|
Chen’s Legacy and Ma Era
[Speeches and Documents] [Interviews] [Polls] [News] [Papers]
Speeches and Documents
Taiwan’s
Renaissance: The Inauguration Speech of President Ma Ying-jeou
President Ma’s New Year’s
Day Message
(Office of the President, Jan. 1, 2010) This
government will not indulge in wishful thinking by having the development of
cross-strait ties determine our external relations.
Ma Vows to Keep Boosting
Cross-Strait Ties
(China
Post, Oct. 11, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou vowed to pursue continued
improvement of Taiwan's
ties with mainland China
to gradually build mutual trust. Growing Amid Challenges,
Progressing Amid Reconstruction—President Ma’s National Day Address
The Taiwan Relations Act:
Turning a New Chapter
President
Ma’s speech in a video conference with the Center for Strategic and
International Studies on April 22, 2009.
President Ma
Ying-jeou's Address to the 'Double Tenth' Rally
(Office of the President, R.O.C., Oct. 10 2008) While differences still
exist between Taiwan and
mainland China
over sovereignty issues, we hope that the two sides can apply wisdom to
shelve disputes and chart courses to steadily extend the political
reconciliation achieved in cross-strait relations to the international arena.
A SMART Strategy for
National Security By Ma Ying-jeou
(February 26, 2008) to achieve our national security objectives, Taiwan
needs to be SMART. The S in SMART stands for soft power. The M in SMART
stands for Military Deterrence. The A in SMART stands for Assuring the Status
Quo. The R in START stands for Restoring Mutual Trust. These four concept
pillars hold up the final idea in SMART, the T that stands for Taiwan.
International Conference on “Confidence-Building Measures:
Successful Cases and Implications for the Taiwan Strait” By Ma Ying-jeou
(Jan. 16, 2008) Therefore, if elected, I will do at least two things to set
the train of Taiwan’s
regeneration going. Internally, I will uplift our democracy to make it work
for the benefit of the people, not any particular party. Externally, I will
anchor our policy on the so-called “three nos” in order to foster a peaceful
environment. That is, no negotiations for unification during my presidential
term; no pursuit of de jure independence; and no use of force by either side
of the Taiwan Strait.
Ou: Taiwan’s Agenda—A
Pragmatic Global Approach By Francisco H. L. Ou
(Washington
Times, Jul. 24, 2008) Inaugurated just two months ago, Mr. Ma has already
broken through barriers and set a new course for Taiwan's relations with our
neighbors and the international community, as well as our strategic
partnership with the United States.
Taiwan Security: A KMT’s
Perspective By SU Chi
(US-Taiwan Business Council, Denver,
Colorado, USA,
Sep. 11, 2006) The KMT wants to be a Positive “Responsible Stakeholder” in East Asia. We
believe Taiwan
can contribute to and benefit from a peaceful and prosperous region.
Interviews
ECFA ‘Just the Beginning’:
Ma
(Taipei Times, Jan. 22, 2010) The president told
the ‘Taipei Times’ that an ECFA with China would help reduce obstructions to
Taiwan’s efforts to sign FTAs with ASEAN members. Interview: ECFA Will Help
Taiwan Catch Up with Asia
Cross-Strait Peace Deal Is
Not Possible at Present: Ma
(CNA, Jan. 1, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou said
in an interview with the German magazine “Internationale Politik” that he
does not believe a cross-Taiwan Strait peace agreement is possible under the
present situation.
Taiwan’s Détente Gamble By
Leslie Hook
(Wall Street Journal, Dec. 15, 2009) Taiwan knows better than most countries what
it's like to lie in the shadow of a rising China. The island
is home to a vibrant democracy whose 23 million cast their ballots last March
for a president promising détente with Beijing.
We’ve Left Taiwan Out in the
Cold By Rowan Callick
(The Australian, Oct. 27, 2009) In his first
interview with an Australian journalist since being elected 18 months ago, Ma
asked: "If Beijing is willing to improve relations with us, why couldn't
Australia?"
China Must Remove Missiles
for Taiwan Thaw, Ma Says By Stuart Biggs and Dune Lawrence (Bloomberg, Jul. 31, 2009) Taiwan
President Ma
Ying-jeou said China
must stop targeting the island with hundreds of missiles to extend the
deepest thaw in relations in six decades.
Taiwan’s Ma Reflects on His
First Year As President
(Time, May 14, 2009) On May 12, TIME's Jim
Erickson, Michael Schuman and Natalie Tso sat down with Ma to talk with him
about China, the economy,
and Taiwan's
future.
An Interview with Ma
Ying-jeou
(New York Times, Feb. 22, 2009) Following is a
transcript of an interview
with President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan,
on Feb. 12. Keith Bradsher, of The New York Times, and Jeanne Moore, of The
International Herald Tribune, conducted the interview.
Exclusive Ma Ying-jeou
Interview: Nothing to Fear from CECA with Beijing: Ma (Taipei Times, Feb. 20, 2009) The government’s cross-strait
policies have prompted concerns over the potential impact on Taiwan’s
sovereignty. In an interview, President Ma responded to his critics.
Taiwanese Leader Focuses on
Economy By Maureen Fan
(Washington Post, Dec. 10, 2008) With GDP
shrinking and unemployment spiking, Taiwanese President Ma
Ying-jeou said that his focus was squarely on the self-ruled
democratic island's domestic economy. Transcript of Interview
USA TODAY Interviews
Taiwanese President By Paul Wiseman
(USA Today, Nov. 11, 2008) USA Today's Paul
Wiseman interviewed Ma in the presidential palace in Taipei. Below is a
transcript of the interview, edited for length and clarity.
President Ma Ying-jeou of
Taiwan Has Progress Making Ties with China By Jane Macartney (Times, Aug. 30, 2008) The new President is confident that the
peace process he has initiated can outlast him. “The foundation of the policy
to seek reconciliation is not based on an individual, it is based on the
common needs of the two sides.” Ma Ying-jeou on the Wisdom
of Improved Relations between China and Taiwan The transcripts of the
interview.
Talking to Taiwan’s New
President
(Time, Aug. 11, 2008) Ma spoke with TIME ahead of his first international
diplomatic trip.
Interview with Taiwan’s Ma By Peter Stein and Ting-I Tsai
(Wall Street Journal, Aug. 8, 2008) Taiwan
President Ma Ying-jeou spoke with The Wall Street Journal's Peter Stein and
Ting-I Tsai on Thursday. Here is a selective transcript.
Warming up to China
(CNN, Jul. 19, 2008) Taiwanese President Ma
Ying-jeou talks to CNN's Anjali Rao about strengthening ties with China.
