By Gu Jianjun, post doctorate with the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau

China's Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen gave an interview to the Washington Post. She said it isn't likely that the "Taipei government" will accept a deadline for conditions that go against the will of the people.

Accordingly, the Washington Post headlined the story, Tsai Ing-wen: Beijing must respect our democratic will.

This is the first time for Tsai to comment over whether to recognize the 1992 consensus, since she gave an incomplete answer at her inauguration. Tsai is refuting the 1992 consensus on a pretense of public opinion.

Nevertheless, the public opinion she cited is just a lie with a political agenda, serving as a shield endorsed by the ruling party DPP (Democrat Progressive Party).

What is public opinion for people living in Taiwan?

People living in Taiwan want to maintain peace across the Taiwan Straits. Both sides expect economic development and mutual benefits. They hope both sides can work together to seek a Chinese national revival.

Tsai and the DPP have kidnapped mainstream public opinion of cross-strait peaceful development through their selfish conceptions that distort mainstream public opinion for selfish intent. The world should not be deceived by their actions.

Tsai often talks about the welfare of the people, but she is saying one thing and doing another. She showed a vague attitude towards the fundamental issue of cross-strait relations by refusing to recognize the "1992 consensus," which serves as the core conception of both sides belonging to one country.

Tsai has undermined the political foundation for peaceful development of cross-strait relations without considering the well-being of the Taiwan people and not taking into account people's livelihoods, social and economic development in Taiwan, driving its people toward "Taiwan independence", which poses a grave danger that could ruin the fruits and future prospects of peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

Common public opinion of people on both sides

Tsai mentions public opinion, but that is only confined to a few people who support Taiwan independence and does not cover all people of Taiwan, as well as those on the mainland.

Talking about public opinion in Taiwan appears one-sided. Tsai is engaged in a cross-strait confrontation through the so-called banner of public opinion or democracy. The mainland and its 1.3 billion people would never support that.

Peaceful development of cross-strait relations has brought tangible benefits to people of both sides that is based on a consensus. Safeguarding peaceful development of cross-strait relations is the mainstream of public opinion on both sides of the Straits, and of course the right path.

By adhering to the "1992 consensus," the two sides are belonging to one country as its core meaning, which can ensure peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations. Tsai must listen to common public opinion of peoples across the Straits.

She claims to look forward to greater flexibility on handling cross-strait relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

Nevertheless, Tsai should be aware that her words and deeds would set a historic record that involves the development of the Chinese nation along with the interests and welfare of compatriots on both sides.

Whether her actions can satisfy the Chinese people on both sides depends on whether she has adopted the position, vision, mind and wisdom that is in line with the national interests and trends of the times, and on whether she can listen to the public opinion and common aspirations of people on both sides.

Nonetheless, Tsai's idea in refusing to recognize the 1992 consensus goes against the mainstream of public opinion on both sides, which is very dangerous.

We expect Tsai to hold the reality of cross-strait relations in support of the well-being of compatriots on both sides. She should recognize the common opinion of the people across the Straits, return to the route of the 1992 consensus that favors eventual reunification, serving as a blessing for the people of Taiwan and the Chinese nation as a whole.

( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )

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