TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Ma Ying-jeou Foundation CEO Hsiao Hsu-Tsen (蕭旭岑) emphasized on Wednesday (Dec. 11) that civilian organizations cannot address military issues, urging the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) government to communicate with China to reduce military drills. Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) announced earlier in the day his plans to lead a delegation to China from Dec. 18 to 26 amid China's military movements around Taiwan, sparking widespread discussion.
"Ma Ying-jeou's administration saw no military drills," Hsiao said, adding that the government must take responsibility for the Taiwanese people and engage with China to reduce military exercises. Hsiao stressed that civilian and government roles are distinct, and the central government should address military issues. Hsiao further criticized the DPP's handling of cross-strait relations, calling them "incompetent." He noted that the DPP has not only failed to manage these relations but also tried to halt the Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum. Hsiao urged the DPP to adjust its "new two-state theory" to align with the constitution and avoid conflict.
Regarding Wang Jin-pyng's (王金平) cross-strait stance, Hsiao stated that Ma and Wang share the view that both sides should engage in dialogue to prevent war. Peace, he said, is the main theme for cross-strait relations. Recently, the Chinese military conducted large-scale maneuvers without further announcements. The Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) confirmed on Tuesday that the scale was "extremely alarming," with deployments spanning from Taiwan's east to the second island chain. A national security official noted that this is the largest maritime military operation since the 1996 Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, aiming to demonstrate strategic deterrence and readiness.