Interview: Ou Talks about
Taiwan’s ‘Diplomatic Truce’
(Taipei
Times, Aug. 10, 2008) Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou sat down with
‘Taipei Times’ staff reporter and offered his views on Taiwan’s diplomacy and
the strategy his ministry is using to help expand Taiwan’s international
space.
Polls
Taiwan Public Mood Index and
Approval Rating of President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Wu Den-yih (GVSRC, Feb. 23, 2010) 24.7 percent of people are satisfied with
President Ma’s performance while 41.3 percent are satisfied with Premier
Wu’s.
Approval Ratings for
President Ma Ying-jeou’s Performance
(TVBS, Feb. 3, 2010) 26% of respondents were
satisfied with President Ma’s performance while 50% not.
Survey on Performance of
President Ma Ying-jeou and His Administration (GVSRC, Jan. 23, 3010) 23.2 percent of the polled were satisfied
with Ma’s performance while 66.3 percent not.
Polls on Chiang-Chen Meeting
and the Approval Ratings of Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen (UDN, Dec. 25, 2009) 33% of respondents were satisfied with
President Ma’s performance; 32% thought the three agreements signed at the
Forth Chiang-Chen Meeting were beneficial to Taiwan.
Survey on Cross-strait ECFA
and Exchanges, Taiwanese’s View on Ultimate Unification with China and
Independence and President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Dec. 22, 2009) 54.4 percent said signing ECFA is
very important to Taiwan’s economy; meanwhile, 23.5 percent were content with
President Ma’s performance.
Survey on Taiwanese People’s
Trust in the U.S. President, Cross-Strait Leaders and Major Political Parties
and Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Nov. 23, 2009) 52.9 percent of Taiwanese say Obama is
friendly toward Taiwan; meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating this month
is 28.3 percent.
Survey on President Ma
Ying-jeou’s Performance after Assuming KMT Chairpersonship, Ma-Hu Meeting,
and Taiwanese People’s Views on Unification with China and Independence (GVSRC, Oct. 22, 2009) President Ma’s approval rating is 29.5
percent; meanwhile, 43.9 percent said it was appropriate if President Ma and
his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao met as leaders of ruling parties across the
Strait.
Survey: A Month After Wu
Cabinet Took Office
(TVBS
Public Opinion
Poll Center,
Oct. 9, 2009) 32% of the respondents were satisfied with President Ma’s
performance while 48% were satisfied with Premier Wu’s.
Survey on New Cabinet, Verdict
on Former President Chen Shui-bian’s Cases, and President Ma Ying-jeou’s
Approval Rating (GVSRC, Sep.
23, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou’s approval rating is 28.3 percent and
disapproval rating is 59.6 percent this month.
Public Opinions on President
Ma Ying-jeou’s and His Cabinet’s Abilities to Deal with Disasters Following
Typhoon Morakot’s Lash at Taiwan (GVSRC, Aug. 24, 2009) 78.2 percent of Taiwanese say the Ma administration
has failed to handle the typhoon disaster well; meanwhile, President Ma
Ying-jeou’s approval rating this month is 22.9 percent.
Survey on President Ma’s
Approval Rating and Cross-Strait Relations After First Year of Direct Flights (GVSRC, Jul. 24, 2009) 35.5 percent of Taiwanese approve of
President Ma’s governance; 44.2
percent of Taiwanese are satisfied with the benefits brought by direct
cross-strait flights.
TVBS Pubic Opinion Poll
(TVBS
Public Opinion
Poll Center,
Jul. 14, 2009) According to the survey, 41% of the respondents were satisfied with President Ma’s performance, while another 41% were unsatisfied.
Survey on President Ma’s
Approval Rating
(GVSRC, Jun. 22, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou’s
approval rating is 40.7 percent, and his disapproval rating is 46.1.
Survey on President Ma’s
Approval Rating on First Anniversary of Inauguration and Cross-Strait Issues (GVSRC, May 25, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou’s approval rating on
the first anniversary of his inauguration: his approval rating is 38.9
percent, and his disapproval rating is 48.6 percent.
Survey on Taiwan Relations
Act, Arms Procurement, Participation in WHA, and President Ma’s Approval
Rating (GVSRC, Apr. 24, 2009) 48.3% of Taiwanese say the
government should procure more weapons to gain more ground with China;
meanwhile, 32.8% of Taiwanese approve of President Ma’s performance.
Survey on Cross-Strait
Economic Cooperation Agreement and President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Mar. 23, 2009) 68.2% of Taiwanese say they
are concerned with signing an economic cooperation agreement with China.
Meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating ten months after his inauguration
is 28.6%.
TVBS Poll on President Ma’s
Approval Rating
(TVBS
Public Opinion
Center, Mar. 23, 2009)
29% of respondents are satisfied with President Ma’s performance.
TVBS Public Opinion Poll
(TVBS Public Opinion Poll Center, Mar. 2, 2009)
The survey was conducted on the satisfaction ratings of the Ma government and
on issues associated with the possibility of signing of CECA with China.
The President, the Cabinet,
and the Lawmakers’ Approval Ratings
(GVSRC, Feb. 23, 2009) 34.5% of Taiwanese people
approve President Ma’s performance over the past nine months. The approval
rate is 33% for Premier Liu.
President Ma Ying-jeou’s
Approval Rating after Eight Months in Office (GVSRC, Jan. 17, 2009) 28.7% of Taiwanese people approve of
President Ma Ying-jeou’s performance after his eight months in office, and
57.3% don’t.
Survey of Public Trust in
Chen Shui-bian and Approval Rating for President Ma Ying-jeou (GVSRC, Dec. 22, 2008) 8.2% of Taiwanese people say they trust
Chen, while 78.7% say they don’t. Meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating
after seven moths in office is 30.3%.
Survey on Taiwanese People’s
Attitude toward the Detention of Former President Chen Shui-bian and Approval
Ratings of the New Administration (GVSRC, Nov. 20, 2008) 64.4% of Taiwanese people say it would reflect progress in Taiwan’s
democratic spirit and system if a former president is sentenced after he
steps down for committing a crime. Meanwhile, 29.8% of
Taiwanese people say they approve of President Ma’s performance, while 58.2% say they don’t.
Survey on Senior Chinese
Envoy Chen Yunlin’s Upcoming Visit to Taiwan and Approval Ratings for the Ma
Administration (Global Views,
November, 2008) 50.3% of Taiwanese people support the government’s decision
to invite Chen Yunlin. Meanwhile, 23.6% of Taiwanese are satisfied with
President Ma’s performance.
GVSRC Survey: Approval
Rating for the Ma Administration and Support for Its Foreign Policy (Global Views, October, 2008) The GVSRC survey shows that 24.9% of Taiwanese people are satisfied with President Ma Ying-jeou’s
performance, while 64.5% dissatisfied.
