TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Chen Binhua on Wednesday (March 27) has not confirmed a meeting between former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but has expressed welcome for Ma's visit and promised to make necessary arrangements.
Ma is set to lead a delegation to mainland China in April. Still, Chen did not respond to media inquiries about whether a second "Ma-Xi meeting" was planned, nor did he reveal whether China's invitation to Ma to visit carried any specific message.
Chen stated that China welcomes visits and exchanges from all political parties, groups, and individuals in Taiwan, based on the political foundation of adhering to the "1992 Consensus" and opposing "Taiwan Independence." He emphasized that such interactions promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and benefit people on both sides.
From April 1 to 11, Ma will lead a group of young students from Ma Ying-jeou Foundation's Da-Jiu Academy to visit cultural and historical sites and businesses in Guangdong, Shaanxi, and Beijing.
Ma's first visit to China occurred from March 27 to April 7, 2023, making him the first former President of the Republic of China to visit China since 1949.
The first "Ma-Xi meeting" was held in Singapore on November 7, 2015, marking the first meeting between the top leaders of the two sides since 1949.
