ma ying-jeou

Global Impact: Mainland China pins its hopes on Taiwan’s former leader Ma Ying-jeou after meeting Xi Jinping during ‘journey of peace’

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Observers have suggested that by showcasing Ma’s visit, China is sending a message to Lai and reaffirming its pursuit of peaceful reunification with Taiwan, despite escalating tensions that have caused concern among regional powers and Western nations. Both sides sought to strike a conciliatory tone. “There is no grudge that cannot be resolved. No problem … Read more

Beijing pledges to lift curbs on Taiwan travel but waits for cue from William Lai

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Travel between the island and the mainland has become increasingly limited since 2019 as cross-strait tensions triggered restrictions. “We sincerely invite Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland more often, and we are also happy to see mainland people visit the treasured island of our motherland,” Xi said, adding the exchanges could “promote trust and forge … Read more

Taiwan’s president-elect calls for ‘healthy dialogues’ with Beijing in party-to-party talks

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His remarks came amid soaring cross-strait tensions. Beijing has denounced Lai as a “troublemaker” and an “obstinate separatist”, and has tried to downplay the significance of the ruling party’s electoral victory. The DPP won just 40 per cent of the ballot and lost its majority in the legislature. Earlier this month, Taiwan’s former leader Ma … Read more

Opinion | Taiwan’s incoming government faces tough task to win back public

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The following week, mainland Chinese coastguard troops boarded and searched a Taiwanese cruise ship near Quemoy. Two Taiwanese fishermen were also detained on March 18, one of whom was handed back. The other remains in mainland custody after being found to be a Taiwanese soldier. Given Quemoy’s proximity to the mainland, Taiwan would probably struggle … Read more

Ma Ying-jeou’s mainland China trip shows he’s Beijing’s best hope to win Taiwanese hearts and minds

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“Even though our political systems and perspectives may differ from those of the mainland, we are all descendants of the Yellow Emperor, belonging to the same Chinese nation,” Ma said upon returning to Taiwan on Thursday, wrapping up a trip he dubbed a “journey of peace”. “I also hope that the young people of Taiwan … Read more

Chinese nationals in Philippine Coast Guard, twin sisters reunite: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

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A research team in China says it has discovered a potentially fatal flaw in Nasa’s hypersonic aerodynamics software. This small deficiency amid tangled equations could lead to “inevitably erroneous outcomes” when scientists simulate and analyse important issues, such as high-temperature ablation, the team said. 3. Is it time for Hong Kong authorities to take a … Read more

President Xi Jinping meets Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou in historic first, 9 years after landmark Singapore handshake

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Wednesday’s talks come as Ma wraps up an 11-day “journey of peace” to the mainland, following a landmark visit just over a year ago. In opening remarks made in the presence of the press, both Xi and Ma sought to strike a conciliatory tone despite the prolonged cross-strait tensions. Referring to his guest as “Mister … Read more

Taiwan’s former leader Ma Ying-jeou rejects Japan’s claims to Diaoyu Islands during mainland China trip

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Tokyo claims the Diaoyus belong to the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, which includes the area once known as Ryukyu. However, Beijing has long disputed the notion that the Diaoyus were part of the Ryukyu kingdom. Okinawa or Ryukyu? The prefecture on the front line of China-Japan ties Liu Chengyong, director of the China National Archives … Read more

Young Taiwanese urged to ‘remember the roots of the Chinese nation’ by island’s former leader Ma Ying-jeou

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On Thursday, Ma visited the northwestern province of Shaanxi to pay tribute to the Yellow Emperor, a legendary ruler from 5,000 years ago who is considered an ancestor of the Chinese people. Speaking after the ceremony – which took place on Ching Ming, a festival where people traditionally honour their ancestors – Ma said these … Read more

A second KMT leader from Taiwan plans a visit to mainland China next week

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Hau Lung-bin, a former mayor of Taipei, will visit mainland China next week, following the “journey of peace” visit by former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou which began this week. Speaking on a radio programme on Wednesday, Hau, the son of former Taiwan premier Hau Pei-tsun, said he would spend three to four days visiting central … Read more