On 28 February, 2006, Chen announced that the National Unification Council, which was set up in 1990 to create guidelines for unification with China if it adopted democracy, would "cease to function". He took care to use this phrase rather than "abolish" because he had promised during his 2000 campaign that he would not abolish the council or its guidelines. Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman of the US State Department, issued a statement on 2 March 2006, that the understanding of the United States was that the difference between "abolish" and "ceasing activity" implied no change in the status quo.
On 28 February 2006 Chen announced that the National Unification Council which was set up in 1990 to create guidelines for unification with China if it adopted democracy would "cease to function" He took care to use this phrase rather than "abolish" because he had promised during his 2000 campaign that he would not abolish the council or its guidelines Adam Ereli deputy spokesman of the US State Department issued a statement on 2 March 2006 that the understanding of the United States was that the difference between "abolish" and "ceasing activity" implied no change in the status quo