President Chen Shui-bian has followed a "new middle road " since his election his election as the President of the Republic of China. That policy orientation is designed to reach consensus among people in Taiwan with regard to Taiwan's mainland policy and to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait. In his efforts to establish harmony and consensus among people with different ethnic origins and political identities, specifically those advocating Taiwan independence and those pursuing unification with mainland China, President Chen emphasized that national interest supercedes any political party or individual. Under the guidance of the "new middle road," President Chen emphasized the following points in his mainland policy: 1. Taiwan will not declare independence as long as mainland China renounces the use of force against Taiwan. President Chen pointed out in his inaugural speech that during his term in office, as long as the PRC renounces the use of force against Taiwan, he will not declare Taiwan independence, not change the national title, not push forth the inclusion of the so-called "state-to-state" description in the Constitution, not promote a referendum to change the status quo in regards to the question of independence or unification. Furthermore, the abolition of the National Unification council and the Guidelines the Council promulgated in 1991 will not be an issue. 2 .Political integration across the Taiwan Strait could be a better way leading to normalization of cross-strait relations. President Chen emphasized that the integration of economies trade and culture can be a starting point for the building of faith and confidence between the two sides. This, in turn, can be the basis for a new framework of permanent peace and political integration between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. 3. The "sunshine policy" should be used to take the place of "military threat." That is to say, disputes between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should be solved through dialogues and negotiations. President Chen said that he would like to discuss "one China" as an issue. Emphasizing that people across the Taiwan Strait share the same ancestral, cultural, and historical background, he believes that leaders on both sides possess enough wisdom and creativity to jointly deal with the question of future "one china". If mainland China recognizes the equal status of the Republic of China, complies with the UN's peaceful resolution principle, and agrees not to predetermine future directions, the ROC government will sign a peace treaty or a basic treaty with mainland China to provide an interim framework for cross-strait relations. 4. Trade and economic exchanges should be the major part in all exchanges across the Taiwan Strait to realize the normalization of cross-strait economic relations. Based on the principle of national security, President Chen would like to take trade and economic exchanges as the pivotal policy. He emphasized the importance for both sides to work towards the normalization of the relationship.