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China's new leader to continue current Taiwan policy: Ma

Central News Agency

2013/03/07 23:45:59

Taipei, March 7 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said Thursday that China will continue its current policy towards Taiwan under its new leadership, and that it is more important for the two sides to broaden their existing ties than move towards building a political relationship.

During a speech delivered in Taipei, Ma said he believes China's new leader Xi Jinping will follow the policy of his predecessor regarding Taiwan.

Given that cross-strait relations have improved a great deal over the last few years, "there is no reason not to continue that," he added.

China, however, certainly wants to have more political contact across the Taiwan Strait, Ma said.

But the issue might be considered sensitive in Taiwan, and "at this moment, the most important thing for Taiwan to do is to broaden and deepen the existing relationship," he said in response to questions on China-Taiwan ties.

For example, Taiwan will try to allow more Chinese visitors to the island, which will contribute to the development of bilateral ties, Ma said. Negotiating with China on establishing offices in each other's side is also important, he added.

His speech was part of an annual conference held for the participants of an international education program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The participants are individuals studying or teaching in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Meanwhile, Taiwan will build a relationship with China, based on old ties, but with new features, Ma said, adding that this "is more important than the so-called political relationship."

"If you come to the political relation, you have to face the very difficult question of sovereignty," he said.

"I think both sides will get more without having to touch some of the difficult issues, which will not be solved for many years to come," he added.

Asked about a meeting with Xi, Ma said he has not met with him before, and such a meeting will be difficult because of how the two men should address each other.

"I have to be addressed as President Ma, but I think that would be difficult for them," he said, adding that Taiwan has the same problem as well.

At the end of the civil war in China in 1949, the government of the Republic of China retreated to Taiwan. But the People's Republic of China, which has been ruled by the Communist Party of China since then, sees Taiwan as part of its territory.

During his speech, Ma also answered a question on national identity. He said, when asked, he would respond that he is the president of the ROC, but that the ROC "is also commonly known as Taiwan."

In the democratic society in Taiwan, one can say he is Taiwanese, Chinese, or both, Ma said, adding that there is no need to distinguish one from the other.

Ma also cited the Netherlands as an example. A lot of people from the Netherlands would now say they are from Holland, he said. Holland is in the western part of the Netherlands.

(By Elaine Hou)