Ma Ying-jeou, the former President of Taiwan, embarked on a 12-day private visit to China on Monday, just a day after Taiwan lost one of its 14 diplomatic allies to China. Ma is leading a delegation of academics, college students, and family members for exchanges, although the trip has significant political implications. During his tenure, Ma's policies brought Taiwan and Beijing closer than ever before, but his presidency was marred by protests against a trade deal with the mainland. Since his departure, his successor has focused on strengthening ties with the U.S. and defending Taiwan's democratic autonomy, which China claims as part of its own territory. Meanwhile, current President Tsai Ing-wen is scheduled to embark on a 10-day diplomatic tour of Latin America, including a stop in the U.S., Taiwan's most significant unofficial partner and arms supplier.
Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's visit to China takes place amidst increasing tensions between Taiwan and China. China has been pressuring Taiwan for a long time, taking away its diplomatic allies and frequently sending fighter jets towards the island. Honduras recently established diplomatic ties with China, leaving Taiwan with only 13 countries recognizing it as a sovereign state.
Ma, a member of the opposition Nationalist Party, will land in Shanghai and begin his visit in Nanjing. He will tour mainland China from March 27 to April 7, visiting Wuhan and Changsha, among other cities. During his visit, Ma will be accompanied by college students from Taiwan who will meet with their counterparts from Shanghai's Fudan University and Changsha's Hunan University.
Ma has stated that his visit aims to ease tensions between Taiwan and China through people-to-people exchanges. "I hope through the enthusiasm of the youth and their interactions to improve the cross-strait mood, so bring peace faster, and earlier," he said before his departure. This marks Ma's first visit to China.