On the 14th, former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou led students from the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation's 'Dajiutang' to visit mainland China. He expressed hopes to promote closer civilian exchanges across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged mutual learning and interaction among the youth from both sides, believing it would greatly aid peaceful development across the strait.
Ma Ying-jeou and his delegation will be visiting mainland China from the 14th to the 27th, attending the 17th Straits Forum in Xiamen, Fujian, and participating in activities to jointly promote Chinese culture across the strait in Dunhuang, Gansu.
In a statement before departing from Taoyuan International Airport in the morning, Ma Ying-jeou noted that this was his fourth visit to mainland China, once again accompanied by students from the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation's 'Dajiutang.' The aim is not only to deepen understanding of the history and industrial development of Fujian but also to promote closer civilian exchanges through face-to-face interactions.
Ma Ying-jeou stated that the youth from both sides of the strait represent a shared future. Through this exchange, he hopes to encourage more Taiwanese youth to visit the mainland and welcomes mainland youth to visit Taiwan, fostering mutual learning and interaction. He believes this will significantly contribute to peaceful development across the strait, which has been the unwavering goal of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation.
Regarding Ma Ying-jeou's delegation attending the Straits Forum, the Executive Yuan reminded that cross-strait exchanges should be depoliticized, de-risked, and de-unified. They should avoid the risk of falling into a unification trap during exchanges. Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council, Liang Wen-chieh, previously indicated surprise at Ma Ying-jeou's participation in the Straits Forum, stating it was 'fundamentally a misstep in position,' and called for upholding the principles of equality and dignity during participation, abiding by cross-strait regulations, keeping in mind the sentiments of Taiwanese society, and safeguarding sovereignty, security, and core interests.