TAIPEI: Former President Ma Ying-jeou embarked on his latest visit to China, marking his fourth trip to the mainland since leaving office. This visit included his first-time attendance at the Straits Forum, where he aims to promote “closer people-to-people exchanges” across the Taiwan Strait.
According to Focus Taiwan, Ma stated before departing from Taoyuan International Airport that the visit would deepen understanding of Fujian Province’s local history and industrial development while encouraging more young people from Taiwan and mainland China to engage in mutual exchanges. Ma, who led Taiwan from 2008 to 2016, emphasized the importance of these interactions for fostering cross-strait peace, with his first stop being Xiamen in Fujian province.
Leading a delegation of Taiwanese students, Ma plans to attend the 17th Straits Forum in Xiamen, scheduled to begin on Sunday. The forum, first held in 2009, aims to promote broad exchanges and enhance cooperation between the two sides. This year’s event is expected to draw 7,000 participants from Taiwan, including political representatives and delegates from various sectors, as stated by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office.
Ma’s attendance at the forum has sparked criticism from the administration of President Lai Ching-te. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) expressed concerns about Ma becoming a propaganda tool for Beijing’s united front efforts targeting Taiwan. The MAC reminded Ma to adhere to cross-strait affairs laws and cautioned against cooperating with the Chinese Communist Party’s political agenda.
In response, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, CEO of Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party for using the term “united front” to deter public engagement in cross-strait exchanges. Hsiao argued that the term lacks a legal basis in the Republic of China’s laws, as reported by the United Daily News.
Following the Straits Forum, Ma’s delegation is set to visit Gansu Province in northwestern China to participate in cultural activities and explore the Silk Road, according to Hsiao.