4th LD-Writethru: Mainland highlights 1992 Consensus as Tsai elected Taiwan leader

The Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs authority has reiterated the importance of adhering to the 1992 Consensus after Tsai Ing-wen, candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was elected Taiwan leader on Saturday.

In a three-way race to become Taiwan's next leader, Tsai defeated rivals Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Eric Chu and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong.

A person in charge of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said in a statement released late on Saturday that the mainland's major principles and policies concerning Taiwan are "consistent and clear, and will not change with the results of Taiwan elections."

In the past eight years, on the political basis of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," both sides have jointly explored a path for the peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations, set up an institutional framework for exchanges and cooperation, and maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the statement said.

"Such hard-won good momentum should be cherished," it said.

"We will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus and resolutely oppose any form of secessionist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence'," it read.

"On major matters of principle including safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is rock-firm and our attitude is consistent," it added.

The mainland is willing to enhance communication and exchanges with all political parties and groups which recognize the principle that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, the statement said.

"Together with people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, we are willing to maintain the common political foundation, the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and peace and stability across the Strait, and jointly create a bright future for the revival of the Chinese nation," it read.

Taiwan residents began voting in the island's leadership and legislature elections at 8 a.m. on Saturday and the polls closed at 4 p.m.

Tsai led Chu by about 3 million votes in the poll, according to the island's election commission.

Tsai and her running mate Chen Chien-jen, got more than 6.89 million ballots, or 56.1 percent of the votes, whereas Chu and his running mate Wang Ju-hsuan, got more than 3.81 million ballots, or 31 percent of the votes.

PFP Chairman James Soong and his running mate Hsu Hsin-ying got nearly 1.58 million ballots, or 12.8 percent of the votes.

In a speech at the Kuomintang (KMT) headquarters in Taipei earlier, Eric Chu acknowledged his failure, saying he would take responsibility and resign from the post of KMT chairman.

Taiwan's legislature election was held simultaneously with the leadership election on Saturday.

Among the 113 seats in the island's legislature, DPP gained 68 seats while KMT got 35 and the New Power Party got five. Three seats went to the PFP, one went to the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union and one to independent candidate. Endi