Former President Ma sets off on China trip amid criticism from pan-green groups

Former President Ma sets off on China trip amid criticism from pan-green groups

2023-03-27

Former President Ma Ying-jeou set off on his 12-day China visit on Monday afternoon, amid much criticism from members of the DPP and other pan-green parties. A New Power Party lawmaker says Ma is dancing with the enemy, and is sending the wrong message to the international community. Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan urged Ma to maintain Taiwan’s dignity during the tour. Let’s hear from the critics.

Cheng Wen-tsan
Vice premier
Former President Ma Ying-jeou served as president for eight years. He has fully experienced the difficult position that the R.O.C. Taiwan is in. Decisions like that will be closely examined by everyone. We hope he’ll be treated respectfully and defend the dignity that Taiwan should have.

Chang Chih-hao
DPP spokesperson
At this critical juncture, with the recent breaking of ties between Honduras and Taiwan, why can’t former President Ma Ying-jeou go without his trip to China? It wouldn’t be excessive for him to set off one day later, or delay the whole thing for a few days.

Chiu Hsien-chih
NPP lawmaker
It’s such a sensitive moment, so everyone will see that the visit has political undertones. What message is this sending to the international community? It’s like he’s dancing with the enemy.

Claire Wang
NPP chair
China is malicious. It systematically oppresses Taiwan on the international stage. I think this move should be severely condemned. But what we’re seeing is former President Ma Ying-jeou’s insistence on setting off at this time. He’s clearly not making an effort for Taiwan.

Previously, Ma’s China visit had raised controversy amid concerns that the former president would be belittled across the strait. For example, Ma will be referred to as “Mr. Ma” during the visit, without mention of his former position as head of state. The Presidential Office says it hopes the relevant protocol for retired heads of state will be followed during the visit.

中惡意搶我友邦.馬英九堅持訪中綠抨擊其心可議

2023-03-27

台宏昨天斷交，前總統馬英九的中國行卻沒取消，今天下午照原定計畫搭機前往中國進行為期12天的訪問，民進黨痛批馬英九和中國一起打壓台灣，時力與基進也開轟，馬英九的行徑是"與狼共舞"，行政院長副院長鄭文燦則呼籲馬英九，能夠保有台灣該有的尊嚴。

[[行政院副院長鄭文燦]]
“馬前總統過去擔任過八年的總統，他對中華民國台灣的處境，應該有深切的體會，這些抉擇也勢必要接受各界的檢驗，我們希望能夠秉持對等尊嚴的立場，能夠保有台灣該有的尊嚴”

[[民進黨發言人張志豪]]
“為什麼馬英九作為前總統，在台宏外交這個國家的關鍵時刻，你非要訪中不可，如果說他的態度是晚一天，或者是延遲的態度，就是晚個幾天去，那也不為過”

[[立委(時力) 邱顯智]]
“在這個敏感的時刻，任何人都會知道說這是有政治意涵，這到底要帶給國際社會什麼樣的訊息，這根本就是在與狼共舞嘛”

[[時代力量黨主席王婉諭]]
“中國是非常惡意，有系統性的打壓台灣的國際社會空間，我覺得對於這樣的動作，必須要給予嚴厲的譴責，然而我們卻看到，馬前總統堅持在這時間點出訪，顯然是沒有為了台灣來做努力”

馬英九此趟中國行，除了時機點敏感，北京也各種矮化，包括稱呼他為"馬先生"，更誇張的是要求台灣媒體也必須遵守。總統府則表示，期待中國政府能準照國際間接待前任元首的基本原則，給予合乎規格的安排。

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The severing of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Honduras on Sunday has reignited debate on whether Taiwan should change its approach to diplomacy. One DPP lawmaker has suggested that Taiwan begin accepting “dual recognition,” and maintain ties with countries that also recognize Beijing. Meanwhile, one KMT lawmaker says that Taiwan could start a new chapter of international relations if the U.S. and Japan would resume formal relations with Taiwan.

Joseph Wu
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On Sunday, Taiwan and Honduras broke off diplomatic relations, leaving Taiwan with 13 diplomatic allies. One day later foreign minister Joseph Wu stated that nothing was off the table when it comes to Taiwan’s international relations. The comment has fueled speculation that Taiwan could switch to an approach of “dual recognition,” allowing countries to have diplomatic ties with both Taiwan and China.

Wang Ting-yu
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We’d be happy to accept any country that is willing to establish official or quasi-official relations with Taiwan. We could abandon the former KMT policy that goes “gentlemen and thieves cannot coexist.” After all, many countries around the world have diplomatic relations with China. Perhaps leaving such a policy would worry China, and put the ball in their court.

Lee De-wei
KMT lawmaker
The ruling administration, that is, President Tsai Ing-wen and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should consider which approach is in the R.O.C.’s interests. Everyone would support policies that are beneficial for Taiwan.

Both ruling and opposition lawmakers say they would endorse a shift in Taiwan’s diplomatic approach. The current policy has its roots in Taiwan’s authoritarian past. KMT leader Chiang Kai-shek insisted that the R.O.C. in Taiwan was the “real China,” referring to the communist leadership of the PRC as mere “insurgent groups.” Since then, the official policy in Taiwan has been to terminate ties with any country that established diplomatic relations with Beijing. One KMT lawmaker say that the times have changed, adding that if the U.S. and Japan were to resume official ties with Taiwan, it could be a new beginning for Taiwan’s foreign relations.

Johnny Chiang
KMT lawmaker
The U.S. should take the lead and consider resuming diplomatic relations with the R.O.C. Otherwise, it’s very hard for them to persuade other countries to establish diplomatic ties with us, or to not break off relations with us. That’s also the case for Japan, which stands with Taiwan. If they stand with Taiwan, they might as well resume official ties with us.

