TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) led students from the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation's (馬英九基金會) academy to China on Wednesday (Dec. 18). Before departure, he emphasized that although the foundation is a private entity, it remains committed to assisting the government in fostering cross-strait exchanges.
Ma pointed out that reducing misunderstandings between Taiwan and China through annual youth exchanges aligns with the interests and welfare of the Taiwanese people. Ma expressed his sense of duty as a former president, saying, "This is my responsibility as a former president and what I can do for the Taiwanese people and cross-strait peace."
Ma invited a delegation of Chinese teachers and students to Taiwan two weeks ago. He quickly arranged for Taiwanese students to visit China, stating, "I think at this stage, such cross-strait youth exchanges are particularly important."
Ma noted the global prevalence of wars and the heightened tensions in cross-strait relations compared to his presidency. He said the foundation aims to bridge peace across the strait by promoting youth exchanges and conveying the public's desire for interaction.
Ma believes that increased exchanges lead to deeper understanding and fewer future conflicts. He stressed that the foundation will continue to facilitate these exchanges to minimize misunderstandings between the two sides.
The students will attend the "Cross-Strait Youth Ice and Snow Festival" (海峽兩岸青年冰雪節) in Harbin and visit Chengdu, Sichuan. This marks Ma's third visit to China since leaving office. As tensions persist, Ma's efforts highlight the importance of dialogue and understanding in maintaining regional stability.
