President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday vowed to forge ahead with his cross-strait policies despite the reservations of many in Taiwan and the US.
Speaking with faculty and students from his alma mater, Harvard University, yesterday morning via videoconference, Ma said that he realized his approval rating was low and said he took the matter seriously.
Ma said three reasons were contributing to his sinking popularity: The global economic downturn; reform initiatives his administration is pushing; and the change in his leadership style.
“In the future, I certainly will be a strong leader, trying to effect the reforms that are for the good of the Taiwan society,” he said in English. “I believe if I work harder, I think people will understand the efforts are worth their support.”
Ma said it was important to push reforms, “regardless of the opinion polls or even the chances of a second term.”
If he managed to improve the economy, implement reform and demonstrate strong leadership, his popularity would bounce back, he said.
He also pledged to deliver on his promise of combating corruption, both in government and elections, which he said had already borne fruit.
“Without a doubt, this goal will continue to be a cornerstone of my presidency, which I am determined to carry through in my capacity as president of this country.”
During the 90-minute event, Ma gave a talk entitled “The Quest for Modernity” and took questions from panelists and members of the audience.
Ma said he understood China’s political ambition to annex Taiwan, but what he was trying to do was to abide by the so-called “1992 consensus.”
“We have always kept in mind their eventual goal for Taiwan, but on the other hand, this is something we have to face whether we like it or not,” he said.
As Taiwan engages China in cultural and economic exchanges, Ma said, Taiwan reduces the chance of military conflict across the Taiwan Strait.
“The time for unification at this stage is not ripe yet,” he said.
As the majority of Taiwanese preferred to maintain the “status quo,” Ma said his cross-strait policy was “no unification, no independence and no use of force.”
Ma also demanded that China remove or dismantle the missiles targeting Taiwan, or his administration would have no interest in taking further steps toward negotiating a peace agreement.
Despite cross-strait detente, Ma said his administration has never decreased investment in the military so as to make it a viable deterrent.
“I have always considered mainland China both a risk and opportunity,” he said. “My policy is to maximize the opportunity but to minimize the risk. This is exactly what I have been doing.”
Ma said he understood the opposition party had different views on cross-strait relations, but he welcomed debate on the issue.
On the economic cooperation framework agreement his administration seeks to sign with Beijing, Ma said Taiwan would be marginalized if the trade pact were not signed.
‘IMMINENT THREAT’
“This is an imminent threat we have to face,” he said. “Unless they have a better way, otherwise we should proceed so that Taiwan will not be further cut off from the rest of the world.”
That was why he “took the initiative” to engage the opposition, he said, adding that it was unprecedented in the history of Taiwan to see the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties debate public policy.
By doing this, Ma said he hoped the two parties would show to the world that they could work together and discuss issues in a rational manner despite their differences.
While some were concerned the trade deal would compromise Taiwan’s sovereignty, Ma said “this is definitely not the case,” emphasizing that the top priority of his administration is to put Taiwan first for the benefit of the people.
The proposed accord would “without a doubt” enhance Taiwan’s competitiveness and “brighten the outlook” for negotiating similar trade arrangements with other countries, he said.
On the abolition of capital punishment, Ma said as the public is still polarized on this issue, “Before we change the law, we have to enforce the law,” he said.
“So the policy now is to gradually reduce the use of the death penalty,” he said. “I think it is realistic to have a policy to gradually reduce the use of the death penalty and then start a national discussion or debate in a very rational way just to find out whether we still need the death penalty to deal with heinous crimes.”
As the administration has begun preparations for the yearlong celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China (ROC), Ma compared the last 100 years to a “comma,” but said it was nothing short of an “exclamation mark.”
‘CHINESE CULTURE’
He also urged the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to “think under the Chinese culture” what the final solution of the cross-strait problem would be.
However, he made a slip-up by saying that the ROC was founded in 1912.
On the role of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), where he doubles as chairman, Ma said the party would not play the role it once did.
“It will no longer dominate the government, but rather serve as some kind of a subsidiary but important help for the government,” he said. “After all, political parties are only civic groups according to our law.”
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