Taiwan Today

President Ma Ying-jeou set off May 26 on a state visit to Central America stressing that his administration would consider expanding cooperation projects with allies if necessary. “Cooperation projects will not stop or be cut back. If bilateral evaluations conclude they warrant extending, we will be happy to consider this,” Ma said. During the visit, Ma and his entourage will stopover in Los Angeles before visiting Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador for the inauguration of President-elect Mauricio Funes June 1. Ma is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan June 4 after transiting through Seattle. Accompanied by his wife Chow Mei-ching, who is making her first trip abroad as first lady, the president is leading a nearly 160-strong delegation consisting of representatives from colleges, cultural groups, local government and nongovernmental organizations. Given concerns over the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, Ma’s medical team will be on standby throughout the trip. Ample medical equipment and medicine will be on hand. At a meeting with senior military officials from Taiwan’s Central and South American diplomatic allies at the Presidential Office May 26, Ma reiterated his administration’s position on its diplomatic truce policy. “We have worked hard to improve cross-strait relations since last May and tensions across the Taiwan Strait have eased tremendously,” he said. “We have seen a glimpse of light in peace, and hope to extend cross-strait rapprochement to the international arena so both sides no longer engage in fierce competition to lure each other’s allies.” The president emphasized that improving cross-strait relations will not affect Taiwan’s long-term ties with its allies. “Our allies not only share ties of historical meaning with us, but also the same values of democracy and liberty.”