GVSRC Survey: Survey on the First 100
Days of President
Ma Ying-Jeou and the New Administration (Global Views, Aug. 29, 2008) The GVSRC survey shows that 36.1%
of Taiwanese people are satisfied with President Ma Ying-jeou’s performance
during his first 100 days in power, while 47.6% dissatisfied.
Ma’s Approval Rating Slides,
Media Reports
(Taiwan News, Jul. 19, 2008) According to a
recent poll conducted by the United Daily News, the number of respondents who were dissatisfied with President Ma Ying-jeou's performance exceeding
those who are satisfied with it for the first time since Ma's inauguration on
May 20.
GVSRC Survey: President Ma
Ying-Jeou and the New Government
(Global Views, Jun, 2008) 58.3% of Taiwanese
people approve of President Ma Ying-jeou’s performance during the two-month
period from his election to his inauguration, and 64.2% say they are
confident in Ma’s leadership.
President Gets 48.2%
Approval Rating: Government Poll
(CNA, Jun. 27, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou received
an approval rating of 48.2 percent for his performance one month after he
assumed office May 20, according to the results of a government poll released
Thursday.

Ma Urges ‘Maximum Tolerance’
in China
(China
Post, Dec. 27, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday urged Beijing to show
“maximum tolerance” to different opinions, in response to China's sentencing
leading dissident Liu Xiaobo to 11 years in prison.
Ma’s ‘Decade’ Misquote
Creating Controversy
(China Post, Dec. 16, 2009) The word “decade” in
a full-page Wall Street Journal interview with President Ma Ying-jeou became
the lightning rod for both pro-independence outrage and pro-China speculation.
Ma Absence from KMT Ads
Raises Speculation
(China
Post, Nov. 21, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou has not been featured in the
ruling Kuomintang's latest TV advertisement, sparking speculation that the
party no longer sees the leader as an asset for election campaigns because of
his declining popularity.
ECFA Will Reduce Chance of
War: Ma
(Taipei Times, Nov. 20, 2009) The president said
that his administration was not especially friendly with China, but ‘we still need to do
business with them.’
Japanese Have Better Image
of Pres. Ma: JCCI Head Ogura
(CNA, Nov. 7, 2009) Businesspeople in Japan no
longer cling to President Ma’s past reputation as an anti-Japanese Tioyutai
warrior but instead are convinced that Taiwan is their best partner for
developing the huge potential market in China.
Taiwan President Vows to
Seek Eternal Peace with China
(VOA, Oct. 26, 2009) Taiwan's
president has marked the 60th anniversary of a key battle against Chinese
Communist forces by vowing to seek eternal peace across the Taiwan
Strait.
Ma Urges Beijing to Remove
Missiles
(Reuters, Oct. 20, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou
urged China to scrap the
growing number of missiles aimed at the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its
own, adding he would not exclude the possibility of meeting Chinese leaders
one day.
KMT Will Back Expanded
Cross-Strait Relations: Ma
(Taipei Times, Oct. 19, 2009) President Ma
Ying-jeou said that the KMT will support the continuing development
of cross-strait ties.
President Takes Over as KMT
Chair, Says will Punish Mavericks
(China
Post, Oct. 18, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou, who took the helm of the ruling
Kuomintang, promised to settle disputes over the party's huge assets and to
come down hard on mavericks undermining its year-end election campaign.
Ma Pledges to Push ‘Soft
Power Diplomacy’
(CNA, Oct. 9, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said
that his administration is planning to send 10,000 Taiwanese students abroad
for study or goodwill visits every year as part of the government's “soft
power diplomacy.”
Ma Says Allies May Pursue
Economic Ties with China
(Taipei Times, Sep. 10, 2009) President Ma
Ying-jeou said his administration was not opposed to the country’s diplomatic
allies developing economic relations with China and that both sides of the
Taiwan Strait had a “tacit agreement” not to steal each other’s diplomatic
allies.
Ma Praises Cross-Strait
Strategy
(Taipei Times, Aug. 6, 2009)
President Ma Ying-jeou lauded his cross-strait policy, saying cross-strait
rapprochement had not only brought a glimmer of hope in the Taiwan Strait,
but also simplified security relations between Taipei
and Washington.
Taiwan Leader Calls for
China Trade Pact But No Rush to Meet Hu
(AFP, Jul. 29, 2009) Taiwan's
President Ma Ying-jeou called for a trade pact with China but said he was not likely
to meet his Chinese counterpart soon despite warming ties between the former
bitter rivals.
China’s President
Congratulates Taiwan Leader on Election as Chairman of Party (New York Times, Jul. 28, 2009) President Hu Jintao of China congratulated the
Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou, after his election this weekend as chief of
Taiwan’s governing party, a victory that analysts said could bolster Mr. Ma’s
efforts to pursue engagement and economic ties with China.
President Ma Elected KMT
Chairman
(China Post, Jul. 27, 2009) Only a little more
than half of all card-carrying members of the Kuomintang went to the polls to
vote in President Ma Ying-jeou as their chairman for the next four years.
Taiwan’s Interests Upheld in
World Games: President
(CNA, Jul. 19, 2009) According to Ma, the fact
that he presided over the opening ceremony of the international sports event
in his capacity as president of the Republic of China is “something Taiwan
could not have achieved in the past.”
Taiwan Will Not Open Median
Line: Ma
(Taipei Times, Jul. 4, 2009) Taiwan will not open the median line of the Taiwan Strait to air traffic because the area is used
for training by the country’s air force, President Ma Ying-jeou said.
Pres. Ma Pledges to Push for
Rapprochement with China
(China Post, May 20, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou
denied Taiwan's sovereignty
has ever been denigrated in the past year, as he again pledged his all-out
effort to push for rapprochement with China.
No Referendum Is Needed on
ECFA Proposal: Ma
(Taipei Times, May 20, 2009) President Ma
Ying-jeou said the economic pact his administration plans to sign with Beijing does not require
a referendum because it steers clear of politics and concerns only economic
issues.
Taiwan Protest Targets
Leader’s Pro-China Policies
(AP, May 17, 2009) Tens of thousands of
anti-government demonstrators marched through downtown Taipei
on Sunday to protest against President Ma Ying-jeou's policy of greater
engagement with rival China.
Ma Would Consider Peace
Talks in 2012
(Taipei Times, May
12, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said he would not negotiate unification with
China
during his presidency, but would consider launching talks on a peace
agreement if re-elected in 2012.
No Strong Reaction to Ma’s
‘Political Dialogue’ with Beijing
(China Post, May 11, 2009) President Ma
Ying-jeou's surprise initiative to start political dialogue with Beijing in
2012 provoked no strong reaction from pro-independence Democratic Progressive
Party leaders.
Ma Speaks in Washington Via
Teleconference on TRA
(Taipei Times,
Apr. 23, 2009) Taiwan will
not count on a free ride from Washington for
its security, President Ma Ying-jeou told China
experts in Washington
during a video conference.
