China: rare visit by a former Taiwanese president in a delicate context

Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou begins a 27-day personal visit to Chinese territory on Monday (March 12th) in a context dominated by security issues and the unsubstantiated hypothesis of a possible invasion of Taiwan. VIA REUTERS - HANDOUT

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This is a first since 1949. Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou begins a twelve-day personal visit to Chinese territory on Monday, March 27, in a context dominated by security issues and the unsubstantiated hypothesis of a possible invasion of Taiwan.

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On paper, it's a private tour. Ma Ying-jeou travels to China on the occasion of the Day of the Dead. He is to visit the tomb of his ancestors in Hunan Province to pay his respects. But we are talking about a man who presided over Taiwan between 2008 and 2016, and he knows it, his every word and his movements will be scrutinized very closely.

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I am very happy to go to China because, apart from the ceremonies of tribute to my ancestors, I am leaving with a delegation of Taiwanese students to promote exchanges between our territories. I hope to help improve the atmosphere in the Taiwan Strait to ensure lasting peace in the region," said the former president, a member of the Kuomintang, an opposition party that advocates closer ties with China.

Presidential election in 2024

In reality, Ma Ying-jeou does nothing randomly. By going to Chinese shores, he breaks a taboo and wants to influence the presidential election scheduled in Taiwan in January 2024, showing at all costs that appeasement with China is possible. He also chooses his moment, because this trip is telescoped with the visit of Tsai Ing-wen to the United States. The current Taiwanese president, very hostile to rapprochement with Beijing, has been cultivating her ties with Washington for years. She is scheduled to fly Wednesday for a tour of the American continent.

► Read also: Taiwan: simulations show the extent of the disaster in case of Chinese invasion

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  • Taiwan
  • China