Critics concerned over ‘belittlement’ of former President Ma on China trip

2023-03-21

The controversy continues over a planned trip to China by former President Ma Ying-jeou. The former head of state will be referred to as “Mr. Ma” during his visit, without mention of his former position as head of state. In addition, reports say that his accompanying personnel won’t be allowed to carry weapons on the trip. In response, Taiwan’s premier said that the relevant units were coordinating over security, and that they would do everything possible to ensure Ma’s safety.

Ma Ying-jeou will be Taiwan’s first retired president to visit China. But across the strait, he will not be addressed by his title. Instead, he’ll be referred to as Mr. Ma.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
We hope that he can still uphold the dignity and sovereignty of our country during the trip. President Ma is not just Mr. Ma. He is a former head of state. His behavior and actions will be watched closely.

Chiu Tai-san
Mainland Affairs Council
The unification campaign waged by the mainland is completely unscrupulous. So we must remind former President Ma that he is in fact our former president. All of his movements in the mainland will be scrutinized by everyone. We wouldn’t want him to be belittled.

And the controversy doesn’t stop at Ma’s form of address. Reports say China is prohibiting his entourage from carrying weapons.

Wang Mei-hui
DPP lawmaker
Ma Ying-jeou is just timid in the face of China. Are we to do everything that China says? According to reports, China demanded that his people not be armed.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
If that is so, ensuring his safety would be more difficult. The relevant agencies are still coordinating the matter with China.

Liu Shih-fang
DPP lawmaker
Back when former Vice President Lien Chan visited mainland China, he had the National Security Bureau, and his entourage was even allowed to carry guns. We hope that mainland China will follow precedent.

The questionable protocol has sparked concern from both government officials and the general public. Calls are rising for Ma to maintain Taiwan’s dignity during his tour.

矮化? "馬先生"赴中祭祖傳中國不讓隨扈配槍

2023-03-21

前總統馬英九下週一即將啟程，前往中國訪問，不過還沒出發已經爆出矮化傳聞，像是馬辦昨天證實，中方將以"馬先生"稱呼他，另外，也傳出中國要求隨同出訪的馬英九隨扈不能配槍，對此，行政院長陳建仁表示，相關單位仍在協調中，會盡最大可能保護馬英九安全。

台灣第一位訪問中國的卸任元首，卻在中國口中成了馬先生，話題在政壇持續發燒。

[[行政院長陳建仁]]
“我們希望他此行能夠維護國家的尊嚴和主權，而且馬總統不只是馬先生，更是卸任元首，他的行為舉止動見觀瞻。”

[[陸委會主委邱太三]]
“大陸對台灣的統戰，絕對是無所不用其極的，所以這也是我們必須要提醒，馬前總統他到底還是我們的前總統，所以他到大陸去，各項的作為絕對會被大家來做檢視，所以我們也不希望他被矮化。”

不只中方將以"馬先生"稱呼馬前總統，另外，也傳出中國要求隨同出訪的馬英九隨扈不能配槍，引發爭議。

[[立委(民) 王美惠]]
“不就卸任的馬英九怕中共，他們說什麼我們就要信什麼嗎？報導寫說對方要求不能帶槍去。”

[[行政院院長陳建仁]]
“這樣要維護他的安全比較困難，我們相關的單位還在和中國那邊協調。”

[[立委(民) 劉世芳]]
“包括卸任的國家副元首連戰先生，他去中國大陸訪問的時候，有國安局甚至可以有隨扈配槍的話，我們也希望中國大陸可以依照以往的慣例。”

從稱呼到規格，都不像卸任元首，也難怪政府和民代接連喊話，要馬英九守住台灣尊嚴。