No growth without peace: Ma

Ma said that to improve Taiwan's relationship with mainland China is to strive for a peaceful environment and a stable foundation on which the next generation of Taiwanese could prosper.

He pointed out that the strongest wave of economic growth in 20 years has begun in Taiwan, and as the unemployment rate declines and salary levels rise, Taiwan has to open up to the mainland, where more opportunities lie. The mainland has transformed from the world's factory to its second largest economy, and locking Taiwan away from mainland China would not be beneficial to the country.

The current economic strategy his administration is taking, Ma said, is to expand the nation's export markets. Every nation has grown dependent on mainland China, taking it as their primary trade partner; yet because we have the economic cooperation framework agreement, “Taiwan is collaborating with mainland China, not depending on it,” Ma said.

Defending Sovereignty

Although the nature of the economic collaboration has changed throughout the years, the political aspect of the cross-strait relationship has not, Ma said. While seeking a peaceful relationship with the mainland, the Taiwanese government has never conceded its sovereignty and security.

When film representatives from the mainland publicly humiliated the Taiwan film industry attendees by demanding that they present themselves as “Chinese Taipei” instead of “Taiwan” at the commencement of the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival in 2010, Ma's administration did not hesitate to express its disapproval. Also, when a recently leaked World Health Organization (WHO) document listed Taiwan as a province of China, the Taiwanese government solemnly protested to the WHO.

Over the past three years, the Taiwanese government has signed 15 agreements, none of which have put Taiwan at a disadvantage with the Chinese mainland, Ma said, but instead have gained more maneuvering room for the country and its people in the international community. Three international activities had been held in Taiwan over the past three years, and Taiwan has received visa-free privileges from 114 nations and regions.

When it comes to sovereignty, Ma said in Taiwanese, “We are not afraid of anything!”

Foundation for

the Next Generation

Ma said that he had been on the road meeting with people, especially youths and those who will become eligible to vote this year.

He said he was moved by the high school students who actively took part in vetoing the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project, and was glad to have received letters from elementary school students asking him to save the white dolphins. It was their passion that had urged the government to actively seek alternative plans, “so as to support the environment,” Ma said.

Build Tainan With NT$700 Billion

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