Regarding the Dec. 10 editorial, "A test for Taiwan and China": I would like to bring the following points to the attention of The Japan Times readers. The "nine-in-one" nationwide local government election of the Republic of China on Taiwan on Nov. 29 marks the largest local government electoral event ever in Taiwan's history.
The election concluded peacefully, showing that democracy is deeply rooted in Taiwan society, which is also highly valued by the international society.
These elections have underscored the rational manner in which Taiwan's electorate executed their voting rights. Issues such as unemployment and food safety played a key role in the electoral results.
The Taiwan government has pledged to keep those issues at the top of its agenda and will continue to enhance the welfare of Taiwan's people and endeavor to create a more prosperous and safer society.
Regarding our relations with mainland China, over the last six years, the long-standing tensions across the Taiwan Strait have eased. The Taiwan Strait has ceased to be a flash point of conflict. This is in the best interest of all parties concerned across the strait and in the Asia-Pacific region, and is in line with the international community's expectations.
As President Ma Ying-jeou has stressed, we have to minimize the risks and maximize the opportunities while dealing with mainland China. International society must resort to dialogue to resolve differences and disputes.
In September President Ma received the 2014 Eisenhower Medallion from People to People International for contributions to world peace.
Mainland China is an ongoing political and economic reality whose existence no country would ignore. From a long-term and broad strategic point of view, we believe that engagement will lead to better understanding and be in the interests of people on either side of the Taiwan Strait.
At the same time, dignity and security are and will always be the top priority of Taiwan's government.
tokyo
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.