April 10, 2024 (EIRNS)—Chinese media have reported on the trip of former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou and his entourage to mainland China. The KMT leader met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Xi stressed that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits must “pursue a peaceful and unified future … with the core being a shared recognition of the basic fact that both sides belong to one country, one nation.” Both leaders referred to Sun Yat-sen, considered the “father of the nation” in Taiwan and the “forerunner of the revolution” in the mainland.
Xi promised easier touristic exchanges. “We warmly invite our Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland more often, and are happy to see mainland people visit the motherland’s Treasure Island [Taiwan] to see for themselves.” This is welcome news, as the mainland ended individual tourism to Taiwan in 2019, and has yet to allow it again. In contrast, Taiwanese residents are presently able to visit the mainland as individual tourists.
The Xi-Ma meeting comes as President Biden is hosting Japanese Prime Minister Kishida in Washington, and shortly before the inauguration of Lai Ching-te in Taipei. The trip by the former Taiwan leader has played a positive role in reassuring both sides of the Taiwan Strait that enduring peace is possible.