Anti-secession Law ‘Unnecessary’:
Ma
(China Post, Mar. 15, 2009) The Taiwan government
yesterday urged China
to remove its anti-secession law and missiles that are meant to intimidate
the island into staying away from the road to independence.
President Ma Defines
‘Flexible Diplomacy’
(China Post, Nov. 11, 2008) President Ma
Ying-jeou defined his “flexible diplomacy”, broaching his conciliatory plan
to reach agreement with China
to keep Taiwan’s
official ties with other countries of the world.
Ma Hopes for Peace Deal
While He’s in Office
(Taipei Times, Oct. 19, 2008) In an interview
published in the Indian quarterly India and Global Affairs yesterday,
President Ma Ying-jeou said he hoped that a cross-strait peace accord could
be reached during his term in office.
Forum Says Ma Strategy
toward China Effective
(Taipei Times, Oct. 13, 2008) The “diplomatic
truce” strategy proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou is “constructive” and long
overdue but Beijing must reciprocate fast before the small window of
opportunity closes on improved cross-strait relations, a panel of academics
said.
Ma Refers to China as ROC
Territory in Magazine Interview
(Taipei Times, Oct.
8, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou has said mainland China is the territory of the
Republic of China (ROC) in an interview with a Japanese magazine.
US Expert Praises Ma’s
‘Pragmatic’ PRC Policy
(Taipei Times, Sep. 6, 2008) President Ma
Ying-jeou’s definition of cross-strait ties as “special” reflects his
long-standing pragmatic approach toward China that aims to avoid
confrontation with Beijing on the sovereignty issue, a US expert in
cross-strait affairs said on Thursday.
Taiwan Pursues ‘Mutual
Non-denial’ with China
(CNA, Sep. 5, 2008) Pursuing "mutual non-denial"
between Taiwan and China remains a goal of President Ma Ying jeou's
administration, given that "mutual recognition" is unattainable,
Presidential Office spokesman said.
‘State to State’ Theory is
Dead, Ma Says
(Taipei Times, Sep. 4, 2008) The relationship
between Taiwan and China is not one between two countries, but a type of
special relationship across the Taiwan Strait, President Ma Ying-jeou has
told a Mexican newspaper, in a marked departure from former president Lee
Teng-hui’s special state-to-state model of relations.
‘Turce’ Paying off: Presidential Office By Ko Shu-ling and Jenny W. Hsu (Taipei Times, Sep. 3,
2008) The fact that Paraguay has not switched ties to Beijing, despite its
president’s remarks, was proof that Ma’s proposal was effective, an official
said.
PRC must Accept Taiwan’s
Peace Offer, or Else: Ma
(Taipei Times,
Aug. 27, 2008) In an interview with the ‘Global
Views’ magazine, President Ma Ying-jeou said that Taipei would
immediately engage in a “diplomatic war” with Beijing if his proposed
“diplomatic truce” with China did not receive a positive response
Ma Says Cross-Strait Ties
Key to Better US Relations
(Taipei
Times, Aug. 23, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou expressed confidence yesterday
that the lack of mutual trust between the US and Taiwan could be repaired in
the near future thanks to the government’s effort to improve cross-strait
relations.
Ma’s Approval Rating at 47%,
Says Poll
(CNA, Aug. 21, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou
received an approval rating of 47 percent for his performance over the past
three months, according to the results of a government poll released Tuesday.
Taiwan Helps Poorer Nations
via ‘Aid for Trade’, Says FM Ou
(China Post, Aug. 21, 2008) Taiwan will continue
to help developing nations boost their trade environment via the so-called
"aid for trade" programs, said Foreign Minister Francisco Ou.
Diplomatic Truce not Dual
Recognition: Ma
(CNA, Aug. 18, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said
Saturday in the Dominican Republic
that his proposal of a "diplomatic truce" with China does not mean that the
government is trying to work on a "dual recognition" system.
Ma Touts ‘Diplomatic Truce’
Strategy
(Taipei Times, Aug. 16, 2008) President Ma
Ying-jeou said that he was still negotiating with China about a plan to stop
Taiwan and China from wooing each other’s diplomatic allies — what he calls
his “diplomatic truce” strategy, but critics have dubbed it a “one-sided
declaration.”
Taiwan’s Ma in Damage
Control over Japan Ties
(Kyodo, Aug. 11, 2008) Japan’s increasing worries
over Ma's attitude toward Tokyo and his handling of ties with rival China
have prompted Ma to scramble, albeit quietly, for damage control before Taipei-Tokyo
ties deteriorate beyond repair.
Ma Claims ‘Viable Diplomacy’
Based on Realism, Mutual Trust
(Taiwan News, Aug. 5, 2008) President Ma
Ying-jeou said yesterday that his proposals for "viable diplomacy"
and for a diplomatic truce were based on growing mutual trust between Taiwan
and China, and would allow all sides in the region to breathe a sigh of
relief.
Taipei-Tokyo Ties not
Affected by Cross-Strait Détente: President
(CNA, Aug. 5, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said
yesterday that cross-Taiwan Strait detente will not affect Taipei-Tokyo ties,
as the situation will benefit the entire region, including Japan.
Ma Touts Foreign Policy
before Trip
(China Post, Aug. 4, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou
underscored his concept of "vital and viable diplomacy" to achieve
the multiple goals of safeguarding the nation's interests, improving ties
with Beijing,
and at the same time enhancing international ties.
Taiwan to Further Ties with
Non-Allies: President
(CNA, Aug. 1, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou
pledged yesterday that his administration will seek to further relations with
countries that have no diplomatic links with Taiwan,
following the improvement of ties with China.
Taiwan Public Mood Index
Survey July 2008
(Global
Views Survey
Research Center,
Jul. 28) The TPMI survey this month was conducted two months after President
Ma Ying-jeou was inaugurated. TIMPI falls 4.5 points, falling into the
“losing some public approval” range.
Ma Aims to Dispel Image of
‘Extravagance’
(Taiwan
News, Jul. 24, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou's decision to use a combination
of scheduled commercial passenger flights and chartered aircraft on his first
overseas visits to Paraguay and the Dominican Republic aims to correct
Taiwan's image as a "promoter of money diplomacy."
Taiwan’s China Thaw Good for
Japan, Ma Says
(Kyodo, Jul. 22, 2008) A recent warming in
relations between bitter rivals China and Taiwan "is significant for
Japan," Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday while meeting with
a delegation of Japanese lawmakers, officials and academics.
Time Not Ripe for Meeting
with Hu Jintao, Ma Says
(Taipei
Times, Jul. 20, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said he had no immediate plans
to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao despite his intention to improve
cross-strait relations, and repeated his call on China to remove the missiles
it targets at Taiwan.
