Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has called on China to restart the stalled peace process as soon as possible in her first National Day speech on Monday. Tsai's request to resume talks comes nearly five months after Beijing halted official communication with the island nation.

"The two sides of the Strait should sit down and talk as soon as possible," Tsai said in her maiden national day address. "Anything can be included for discussion, as long as it is conducive to the development of cross-Strait peace and the welfare of people on both sides."

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However, the Taiwanese leader remained adamant on not accepting the crucial "One China principle."

Without mentioning the key principle or 1992 consensus, Tsai said "Our pledges will not change, and our goodwill will not change. But we will not bow to pressure, and we will of course not revert to the old path of confrontation."

China was left miffed as Tsai chose to continue with her confrontation policy on "One China Principle."  

"Denying the '1992 consensus,' inciting confrontation across the Taiwan Strait and severing socioeconomic and cultural ties is an impassable, evil path," China's Taiwan Affairs Office said.

Experts say that Tsai has lately been giving an olive branch to China, but is also mindful of keeping her strong anti-Chinese supporters intact.

The Taiwanese leader's acrimonious stance against mainland China has made her a controversial figure in the mainland. Although Tsai has said that she wants friendly relations with China, her peaceful gestures were treated as hollow talks by Beijing.  

TagsTaiwan, Taiwan and China, Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan President, Cross-Strait Relations