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Chen’s Legacy and Ma Era
[Speeches and Documents] [Interviews] [News] [Papers]
Speeches and Documents
Taiwan’s Renaissance:
The Inauguration Speech of President Ma Ying-jeou
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
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.
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.
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 | 