Cheng Wen-tsan
Vice premier
What we pursue is regional peace and democratic values. Our main approach to international relations is to continue moving forward with friends that share these ideals and values.

Whether Taiwan will let go of its authoritarian legacy and expand its international reach remains to be seen.

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A photo exhibition remembering former Japanese PM is held in Taipei

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was a staunch ally of Taiwan’s, and his assassination last year left many Taiwanese saddened. A photo exhibition recalling Abe’s numerous exchanges with Taiwan is being held in his memory, and is the first such memorial for a former Japanese prime minister to be held outside of Japan. President Tsai Ing-wen showed up for the exhibition’s opening day, to express her thoughts on the former PM, who she called a good friend.

Pictures of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s past exchanges with Taiwan adorn the walls of a memorial exhibition in Taipei. President Tsai Ing-wen attended the exhibition’s opening day Monday to make a speech.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was a good friend of Taiwan, and a good friend of mine. Abe once shared a photo of himself holding a Taiwanese pineapple and smiling warmly. He had repeatedly called on the international community to pay attention to the stability of the Taiwan Strait. His friendship and contributions to Taiwan laid an important foundation for the development of Taiwan-Japan relations.

Frank Hsieh
Representative to Japan
The reason Taiwanese fondly remember Abe is because he supported us, and he was very considerate and attentive. He is historically the most Taiwan-friendly Japanese prime minister.

Abe was assassinated in July last year. To remember him, Japan held three photo exhibitions, with a fourth one held outside Japan – in Taiwan.

Izumi Hiroyasu
Japanese representative to Taiwan
For such a grand memorial exhibition for a former Japanese prime minister to be held outside of Japan is historically unprecedented. This demonstrates how much love and respect our Taiwanese friends have for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The exhibition opened just one day after Taiwan and Honduras broke diplomatic ties. Commenting on the matter, Japan’s representative to Taiwan had posted to Facebook saying that Japan would always stand with Taiwan, and would continue to strive for Taiwan.

Izumi Hiroyasu
Japanese representative to Taiwan
We always support Taiwan, which our good friend. When Taiwan faces problems, we are concerned. Just as when we face problems, Taiwan also is concerned.

His words of support are a comforting reminder for many in Taiwan, who are still reeling from the loss of another diplomatic ally.

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Taichung taxi industry celebrates husband and wife team

The city of Taichung has a couple of taxi drivers with a very sweet story. Chang Ken-feng and Liang Su-hua had both lost their spouses when they met through their shared work. As they swapped tips on the taxi industry, they grew closer and closer. Now they’re the first married couple to get a double thumbs-up from the city of Taichung. And they volunteer for the local taxi bus, a free service for rural residents of Taichung.

Close the doors and fasten the seatbelts. The husband and wife are both behind a driving wheel and off they go.

They pull up in rural Taichung.

The driver and passenger chat easily like old friends. The Taichung taxi bus goes up into the mountains, and down along the coast, offering free transport to locals. The couple love to provide this service, despite living on a modest income.

Chang Ken-feng
Taxi bus driver
When you get feedback from your service, it’s a kind of gratitude. That kind of service gives you more of a feeling of power.

After losing their respective spouses, taxi drivers Chang Ken-feng and Liang Su-hua met through work, and ended up married once more.

Liang Su-hua
Taxi bus driver
When I first started in this industry, I had an upset stomach every day. He told me, in this job, if there’s ever something you don’t know about the road, you can always ask me. I thought, “What a kind person!”

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Chang Ken-feng
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For example, if we were both free at 6 o’clock, we’d go out and get coffee and chat. And then around 7 we’d both go off and get to work.

Alongside their marriage, they’re a formidable team at work, supporting each other 24/7, day and night.

Liang Su-hua
Taxi bus driver
It’s very convenient. The person who needs support is always right by you, always available.

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Wheelchair ballroom dancing champion visits old school to share her story

And now for a spotlight on champion wheelchair ballroom dancer Ho Hsin-ju. After losing her legs at the age of 9, Ho Hsin-ju spent many years coming to terms with life in a wheelchair. When she found ballroom dancing, everything changed. She and her husband now tour Taiwan and abroad, winning championships with their snappy routines. We went with her on a poignant visit to her old school, to share her passion for dance with the next generation.

Children sit in the school hall, enraptured, and clap as they listen to the dancer in front of them. Then it’s time to get up and give ballroom dancing a try.

Ho Hsin-ju shows off some of her elegant moves. She was invited back to her alma mater, Shanchi Elementary in Hsinchu, to introduce her art to the students.

Ho Hsin-ju
Wheelchair ballroom dancer
Decades later, I have the opportunity to come back and share my experiences with the young students. If feels like a return to glory. I’m grateful to the children for their encouragement.

Ho has given speeches all across Taiwan – but coming back to her own school is a different task. She was just in second grade when she lost both her legs in a tragic railway accident. Before that, she had been an avid runner; in an instant her running dreams were lost.

Ho Hsin-ju
Wheelchair ballroom dancer
My biggest dream back then was to be in the Olympic track and field team. But later I came across this wheelchair, and when I saw it, it was like seeing a pair of legs. I practiced as hard as I possibly could.

Through many ups and downs, Ho learned how to dance in a wheelchair, making it her new legs. Eventually she won an international reputation, and clinched no. 1 at the Asian Para DanceSport Championships. Her husband shares her passion for dance, and together they enjoy extreme sports as well as competing together on the dance floor.

Husband of Ho Hsin-ju
We have the same interests, so we’ve tried out lots of extreme sports together – things I had never done before, like touring the whole country, diving, kayaking, and paragliding.

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