Ma’s Approval Rating Slides,
Media Reports
(Taiwan
News, Jul. 19, 2008) According to a recent poll conducted by the United Daily
News, the number of respondents who were dissatisfied with
President Ma Ying-jeou's performance exceeding those who are satisfied with
it for the first time since Ma's inauguration on May 20.
Japan Ties Could Cool, Says
Former Rep
(CNA, Jul. 19, 2008) Taiwan-Japan relations could
suffer as Taiwan's new
government eagerly improves ties with China,
Japan's former top
representative to Taiwan
said in an interview published yesterday.
Taiwan Expects U.S. Arms
Sales to Taiwan to Proceed as Planned
(CNA, Jul. 18, 2008) Presidential Office
spokesman Wang Yu-chi said Taiwan
is hopeful that the U.S.
weapons procurement plans will proceed based on arms procurement budgets
approved by the Legislative Yuan last year.
President Promotes New
Strategy to Facilitate FTA Talks
(CNA, Jul. 17, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said
Wednesday that using the name under which Taiwan applied to join the World
Trade Organization will meet less opposition when negotiating free trade
agreements with other countries.
Presidential Office
Reiterates ‘Three Noes’ Promise
(CNA, Jul. 15, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou
remains resolute in pursuing a policy of "no unification, no independence
and no use of force" to handle cross-Taiwan Strait ties over the next
four years, Presidential Office spokesman Wang Yu-chi said Monday.
Diplomatic Ties with
Paraguay in Question
(CNA, Jul. 15, 2008) Foreign Minister Francisco
H. L. Ou said yesterday that the status of diplomatic relations with Paraguay can serve as an indicator of whether China is willing to reach a diplomatic truce
with Taiwan.
Taiwan Needs Weapons from
U.S.: President
(AP, Jul. 13, 2008)
President Ma Ying-jeou said
Saturday that the island needs to secure defensive weapons from the United
States, despite warming relations with rival China.
Taiwan’s Change in China
Policy Could Make World Reconsider Its Role (CNA, Jul. 13, 2008) The China policies of President Ma Ying-jeou
and his administration could create a new image for the country and make the
world reconsider Taiwan's
role, France's
top official here said earlier this week.
Ma Dismisses Calls Over
Revamping Cabinet
(China
Post, Jul. 13, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou brushed aside yesterday the
proposal of reshuffling the 53-day-old Cabinet while stressing the
outstanding and tangible achievements of the Cabinet officials in such a
short period of time.
Taiwan’s Ma Says Chip Makers
Should Be Allowed More China Access (Reuters, Jul. 11, 2008) Taiwan should let its chip makers build state-of-the-art, 12-inch wafer
plants in China, President Ma Ying-jeou said, reiterating an earlier pledge
to loosen restrictions on cross-strait investment.
President Calls on China to
Stop Taiwan’s International Isolation
(CNA, Jul. 4, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou called on China yesterday to end its isolation of Taiwan in the international community, saying
such a move is essential to improving relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Ma Says Taiwan Will Not
Shrink from Beijing Threat
(AFP, Jul. 3, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou on
Wednesday said Taiwan
would not shrink from a military showdown as China reportedly deployed new
ballistic missiles targeting the island despite improving ties.
Ma Suggests Maxi-Mini
Approach to China
(Taiwan
News, Jul. 1, 2008) China is both a threat and an opportunity to Taiwan, and the
person who holds the reins of the government should be smart enough to
minimize the threat of China while maximizing the opportunity it provides for
Taiwan, said President Ma Ying-jeou.
Taiwan Public Mood Index
Survey June 2008
(Global Views Survey
Research Center,
Jun. 30, 2008) The TPMI survey this
month was conducted one month after the inauguration of President Ma
Ying-jeou. TMPI this month is at 42.9, rising 2.0 points.
President Gets 48.2%
Approval Rating: Government Poll
(CNA, Jun. 27, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou received
an approval rating of 48.2 percent for his performance one month after he
assumed office May 20, according to the results of a government poll released
Thursday.
Presidential Office Issues Four-point Statement on
“Lianhe” Incident
(The Presidential Office, R.O.C., Jun. 12, 2008)
The Presidential Office on the afternoon of June 12 issued a four-point
statement regarding the incident of the Taiwan sports fishing boat
"Lianhe" that was bumped by a Japanese coast guard vessel and then
sank near the Diaoyutai islands.
Ma: Missile Withdrawal
Precondition for China Talks
(Yomiuri Shimbun, Jun. 6, 2008) Taiwan will demand
China withdraw ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan as a precondition for
future peace talks with China, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said in an
exclusive interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun.
Taiwan’s Ma Lauds Rival
China’s Openness on Tiananmen Anniversary (AP, Jun. 4, 2008) Taiwan's new leader used the 19th anniversary
of the Tiananmen Square crackdown to praise rival China on Wednesday,
breaking with his previous policy of marking the date with condemnations of
Beijing's human rights record.
Ma Welcomes Beijing’s
Reaction
(Taipei Times, May 23, 2008) President Ma
Ying-jeou yesterday welcomed Beijing’s
response to his inaugural address and urged both sides to establish mutual
trust and resume bilateral communications.
Peaceful Development of
Cross-Strait Ties Reaffirmed
(China Daily, May 22, 2008) A senior Chinese mainland official said Thursday the mainland will
strengthen the exchange with various parties, groups and personages in Taiwan
to jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
Taiwan Leader: Democracy Key
to Relations with China
(AP, May 21, 2008)Taiwan's new
president on Tuesday tied improved political relations with rival China to Beijing's
progress toward democracy — a condition the communist superpower may have
trouble meeting.
U.S. Hopes New Taiwan
President will Reduce Tensions with China
(AFP, May 21, 2008) The United States said Tuesday it
looked forward to working with Taiwan's new president Ma Ying-jeou and hoped
he would launch initiatives to reduce tension with China.
Ma’s Speech Well Received by
Dignitaries
(CNA, May 21, 2008) Foreign diplomats and dignitaries
warmly welcomed President Ma Ying-jeou's inaugural speech yesterday and
commented positively on the prospects of cross-strait relations under the
leadership of Ma and his administration.
Taiwan New Leader Takes
Office on China Pledges
(Reuters, May 20, 2008) Taiwan’s
new president took office on Tuesday with pledges to forge historic trade and
transit ties with China,
which claims the self-ruled island as its territory.
Taiwan Expects an Era of Detente with Rival China as It Inaugurates a New President (AP,
May 19, 2008) The eight-year presidency of feisty Taiwanese leader
Chen Shui-bian drew toward a close Monday, with his mild-mannered successor
promising to seek greater economic cooperation with rival China and end
nearly six decades of tensions.
