving their differences.