Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, during a meeting with China's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Song Tao, stated that cooperation across the Taiwan Strait benefits both sides while separation harms both. He also cited Taiwanese surveys indicating that a majority of the public supports strengthening civil exchanges and interactions between the two sides.
According to reports from Taiwan's United Daily News and Up Media, Ma Ying-jeou, currently leading a delegation on a visit to mainland China, visited the exhibition hall and factory of battery manufacturer CATL on the 17th, followed by a meeting with Song Tao.
Ma Ying-jeou said that every time he visits mainland China, he brings along university students from Taiwan, not only to broaden the students' horizons but also to build bridges for cross-strait civil exchanges. He noted that, given the current tense cross-strait relations, rational and pragmatic exchanges are even more precious.
He expressed pleasure in seeing an increasing number of young people from Taiwan choosing to study, intern, and even start businesses in mainland China. He also hopes that young people from mainland China will have more opportunities to understand Taiwan and personally experience the vitality it demonstrates in technological development and social integration.
Ma Ying-jeou believes that under the shared political foundation of the "1992 Consensus" and opposition to Taiwan independence, both sides of the Strait can move forward hand in hand. He pointed out that the two sides had previously signed 23 agreements covering various fields, proving the political reality that cooperation benefits both sides while separation harms both. He said that there remains significant potential for cross-strait civil exchanges, offering hope for creating a better future together.
He also mentioned that recent Taiwanese surveys show that a majority of the public supports enhancing civil exchanges and interactions across the Strait. Even a survey commissioned by Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council indicated that over 80% of respondents favor continued cross-strait exchanges. He urged mainland China to respect Taiwanese public opinion and to promote peace and stability in cross-strait relations as much as possible.
Ma Ying-jeou expressed his heartfelt hope that the two sides can continue to engage in peaceful and rational interactions to create more space for dialogue. He believes that peace should not be just a slogan but a value that requires mutual safeguarding. He has also repeatedly called publicly in Taiwan not to suppress cross-strait civil exchanges, as true understanding and cooperation can only come through sincere contact and collaboration.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Song Tao stated during the meeting: "The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese, one family. We must jointly shoulder historical responsibilities, uphold the One-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, firmly oppose Taiwan independence and external interference, actively promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, and collectively become participants, builders, and beneficiaries of Chinese-style modernization. Together, we can maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, advance the process of national reunification, create enduring well-being for the Chinese nation, and share the glory of national rejuvenation."