Latest news with #MaYingjeou
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan's former leader Ma Ying-jeou calls for ‘peaceful and democratic' unification
Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou proposed that unification between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should be achieved peacefully and democratically – rejecting the use or threat of force – in a rare unscripted moment during a speech on the mainland on Thursday. Advertisement It marked the first time Ma, also the former chairman of the mainland-friendly Kuomintang (KMT), has explicitly expressed his views on unification during his four visits to mainland China. His current trip started on June 14 and ends on Friday. 'My position is that the two sides of the strait should pursue peaceful and democratic unification,' said Ma, who served as Taiwan's leader from 2008 to 2016. He made the remarks at a Chinese cultural event in Dunhuang , a city in Gansu province, according to Taiwan's United Daily News on Thursday. He went on to clarify that unification should not be achieved through 'the use or threat of force' and must 'respect the will of the people of Taiwan', according to the report. The comments – delivered off-script during a carefully arranged visit – were addressed to roughly 180 attendees, which included Song Tao , head of the mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office. Advertisement In response to Ma's surprise comment, Song said in his remarks following Ma's speech that 'the future and destiny of Taiwan should be jointly decided by all Chinese people on both sides of the strait', according to a separate report by United Daily News.
Zawya
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The 17th Straits Forum Held in Xiamen, China: Promoting Cross-Strait Folk Exchanges and Integrated Development
XIAMEN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 June 2025 - The opening ceremony of the 17th Straits Forum was held in the morning of the 15th in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. As the largest-scaled, widest-ranging and most influential folk exchange event across the Taiwan Strait, guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered together to discuss the beautiful vision of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. This session of the Straits Forum focused on the theme of "Expanding Folk Exchanges and Deepening Integrated Development". It set up four major sections, namely grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, cultural exchanges, and economic exchanges, with 56 series of activities arranged. The main venue of the forum was in Xiamen, while related activities were held in relevant prefecture-level cities in Fujian and the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone. More than 7,000 people from all walks of life in Taiwan were invited to participate. Ma Ying-jeou, the former chairperson of the Kuomintang who attends the Straits Forum for the first time, stated in his speech at the meeting that the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is the common aspiration of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The natural bond of Chinese people on both sides, who share the same roots and origin, cannot be severed, and non-governmental exchanges across the Strait are unstoppable. Currently, Fujian is steadfastly expanding economic and trade cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, deepening folk exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan, and enhancing the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, so as to make new contributions to the great cause of promoting the reunification of the motherland. Zhou Zuyi, Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, said, "We warmly welcome our Taiwan compatriots to actively participate in building the Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone. Let us move forward together, work hand in hand, and jointly seize development opportunities to share the fruits of integration" Xiamen has earnestly implemented the Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Supporting Fujian in Exploring a New Path for Cross-Strait Integrated Development and Building a Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone. It continues to take the lead in piloting innovations for cross-strait integrated development, promoting integration through connectivity, preferential policies, and emotional bonds, so as to create more development opportunities and broader space for Taiwan compatriots. It is reported that the Straits Forum has been successfully held for 16 sessions, with nearly 800 activities of various types carried out. A total of more than 350,000 person-times of compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait have participated, among whom over 140,000 person-times are Taiwan compatriots. The Straits Forum has effectively played an important role in expanding cross-Strait folk exchanges and deepening cross-Strait integrated development. Hashtag: #ChineseHeadlinesNewMedia The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Chinese Headlines New Media
Malay Mail
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
The 17th Straits Forum Held in Xiamen, China: Promoting Cross-Strait Folk Exchanges and Integrated Development
XIAMEN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 June 2025 - The opening ceremony of the 17th Straits Forum was held in the morning of the 15th in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. As the largest-scaled, widest-ranging and most influential folk exchange event across the Taiwan Strait, guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered together to discuss the beautiful vision of cross-Strait exchanges and session of the Straits Forum focused on the theme of "Expanding Folk Exchanges and Deepening Integrated Development". It set up four major sections, namely grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, cultural exchanges, and economic exchanges, with 56 series of activities arranged. The main venue of the forum was in Xiamen, while related activities were held in relevant prefecture-level cities in Fujian and the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone. More than 7,000 people from all walks of life in Taiwan were invited to Ying-jeou, the former chairperson of the Kuomintang who attends the Straits Forum for the first time, stated in his speech at the meeting that the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is the common aspiration of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The natural bond of Chinese people on both sides, who share the same roots and origin, cannot be severed, and non-governmental exchanges across the Strait are Fujian is steadfastly expanding economic and trade cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, deepening folk exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan, and enhancing the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, so as to make new contributions to the great cause of promoting the reunification of the motherland. Zhou Zuyi, Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, said, "We warmly welcome our Taiwan compatriots to actively participate in building the Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone. Let us move forward together, work hand in hand, and jointly seize development opportunities to share the fruits of integration"Xiamen has earnestly implemented the. It continues to take the lead in piloting innovations for cross-strait integrated development, promoting integration through connectivity, preferential policies, and emotional bonds, so as to create more development opportunities and broader space for Taiwan is reported that the Straits Forum has been successfully held for 16 sessions, with nearly 800 activities of various types carried out. A total of more than 350,000 person-times of compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait have participated, among whom over 140,000 person-times are Taiwan compatriots. The Straits Forum has effectively played an important role in expanding cross-Strait folk exchanges and deepening cross-Strait integrated #ChineseHeadlinesNewMedia The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
South China Morning Post
16-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan's ruling DPP slams former leader Ma Ying-jeou over Straits Forum comments
Beijing has rolled out the red carpet for Ma Ying-jeou , the first former Taiwanese leader to take part in the Straits Forum, the 17th edition of which opened in Fujian province on Sunday. Advertisement But back home, Ma is facing a fierce backlash from pro-independence politicians and critics, who accuse the former Kuomintang chairman of 'dancing with Beijing' to undermine Taiwan's political standing. The annual cross-strait forum is branded by Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as a centrepiece of Beijing's ' united front ' operations, which aim to extend the Communist Party's influence and control beyond mainland China. Ma's comments at the latest event have further intensified those accusations. 03:23 Taiwan leader William Lai says Beijing has no authority over island in Double Tenth speech Taiwan leader William Lai says Beijing has no authority over island in Double Tenth speech Addressing the forum's opening ceremony in the southeastern city of Xiamen, Ma reiterated that only by adhering to the '1992 consensus' and opposing Taiwan independence could both sides of the Taiwan Strait achieve a peaceful and positive outcome. The '1992 consensus', a mutual understanding that there is only 'one China', was reached when the KMT was in power in Taipei. Ma's remarks were echoed by Wang Huning – Beijing's No 4 official and a member of the Communist Party's all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee. Advertisement
NHK
15-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Taiwan ex-President Ma attends forum in China
Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has attended a forum in China to expand cross-strait exchanges. China held the annual Straits Forum in Xiamen, Fujian Province, on Sunday. Xiamen is located west of Taiwan. China's state-run media and other outlets reported that more than 7,000 people were invited from Taiwan, along with Ma, who belongs to Taiwan's largest opposition Kuomintang party. Wang Huning, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee and the party's No.4 official, called for firmly opposing Taiwan's independence and external interference and protecting the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. This comment apparently referred to Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which Beijing regards as pro-independence. Ma said deepening cooperation under a common foundation against Taiwan's independence will help create a phase of peace and mutual benefit. Beijing apparently wants to give a warning to Taiwan's ruling party under President Lai Ching-te by stressing interactions through Ma. Taiwanese authorities said the forum is a united front platform by the Chinese Communist Party targeting Taiwan.
