TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Thursday (Dec. 19) emphasized the importance of deepening cross-strait friendships to reduce the likelihood of conflict. He described this as the core principle behind his initiative to promote youth exchanges between Taiwan and China.
Following an invitation from China, Ma leads a group of Taiwanese students on a visit to China from Dec. 18 to 26. Ma attended the Ice and Snow Festival (冰雪節) in Harbin, where he noted that Taiwanese students rarely experience such snowy environments, making this event both an educational and a unique life experience.
Reflecting on a previous visit in April, when he took students to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), Ma recalled Xi's assertion that "youth are the hope of the nation and the future of the people." Ma reiterated his belief that early exchanges between young people from both sides can foster understanding and reduce the chances of conflict.
He also urged more frequent visits between the youth of Taiwan and China to strengthen these ties. Ma expressed hope that intensive exchanges would deepen the friendship between the peoples of both sides, paving the way for a promising future.
