TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) criticized President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday (April 29) for failing to improve cross-strait relations. Ma accused Lai of violating the Republic of China's (中華民國) constitutional positioning on cross-strait relations by promoting a "new two-state theory" and "external hostile forces."
Ma made these remarks during a symposium commemorating the 20th anniversary of the historic meeting between former Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) on April 29, 2005. The event, organized by the Straits Economic, Trade and Cultural Exchange Association (海峽兩岸經貿文化交流協會), took place at the National Chengchi University Center for Public and Business Administration Education (政大公企中心).
At the symposium, Ma highlighted the significance of Lien's 2005 visit to mainland China as the first meeting between leaders of the two parties since 1945. He noted that during his presidency, Taiwan and China signed 23 agreements covering various aspects of life, including the creation of the three links (兩岸三通) and allowing mainland students to study in Taiwan.
Ma emphasized that cross-strait relations could develop peacefully based on the "1992 Consensus" without resorting to war. He pointed to the low point in relations during former President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) tenure, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which nearly suspended exchanges and increased hostility. Ma urged President Lai to abandon the "illusion of Taiwan independence" and focus on improving current relations to maintain regional peace and stability.
