Meeting with Xi about Normalising Ties with China: Ma

TODAY

06 November 2015

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday that his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was about further normalising ties with China and had nothing to do with trying to revive his party’s fortunes ahead of the island’s elections in January.

His discussions with Mr Xi could help reduce hostilities in the short term, Mr Ma said in his first public remarks since the announcement of the meeting late on Tuesday night. He added that he hoped future leaders of Taiwan would be able to hold such meetings.

“This meeting is for the Republic of China’s future, the future of cross-strait ties,” Mr Ma said, referring to Taiwan.

“This is not about an election, but is based on the consideration of the happiness of the next generation,” said Mr Ma, who added that the talks would be transparent, and no private promises would be made.

… Analysts at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) — Ms Stefanie Kam, an Associate Research Fellow, and Mr Santosh Sharma Poudel, a doctorate student — told TODAY that “the challenge remains for both sides to find out ways to institutionalise the progresses made in cross-strait relations in political terms, so that the relationship continues to progress in a positive trajectory, regardless of the political party that comes to power in Taiwan.”

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Last updated on 13/11/2015