Ma Ying-jeou, a former leader of Taiwan, said the island will not succeed in seeking “independence” and that preserving unification with the Chinese mainland as a potential option is the best way forward, according to Taiwan.cn, which quoted media reports from Taiwan and the US on Thursday.
Ma made the comments during a visit to the United States, where he met with scholars and experts at four major think tanks in New York on Wednesday.
Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou (L2) visits New York, US on March 1, 2017. /Taiwan.cn
He stressed that Taiwan will not succeed in seeking “independence.” In his words, the island should say no to secession and preserve unification with mainland China as a potential option. ”I think this could be the best way forward for Taiwan’s survival,” he said.
Ma, who was Taiwan’s leader from 2008 to 2016, also commented on the economic relationship between Taiwan and the US. He indicated that when the US withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) under President Donald Trump, Taiwan became the first victim, as the island had been making great efforts to join the TPP.
With the TPP all but dead, Ma casted doubt on whether Taiwan could join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) backed by the Chinese mainland, if current relations between the two sides do not improve.
Current Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus has hampered cross-Strait communication. /Taiwan.cn
Cross-Strait communications have been hampered by current leader Tsai Ing-wen's refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus, which affirms the one-China principle.
During a meeting with Xi Jinping in Singapore in November 2015, Ma said the two sides should consolidate the consensus of the one-China principle and make contributions to the revival of the Chinese nation.
Xi Jinping (L) and Ma Ying-jeou wave hands during their meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on November 7, 2015. /Xinhua Photo
The 1992 Consensus with the endorsement of the one-China principle is the common political foundation for advancing the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, Ma said.
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