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Posted: November 14, 2013 | News
Taiwanese Leader Ma Ying-Jeou Meets Committee of 100 Delegation
Taiwanese Leader Ma Ying-jeou (right) greets members of the Committee of 100 Oct. 28 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. (CNA)
- Publication Date：10/29/2013
- Source： Taiwan Today
ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said Oct. 28 that warming Taipei-Beijing ties have improved Taiwan’s international relations, changing what was once a vicious cycle into a virtuous one.
Government efforts in this regard have laid the foundations for Taiwan and mainland China to work together and forge win-win outcomes for the benefit of the people on both sides of the strait, Ma said.
The president’s remarks came while receiving a delegation from the Chinese-American Committee of 100 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
According to Ma, significant progress has been made in cross-strait relations since he took office in May 2008. “There are on average 95 cross-strait flights per day serving 54 destinations on both sides of the strait. Many cross-strait issues remain to be sorted out, but both sides should set aside disagreements, gradually build mutual trust and work toward establishing institutions in Taiwan and mainland China.”
The president said that although the cross-strait situation was peaceful and stable, this did not mean the government would neglect national security, nor discontinue purchasing the necessary arms to maintain robust defense capabilities.
In response to criticism that the government had made too many concessions to mainland China, or that it had sold out Taiwan, Ma said all cross-strait negotiations have been made for the benefit of the nation and in accordance with the ROC Constitution.
“Over the past five years, Taiwan has achieved observer status at the World Health Assembly, signed the World Trade Organization’s Government Procurement Agreement, and attended the International Civil Aviation Organization as a guest.”
In addition, trust between Taiwan, Japan and the U.S. is at its highest level, he said. “The ROC is playing the role of peacemaker in the Asia-Pacific region and Taiwan-U.S. relations are at their best since the severing of official diplomatic ties in 1979.”
Ma also explained the government’s successful resolution of fisheries disputes with Japan and the Philippines, a development in line with the East China Sea peace initiative.
Proposed by the president Aug. 5, 2012, the five-point initiative urges all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions; not abandon dialogue; observe international law; resolve disputes through peaceful means; and form a mechanism for exploring and developing resources on a cooperative basis.
Ma said the Taiwan-Japan fisheries agreement, which took effect May 10, serves as a good example of the spirit of the initiative, protecting the rights of fishermen from both countries.
The president said that following resolution of the Guang Da Xing No. 28 incident, in which an ROC national was killed during an attack on his fishing boat by a Philippine government vessel, the two sides held two successful rounds of fisheries talks.
“Taipei and Manila agree that any future disputes should be resolved without the use of force or violence, and with no-delay mutual reporting of fishery-related incidents,” he added.
“The Taiwanese are peace-loving and will continue settling disagreements by peaceful means,” Ma said. (SDH-JSM)
The Committee of 100 is a group of prominent Chinese Americans with the mission to pool their strengths and experience to address important issues concerning the Chinese American community as well as issues affecting China-U.S. relations.
The Committee of 100 Delegation is headed by Mr. Dominic Ng, Chairman of the East West Bank based in California. Dr. Richard Y. Lee, Committee of 100 Member, Founder and Chairman of Amsino Medical Group attended the meeting.