Ma hopes to reunite with ‘old friend’ during China visit: office
Former President Ma Ying-jeou will visit China from April 1 to 11, according to his office. The office director said that during the trip, Ma hopes to reunite with his “old friend,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The pair first met nine years ago, at a historic summit in Singapore. Responding to the trip’s announcement, Premier Chen Chien-jen expressed respect for Ma’s plans. But he urged Ma to convey Taiwan’s mainstream public opinion during his meetings.
Former President Ma Ying-jeou will return to China on April 1 at the invitation of Chinese authorities, his office announced. His 11-day visit will include a stop in Beijing. His foundation expressed hope for a second meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation director
Of course, we hope that if we have the opportunity to go to Beijing – it’s been nine years since they met, and I feel that former President Ma would want to see his old friend. Of course, we will be guests there, so we respect China’s arrangements. The two of them made history together in 2015. So we hope to have the opportunity to reunite with an old friend.
According to the director of Ma’s foundation, Xi had said, “Until we meet again” at the end of the 2015 Ma-Xi summit. Ma, too, would be happy to see an old friend, the director said.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation director
No matter who he meets in China, whether it’s Chinese students, citizens or officials, former President Ma wants to convey the sentiments of the Taiwanese people: That we are a people who love peace and oppose war, and that we want cross-strait peace and exchanges.
Chen Chien-jen
Premier
We respect former President Ma’s right to plan his personal itinerary. With regard to the former president’s request for security arrangements, we will provide the necessary assistance. I also want to ask former President Ma to remember the Taiwanese people’s values during his travels: values such as sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law.
Wu Szu-yao
DPP lawmaker
He should avoid participating in activities with a pro-unification overtone. I also hope that during his trip, no matter who he meets – however high-level they are – he will convey messages befitting his position as a former R.O.C. president, messages that reflect mainstream opinion in Taiwan.
Premier Chen Chien-jen urged Ma to convey Taiwan’s mainstream public opinion in China. He also said Ma should notify the Presidential Office of who he will meet, and not accept every encounter arranged by his hosts.
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2024-03-26