Unification with China
Unlikely 'in Our Lifetimes': President-Elect
(AP, May 16, 2008) Taiwan's
new leader Ma Ying-jeou said that unification with longtime rival China
is unlikely "in our lifetimes" because Taiwanese oppose the
mainland's authoritarian rule. Ma's comments came just five days before his
inauguration.
President-Elect Ma Calls for
'Diplomatic Truce' with China
(China Post, May 11, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou called for a
"diplomatic truce" with China to create a win-win situation,
signaling a more pragmatic and reconciliatory approach in his diplomatic and
mainland China policies.
Taiwan's
Incoming President Pledges to Halt Dollar Diplomacy
(DPA, May 10, 2008) Taiwan's
incoming President Ma Ying-jeou said Saturday that Taipei
will stop using dollar diplomacy to win recognition from foreign countries as
the practice has tarnished Taiwan's
image.
President-Elect Confident of
July Opening of Weekend Charter Flights
(CNA, May 2, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang
(KMT) said Thursday he is confident that weekend charter flights across the Taiwan Strait will take off in July as expected.
Ma: Taiwan to Join
International Organizations under 'Chinese Taipei'
(CNA, Apr. 4, 2008) Taiwan's President-elect Ma
Ying-jeou signaled his intention Friday to employ pragmatism and
flexibility in his foreign policy, stating that "Chinese
Taipei" is an acceptable name for Taiwan to use in international
organizations, a suggestion that represented a significant departure
from the position of the current administration.
Ma Stresses Interpretation
of 'One-China' Key to Talks
(Taiwan
News, Apr. 2, 2008) "If China were to say that there is only 'one
China', but no room for separate interpretations of both sides, then I am
sorry to say that there is nothing to talk about," said President-elect
Ma Ying-jeou.
Chen, Ma Debate 1992
Consensus
(Taiwan News, Apr. 1, 2008) President Chen Shui-bian and his incoming
successor Ma Ying-jeou had an open meeting where the two debated the
existence and wisdom of the 1992 consensus under which Ma proposes to revive
dialogue with China.
"I love Taiwan
no less than you,” Ma told Chen. “Please feel assured I will protect the
country's sovereignty when you pass the responsibility to me.”
Ma Sees Role for KMT-CCP in
Cross-Strait Talks
(Taipei Times, Apr. 1, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou said that the
Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) would take charge of future cross-strait
negotiations, but the party-to-party communication platform between the
Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may still remain.
Ma Says He Will Focus on
Economic Ties
(Taipei Times, Mar. 24, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou pledged to seek
closer economic ties with China
and resuscitate the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) as a communication
channel on cross-strait issues.
Ma Repeats 'Mutual
Non-Denial' Policy
(China Post, Mar. 14, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday his
future government would focus on improving strained cross-strait relations
under the principle of "mutual non-denial."
Ma Says That If Elected, He
Will Invest 3% of GDP in National Defense (Taiwan
News, Mar. 5, 2008) The opposition Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma
Ying-jeou said that if he is elected president he will see that his
administration invests no less than 3 percent of the country's GDP in
national defense, in order to ensure Taiwan's national security.
Ma Sets Timetable for
Cross-Strait Air Travel
(China Post, Mar. 1, 2008) Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou set
a timetable for regular cross-strait flights that he would implement if
elected. Ma said weekend charter flights would be introduced by July 1, with
daily charter flights between China
and Taiwan
to be available by the end of this year.

Ma’s Puzzling Midterm
Malaise By Shelley Rigger
(Brookings Northeast Asia Commentary #37, Mar.
12, 2010) If the process of cross-Strait engagement slows too much, PRC
leaders may determine that no Taiwan leader, including Ma, is capable of
delivering any of what Beijing is seeking and so lose patience. That would
mean game over for the Ma Ying-jeou approach to cross-Strait rapprochement.
Ma Sacrifices Taiwan Premier
to Limit Typhoon Fallout By Tim Culpan and Janet Ong (Bloomberg, Sep.
8, 2009) Taiwan
President Ma Ying-jeou sacrificed his premier in a surprise ouster designed
to contain anger at the government’s mishandling of a deadly typhoon.
Taiwan’s Leader Faces Anger
Over Storm Response By Andrew Jacobs (New York Times, Aug. 24, 2009) Anger, not sadness, remains the
prevailing sentiment across Taiwan
as President Ma Ying-jeou grapples with his worst political crisis since
taking office last year.
Ma Calls TRA a Positive
Force in U.S.-Taiwan-China Ties
(China Post, Apr. 13, 2009) The Taiwan Relations
Act has not only symbolized the strong friendship and trust over the past
three decades, but will continue to serve as a firm foundation for
stabilizing the ties among the U.S., Taiwan and China in the future,
President Ma Ying-jeou said.
The President, the Cabinet,
and the Lawmakers’ Approval Ratings
(GVSRC, Feb. 23, 2009) 34.5% of Taiwanese people
approve President Ma’s performance over the past nine months. The approval
rate is 33% for Premier Liu.
President Ma Ying-jeou’s
Approval Rating after Eight Months in Office (GVSRC, Jan. 17, 2009) 28.7% of Taiwanese people approve of
President Ma Ying-jeou’s performance after his eight months in office, and
57.3% don’t.
Survey of Public Trust in
Chen Shui-bian and Approval Rating for President Ma Ying-jeou (GVSRC, Dec. 22, 2008) 8.2% of Taiwanese people say they trust
Chen, while 78.7% say they don’t. Meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating
after seven moths in office is 30.3%.
Survey on Senior Chinese
Envoy Chen Yunlin’s Upcoming Visit to Taiwan and Approval Ratings for the Ma Administration (Global Views, November, 2008) 50.3% of Taiwanese people support
the government’s decision to invite Chen Yunlin. Meanwhile, 23.6% of
Taiwanese are satisfied with President Ma’s performance.
New Directions and New
Concepts: President Ma and Taiwan’s Chief Challenges By
Dennis V. Hickey (Paper prepared for the 21st
Annual International Meeting of the Association of Chinese Political Studies,
Oct. 11, 2008) While the major challenges that President Ma confronts in his
first term of office are certainly formidable, they should not be
exaggerated.
Stormy Weather for Taiwan’s
Ma By Cindy Sui
(Asia Times, Oct. 4, 2008) Four months after
being sworn in as Taiwan's president, Ma Ying-jeou faces uphill battles, the
biggest of which is how to win over public confidence. However, many analysts
say the setbacks are not expected to affect Ma's continued push for better
relations with China.
GVSRC Survey: Approval
Rating for the Ma Administration and Support for Its Foreign Policy (Global Views, October, 2008) The GVSRC survey shows that 24.9% of Taiwanese people are satisfied with President Ma Ying-jeou’s
performance, while 64.5% dissatisfied.
