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Ma acclaims warmer cross-strait relations

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou discusses his administration’s achievements over the past four years with Abiodun Williams, president-elect of the Academic Council on the U.N. System, June 19 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)

• Publication Date：06/20/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Rachel Chan

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said June 19 that improved cross-strait relations are helping expand Taiwan’s international space and bringing peace and stability to the Asia-Pacific region.

“Since taking office in May 2008, my administration has strived to improve relations with mainland China and eliminate cross-strait uncertainty as a reason for Taiwan’s international isolation.”

Ma made the remarks while receiving Abiodun Williams, president-elect of the Academic Council on the U.N. System, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.

According to Ma, his administration maintains the cross-strait status quo through a policy of no unification, no independence and no use of force based on the ROC Constitution and the 1992 consensus. The latter is an informal, oral understanding that there exists only one China, inclusive of the mainland and Taiwan, with both sides agreeing to differ on its precise political definition.

This pragmatic approach has increased cross-strait exchanges, with more than 6 million two-way visits made over the past four years, Ma said, adding that some 10,000 mainland Chinese students are studying in Taiwan.

Warmer cross-strait ties have created a virtuous cycle enabling Taiwan to enjoy expanded participation in international organizations, and bolstering stability in the Asia-Pacific region, he added.

Evidence of this healthy state of affairs, Ma said, includes the nation’s participation since 2009 as an observer in the World Health Assembly.

The president vowed to use the WHA model in securing a greater role for Taiwan in the International Civil Aviation Organization and U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. (JSM)

Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw