TAO Criticizes Tsai's Two-state Theory 中方批小英兩國論 「以武謀獨渲染威脅」

In response to President Tsai Ing-wen's address on the National Day, the Taiwan Affairs Office Criticized Tsai for seeking secession by armed forces and by relying on external forces.

The cross-Strait situation remains as tense as ever. In her National Day speech, President Tsai Ing-wen sent a message to China, saying "armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides. Only by respecting the commitment of the Taiwanese people to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom can there be a foundation for resuming constructive interaction across the Taiwan Strait." In response, the Taiwan Affairs Office requested a return to the 1992 Consensus and criticized Tsai for persisting with the "two-state theory" and seeking secession by armed forces and by relying on external forces.

Su Tseng-chang, Premier: “Taiwan is a free, democratic, and peace-loving country. We are willing to seek a way for cross-strait stability with the other side and promote interaction between the people of the two countries on the basis of equal status.”

Premier Su Tseng-chang said Tsai is willing to find a way to maintain cross-Strait peace and stability that is acceptable to both sides. TAO Spokesperson Ma Xiaoguang also said Tsai continues to play up the "threat" from China. On Oct. 10, China sent 26 military aircraft to buzz Taiwan's airspace, and four warships were active in the Strait. National Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said the military is working hard to avoid tensions and that China's harassment is a provocation. 

Chiu Kuo-cheng, National Defense Minister: “He (Ma Xiaoguang) added that this isn't provocation, so I want to ask, what is provocation then?”

Chiu admitted that the cross-Strait situation is grim and it's imperative to fill vacancies in the military. He said an announcement on whether the compulsory military service period will be extended will be made before year-end. 

Hsieh Yi-fong, Legislator (KMT): “Why has there been no announcement? When are you going to announce how long the military service period will be extended, in October, November, or December? Is it because you're concerned about impacting the elections? What's the current age requirement for the compulsory military service? I'm not here to discuss politics. ”
Chiu Kuo-cheng, National Defense Minister: “You keep talking about the elections, but I haven't considered them at all. We don't talk about the elections in the military.”

A legislator cited a poll conducted by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation that showed that 51 percent of respondents believe China would win a war against Taiwan, saying this shows people have little confidence in Taiwan's military. Chiu said the poll can be used as a reference. The military is making the necessary war preparations, and he has confidence in Taiwan's military.

 

兩岸情勢嚴峻，蔡英文國慶向中共喊話，兵戎相見絕對不是兩岸的選項，唯有尊重台灣人民對主權和民主自由的堅持，才是重啟兩岸良性互動的根本，中國國台辦要求回歸九二共識，批評蔡總統堅持兩國論，強化以武謀獨。

行政院長蘇貞昌表示：「台灣是自由民主愛好和平的國家，我們願意在對等的基礎上與對岸尋求台海和平的方法，增進兩國之間人民的往來。」

蘇貞昌強調，蔡總統願意尋找雙方可接受的維持台海和平穩定方法，而馬曉光聲稱蔡總統渲染中國威脅，昨日卻派出26架次共機擾台，4艘共艦在台海活動，挑釁意味濃厚，對此邱國正表示，國軍努力避免緊張情勢，也反嗆中共擾台才是挑釁。

國防部長邱國正表示：「他（馬曉光）還說這不叫挑釁，那我就要問，什麼叫挑釁。」邱國正坦言，兩岸情勢嚴峻必須補足兵力缺口，讓外界關切兵役延長議題，邱國正重申年底會對外公告。

國民黨立委謝衣鳳表示：「你想要在10月11月或12月宣布，這個延役的期間或者是延役幾年，是不是因為擔心影響選情？我想要請問你，目前服役義務役年齡大概是幾歲？ 」

國防部長邱國正回應：「不談政治議題，所以委員一再強調是選舉，我心裡沒有什麼選舉，軍中沒有在談選舉。」

針對立委引述台灣民意基金會民調，指出兩岸爆發戰事，有51%認為中共獲勝，顯示國人對國軍戰力有疑慮，邱國正回應民調僅參考，國軍會做好戰備工作，他對國軍有信心。