Taking a Lesson from
Clausewitz By James Holmes
(Taipei Times,
Sep. 8, 2008) With US military supremacy on the wane in Asia, moreover, the
probable magnitude and duration of a conflict in China’s backyard will rise.
Clausewitzian logic suggests Washington
may hesitate in a time of crisis.
‘Turce’ Paying off: Presidential Office By Ko Shu-ling and Jenny W. Hsu (Taipei Times, Sep. 3,
2008) The fact that Paraguay has not switched ties to Beijing, despite its president’s
remarks, was proof that Ma’s proposal was effective, an official said.
Taiwan’s Ma Faces Big
Challenges on China Ties By Peter Enav
(AP, Aug. 30, 2008)
Beyond the immediate challenge of conducting complex commercial and political
negotiations, the two sides disagree profoundly on Taiwan's future status.
GVSRC Survey: Survey on the First 100
Days of President
Ma Ying-Jeou and the New Administration (Global Views, Aug. 29, 2008) The GVSRC survey shows that 36.1%
of Taiwanese people are satisfied with President Ma Ying-jeou’s performance
during his first 100 days in power, while 47.6% dissatisfied.
Analysis: Official Shares
Insight on ‘Diplomatic Truce’ Strategy By Shih Hsiu-Chuan (Taipei Times, Aug. 25, 2008) Taiwan is forgoing its quest to
become a UN member this year in a goodwill gesture that is expected to see
the country accepted next year as an observer in the World Health Assembly
(WHA), a high-ranking official said.
Taiwan’s Leader Keeps Low
Profile Abroad By Peter Ritter
(Time, Aug. 11, 2008) Trips abroad by Taiwanese
leaders are always diplomatically touchy since China does not recognize the
island as an independent nation. But Ma is determined to keep his campaign
promise of charting a smoother course with the mainland. Talking to Taiwan’s New
President Ma spoke with TIME ahead of
his first international diplomatic trip.
Taiwan’s Ma Set for First
Overseas Visit as President
(AFP, Aug. 11, 2008) Taiwan
President Ma Ying-jeou will shore up the island's diplomatic ties with Latin
America on his first overseas trip as leader, but he is also anxious not to
irk Washington and Beijing, analysts say.
Military Challenges for the
Kuomintang By Andrei Chang
(UPI, Jul. 23, 2008) In terms of Taiwan’s general
strategic posture, the military machinery that the Kuomintang has inherited
after winning the general election recently is in fact in a state of crisis. Taiwan’s
military build-up has been neglected for eight years.
Taiwan’s President Moves
toward Looser Japan, U.S. Ties By Jonathan Manthorpe
(Vancouver Sun, Jul. 21, 2008) An unforeseen effect of the coming to power in
Taiwan in May of president Ma Ying-jeou and the Kuomintang party is an
apparent loosening of relations with Japan and the United States,
traditionally the two guarantors of the island's independence.
The New Rules of
Cross-Strait Economic Engagement By Terry Cooke (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Jul. 17, 2008) Fundamental
restructuring of the cross-Strait economic relationship will require
sustained alignment of strategic goals and political will in Beijing
and Taipei as well as steady support in Washington DC.
What Happens after
Economics? By Chao Chien-min
(Taipei
Times, Jul. 16, 2008) Given the constraints of cross-strait historical and
structural factors, relations cannot easily advance for now. How long will
the temporary cross-strait consensus on Taiwan’s sovereignty actually
last and what challenges may ensue?
Ma Facing Difficult
Legislative Balancing Act By Wang Yeh-lih
(Taipei
Times, Jul. 14, 2008) Ma has said he wants to respect and safeguard the
Constitution, but even in the legislature, where his party holds a majority,
he faces a dilemma and will be stuck trying to balance what he should do and
what he is allowed to do.
Taiwan Urged to Capitalize
on China
(CNA, Jul. 8, 2008) Kao Chang, deputy secretary
general of the National Security Council, said it is hard for Taiwan to disconnect itself economically from China,
with an island-based economy and limited natural resources.
Timeline: Business,
Pleasure, Benefit in China-Taiwan Thaw By Gillian Murdoch (Reuters, Jul. 4, 2008) A timeline that illustrates some examples
of how relations between the two have developed from the time Ma was elected.
Taiwan’s Way with Dignity By Hisahiko Okazaki
(Japan Times, Jun. 30, 2008) If the one-China
policy is defined as loosely as the Commonwealth of
Nations, any interpretation is possible. Thus the establishment
of the Ma administration may provide a chance to break the diplomatic gridlock
in East Asia.
Diplomatic Ceasefire Must
Show Progress By Lin Cheng-yi
(Taipei Times, Jun. 30, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou
mentioned cross-strait “reconciliation and ceasefire” in his inaugural
address. However, Ma’s definition of a “diplomatic ceasefire” — its content,
scope, implementation, pros and cons — all await clarification.
Taiwan Leader Outlines His Policy Toward China By Keith Bradsher and
Edward Wong (NYT, Jun. 19,
2008) Ma said two other broad sets of issues would have to wait until after
his economic agenda had been resolved. These are Taiwan's
limited "international space" and security issues across the Taiwan Strait.
GVSRC Survey: President Ma
Ying-Jeou and the New Government
(Global Views, Jun, 2008) 58.3% of Taiwanese
people approve of President Ma Ying-jeou’s performance during the two-month
period from his election to his inauguration, and 64.2% say they are
confident in Ma’s leadership.
New Taiwan Leader Reportedly
Cautious with China By Debby Wu
(AP, May 28, 2008) Taiwan's ex-president said
Wednesday that the island's new leader will tread cautiously in dealing with
rival China,
despite pressure from some in his party to engage Beijing without delay.
Ma’s Peace Talk Just the
Beginning By Edward Chen
(Taipei Times, May 28, 2008) In his inaugural
address last Tuesday, President Ma Ying-jeou sought to sweep away eight years
of gloom and to set a cautious, yet optimistic, foundation for three-way
relations between Taiwan, China and the US. But while Ma has bid farewell to
the past, new and difficult problems have emerged.
Government Warned against
Tilting toward Mainland China
(CNA, May 26, 2008) Despite the prospects of more
peaceful relations with China, the newly-led Kuomintang (KMT) government must
be careful not to lose the support of the world's strongest nations,
especially the U.S. and Japan, Lin Cheng-yi, a research fellow of Academic
Sinica, warned Sunday.
Taiwan’s Inaugural By Richard Halloran
(Washington
Times, May 25, 2008) In tone, the inaugural address of Taiwan's new president, Ma
Ying-jeou, differed distinctly from that of his predecessor, Chen Shui-bian,
eight years ago. In substance, they were remarkably alike, particularly in
setting Taiwan's stance
toward mainland China.
