TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation's head assured on Friday (Dec. 6) that the Chinese delegation's nine-day visit was free of violations, emphasizing that the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) would have intervened if necessary. Chief Executive Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) made these statements amid public discontent and potential penalties following a visiting Chinese student delegation's use of the term "China Taipei."
Hsiao revealed that MAC officials contacted him, but they only advised caution regarding public reactions. He emphasized that according to their agreement, any violations should have halted the visit. "Given no one informed us about any violations, we believe the foundation did not violate anything until yesterday." Hsiao urged the MAC to reconsider potential penalties, warning of a chilling effect on cross-strait exchanges, after its Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) announced on Wednesday plans for disciplinary action.
Highlighting the recent visit of Chinese Olympic gold medalist Ma Long (馬龍), Hsiao noted the enthusiasm it generated in Taiwan, attributing it to the public's desire for increased cross-strait interaction. He called on the council to allow the foundation to explain itself, cautioning against a martial law mindset in handling cross-strait relations.
