Kuomintang

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

Taiwan will tear down all remaining statues of Chiang Kai-shek in public spaces

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Taiwan’s government will remove all remaining statues of late president Chiang Kai-shek from public spaces in what is seen as a bid to erase his legacy and the historical link with mainland China. Chiang ruled the island for nearly three decades until his death in 1975. He had led his Nationalist or Kuomintang troops to … 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

No problem that can’t be talked through, President Xi Jinping tells Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou in historic Beijing talks

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In opening remarks made in the presence of the press on Wednesday, both Xi and Ma sought to strike a conciliatory tone despite prolonged cross-strait tensions. 01:26 President Xi Jinping meets Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou in historic talks in Beijing President Xi Jinping meets Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou in historic talks in Beijing Referring to his guest … 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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He added: “I also hope that through this rare opportunity, young people from Taiwan will remember the roots of Chinese culture and the Chinese nation, as well as the pride of being a descendant of the Yellow Emperor.” Although Ma did not mention reunification, the official tribute from the Shaanxi authorities said “cross-strait reunification is … Read more

‘President did not dare attend’: Taiwan opposition questions Tsai Ing-wen’s absence from Taiping pier ceremony

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Tsai, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, has come under fire from opposition legislators for not taking the opportunity to uphold the island’s claim over Taiping. “We all know clearly that we have spent NT$1.7 billion (US$53 million) in [renovating] the pier at Taiping and an inauguration ceremony is held there today …. But President … Read more

Ex-president Ma Ying-jeou accused by former aide of being indifferent to stopping Taiwan-centric culture taking root on island

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“Many offered constructive advice to Ma when he ran for president [in 2008], but after he took office, it seemed he was busy with his administration and stopped short of correcting the misconceptions of the previous years … Many people asked him to reset the guideline changes, but he appeared indifferent,” Su wrote. Su also … Read more