Taiwan’s New President--Strait
Is the Gate
(The Economist, May 22, 2008) When Taiwan's new president, Ma Ying-jeou, made his inaugural speech
on May 20th, he was listened to closely not just by the voters who elected
him in March but by the Chinese government.
Time to
Seize the Cross-Strait Opportunity By Ralph A. Cossa
(PacNet #30, Pacific Forum, CSIS, May 2008) Ma
Ying-jeou took a big political risk in reaching out so dramatically to Beijing in his inaugural
address. Beijing
needs to respond. Washington also needs to
respond positively to Ma’s gestures, while strongly encouraging Beijing to make
significant positive gestures sooner, rather than later.
Taiwan’s
President Ma Faces High Expectation at Home and in China By Jonathan Adams (Christian Science
Monitor, May 21, 2008) Most analysts agree that Ma
should be able to expand cross-strait economic links. But some say he may
have raised expectations on political progress too high.
[The Chen Years: 2000~2008]
Analysis: Chen Leaves Mixed Legacy
(Taipei Times, May 19, 2008) Some analysts said his
cross-strait policy made the international community clear on where Taiwan
stands, but others said that it hurt economically. [The
Chen Years: 2000~2008] The Chen Years A
timeline of important events during the Chen years, composed by Taipei Times.
Taiwan Local Identity, China
Line Expected to Last
(Reuters, May 18, 2008) Chen's local identity push and his pressure on
China, which claims Taiwan as its own, are likely to endure, forcing incoming
President Ma Ying-jeou to co-opt some of those issues.
Su Chi
Will ‘Just Provide Advice’
(Taipei Times, May 13, 2008) Su Chi, the newly designated secretary-general
of the National Security Council (NSC)’ promised to serve only as an adviser
to the president and not to go beyond the scope of his authority. “[We will]
manage [the council] decently and professionally. This is our expectation,”
Su said when asked for comment.
China Sees Change In Taiwan
Leadership Bringing Closer Ties By Edward Cody
(Washington Post, Apr. 16, 2008) China expressed confidence Wednesday that an
imminent change of leadership in Taiwan will swiftly lead to direct airline connections,
increased tourism and more cross-strait investment.
Taiwan-China Meet Begins to
'Thaw the Ice': President-Elect
(AFP, Apr. 15, 2008) Weekend talks between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Taiwan's vice president-elect have started to
"thaw the ice" in ties between the rivals, the island's incoming
president Ma Ying-jeou said.
Meet Taiwan’s Conciliator-Elect
(Newsweek, Apr. 7, 2008) You now have a strong mandate. What do you think the
Taiwanese people want? They want a vibrant economy, a clean government, a
society with equitable distribution of wealth and a peaceful Taiwan Strait.
Nation's Democratic
Influence on PRC Inevitable: Ma
(Taipei Times, Apr. 7, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou said in an
interview that he does not advocate “directly exporting democracy” to China, adding that by increasing cross-strait
interaction, the merits of democracy would “naturally” lead to positive
changes in China.
Taiwan's Fresh Start By Donald H.
Straszheim
(Forbes, Apr. 7, 2008) The dust
has settled following the March 22 victory here by Kuomintang (KMT) leader Ma
Ying-jeou. Ma's focus will be on the economy, in sharp contrast with current President
Chen Shui-bian's focus on politics. I like the turnaround prospects for Taiwan's
long-stagnant equity markets and her stuck-in-the-mud economy.
Change is
Hard in Taiwan and US By Kurt Campell
(Taipei Times, Apr. 4, 2008)
KMT’s Ma Ying-jeou was elected to be the next president reflects a deep and
profound interest in political change among the body politic. There is a
palpable sense of fatigue and dissatisfaction with the policies of outgoing
President Chen Shui-bian and a desire for a change in direction both in
policies toward China on
the one hand and the US
on the other.
Taiwan's Ma Sets Plan To
Recast Ties to China
(Washington Post, Mar. 24, 2008) Taiwan's president-elect, Ma Ying-jeou,
outlined ambitious plans Sunday to revolutionize economic and security
relations with China, aiming ultimately for a peace accord ending 59 years of
hostility across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan Public Mood Index
(Global Views, Mar. 2008) The trust index for the KMT fall 1.5 point from
last month to 52.4, and the trust index for KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung also
loses 1.6 point to 53.6. Despite the loss, both indexes stay in the level of
“winning some public approval.”
Ma Seen to Place Strong
Emphasis on Japan Ties as Taiwan President (Kyodo
News, Mar. 22, 2008) Taiwan's
relations with Japan look ready to turn a corner now the island's main
opposition Nationalist Party (KMT) candidate Ma Ying-jeou clinched the next
presidency.
A Legacy of Lost Hopes in
Taiwan
(LA Times,
Mar. 10, 2008) As President Chen prepares to step down after the March 22 election,
he leaves a legacy of broken dreams and missed opportunities, an eight-year
rule marked by particularly tense relations with China, strained links with
Washington, a limping economy and a battered bureaucracy.
A SMART Strategy for National Security By Ma Ying-jeou
(February 26, 2008) to achieve our national security objectives, Taiwan
needs to be SMART. The S in SMART stands for soft power. The M in SMART
stands for Military Deterrence. The A in SMART stands for Assuring the Status
Quo. The R in START stands for Restoring Mutual Trust. These four concept
pillars hold up the final idea in SMART, the T that stands for Taiwan.
Cross-Strait Relations: Ma’s “Three No’s” By Ralph A.
Cossa
(Pacific Forum, CSIS, Jan. 18, 2008) Koumintang (KMT) candidate Ma Ying-jeou
has proclaimed a “three no’s” policy – no unification, no independence, no
use of force – in outlining his planned approach to cross-Strait relations
should he win the March 22 Taiwan presidential election. Ma’s construct is
much more thoughtful and positively oriented; it appears aimed at reassuring
three main audiences: the people of Taiwan,
the People’s Republic of China, and the United States and international
community in general.
Taiwan's Ma Seen Cautious on China Ties By Peter Enav
(Associated Press, Jan. 17, 2008) Tensions with rival China should ease if Taiwan elects front-runner Ma Ying-jeou as president in
March, though any breakthroughs with Beijing likely would have to wait until at least 2010.
International Conference on “Confidence-Building
Measures: Successful Cases and Implications for the Taiwan Strait” By Ma Ying-jeou (Jan.
16, 2008) Therefore, if elected, I will do at least two things to set the
train of Taiwan’s
regeneration going. Internally, I will uplift our democracy to make it work
for the benefit of the people, not any particular party. Externally, I will
anchor our policy on the so-called “three nos” in order to foster a peaceful
environment. That is, no negotiations for unification during my presidential
term; no pursuit of de jure independence; and no use of force by either side
of the Taiwan Strait.
|