By Shih Hsiao-kuang, Chen Yu-fu and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writer
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation CEO Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) on Friday headed a 30-person delegation to China’s Shandong Province, stating that only through exchanges can cross-strait relations be maintained and confrontation avoided.
The 17 measures recently announced by President William Lai (賴清德) were an administrative move that restricted rights and freedoms, and use anti-China ideology to malign the Republic of China (ROC) Constitution, he said, adding that such acts serve only to bring both sides closer to the brink of war.
Hsiao was referring to measures Lai issued following a national security meeting on March 13, which stated that “China is a hostile foreign force” and announced plans to reinstate courts martial, which had previously been abolished in 2013.
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation CEO Hsiao Hsu-tsen speaks to reporters in Taipei on Dec. 5 last year.
Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times
Cross-strait exchange is key, especially when relations across the Taiwan Strait are as fraught as they are, Hsiao said, adding that someone has to step up to ensure that exchanges are held and to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings, and that the foundation would not stop attempting to build rapport and dialogue.
The visit of members of the Da Jiu Academy (大九學堂) — a foundation-related program to foster talent — would be the first group to visit China following Lai’s policy announcement and would serve to set the tone for future visits, Hsiao said, adding that he would endeavor to live up to former president Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) ideals to further promote cross-strait youth interactions.
Hsiao said that as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the ROC’s victory over Japan in the Sino-Japanese War, the delegation would visit the site of the Battle of Taierzhuang to pay respects to the soldiers who gave their lives for their country and to reflect on the value of peace.
The Battle of Taierzhuang took place in 1938 near the eponymous village, marking the first victory of the Nationalist forces against Imperial Japan since it invaded China in 1937.
In related news, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) spokesman Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said earlier this week that investigations against Ma and his foundation into inappropriate remarks made by Chinese students belittling Taiwanese sovereignty during their visit last year would soon be announced.
The foundation invited a delegation of Chinese students and academics to visit Taiwan in November last year, during which Fudan University student Song Siyao (宋思瑤) was accused of downgrading Taiwan’s status by calling it “Chinese Taipei” when congratulating the national team’s victory in the World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 championship.
MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said in December last year that the foundation had not upheld its promises as stated during the application process, and the foundation would be banned from inviting Chinese groups to Taiwan for between six months and five years.
