ECFA with China remains a priority: President Ma

The president made the remarks at a meeting with scholars at the East-West Center think tank while making a transit stay in Hawaii on his way back from a trip to Central America.

Ma return to Taipei late last night after attending a reception at Honolulu hosted by Taiwanese expatriates living in Hawaii.

The meeting with American scholars was one of his first public activities on U.S. soil since he took power last May.

Ma was invited by Raymond F. Burghardt, who is chairman of the Board of the Washington-based American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and concurrently director of the center, to first deliver a speech to the scholars.

The president reiterated his ideas for seeking a diplomatic truce and reconciliation with China.

He also pointed out that the present exchanges between Taiwan and China should focus on economic issues first and then political affairs.

He stressed that Beijing should first relocate its missiles targeted at Taiwan before the two sides start talks on a peace treaty.

When asked about the educational and cultural interchanges between the two sides, Ma said it would be better for the young people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to engage in interchanges as early as possible.

He welcomed youths in China to come study at the higher learning institutions in Taiwan.

Concerning the impact on Taiwan economy from the global economic meltdown, Ma said his administration provided full guarantees for all bank deposits in Taiwan to ensure financial stability two weeks after U.S. investment bank and securities giant Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy.

He told the scholars and researchers that although the unemployment rate in Taiwan remains comparatively high, the situation continues to improve.

Ma's trip to Central America was his second overseas journey this year to visit Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

His just-concluded trip took him to Panama and Nicaragua. He traveled to Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador May 26-June 3, stopping over in Los Angeles and Seattle without engaging in any public activities.

Including an earlier trip, Ma has met with all national leaders of Taiwan's allies in Latin America.

Senior officials said President Ma has proven that his new strategy toward Beijing and diplomatic allies has worked out well.

While defusing the fierce competition with China, the government is able to cement and strengthen the ties with allies without having to resort to "checkbook diplomacy," said the officials.

President Ma has affirmed that the principles of integrity and decent diplomacy have worked perfectly for both Taiwan and allies, they said.

They said Ma's administration has been working closely with Taiwan's allies to map out a cooperation model with efficient implementation of aid programs via absolutely lawful channels.

President Ma's interaction with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega who formally apologized for his absences at a state banquet for Ma and other occasions have successfully safeguarded the nation's dignity, the officials added.

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