TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) stirred the pot on Thursday (Dec. 19) as it acknowledged Former President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) right to freedom of movement and speech while expressing concerns about his visit to China potentially "undermining Taiwan's status and dignity."
MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) made his remarks following Ma's meeting with Song Tao (宋濤), the director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office (國台辦), a day earlier. Currently leading a Taiwanese student delegation in China from Dec. 18 to 26, Ma is participating in activities tied to the Ice and Snow Festival (冰雪節) in Harbin, Northeast China.
In a media address, Ma praised a recent invitation for Chinese students to visit Taiwan as a resounding success, a statement that ignited criticism from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (民進黨). He emphasized that the majority of Taiwanese people warmly welcomed the visiting Chinese students, suggesting a genuine desire for cross-strait engagement.
In response, Liang noted the significant attention garnered by a group of Chinese students in Taiwan, particularly due to the star power of Olympic table tennis gold medalist Ma Long (馬龍). He underscored Taiwan's rich history and prowess in table tennis, pointing out that Ma Long's accomplishments have won him admiration among fans on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
