Democracy, sovereignty, security and the right of free choice on the future of cross-Taiwan Strait relations rank among Taiwan's seven core interests in engaging with China, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan said Monday. The right to meaningful participation in the international community, the right not to be discriminated against, and the right of the disadvantaged to survive were also key interests, said Taiwan's top China policy-maker at an international symposium on 'Cross-Strait Interactions and Power Relations in East Asia.' Democracy is Taiwan's 'basic prerequisite in addressing cross-strait relations, ' said Lai at the seminar, organized by the MAC and the Institute for National Policy Research. 'We are absolutely adamant that no development in cross-strait relations and no connection between us will or can be allowed to harm the democratic way of life of the Taiwanese people.' That is why Taiwan's people should be able to freely decide their own future, she said. Commenting on discrimination against the country, Lai said that Taiwan, as a major trading nation and member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) , had the right to enjoy fair competitive trade conditions. 'That includes the right to participate in regional economic integration and the right to negotiate and sign economic agreements with our main trading partners,' she said. Lai highlighted two significant factors that have made an impact on East Asia's situation -- China's rise and U.S. President Barack Obama's strategy of renewed U.S. engagement in Asia. 'Compared to the exchanges of artillery fire between the two Koreas, the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait stands out as all the more precious an achievement.' But that achievement has not come easily, she contended. 'We consider the people to be the main actors in cross-strait relations. Only if we understand, respect and safeguard the core interests of Taiwan's people will cross-strait relations be able to develop in a more stable forward direction, ' she said. 