New Taiwan president takes office

[rodin_hsu]

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- A proponent of improved ties with China took office as Taiwan's president Tuesday, calling on the larger rival to open a new page in their long-strained relationship while rejecting any move to seek unification with the mainland.

The inauguration of Ma Ying-jeou, 57, represents a clear break from the eight-year presidency of Chen Shui-bian, whose confrontational pro-independence policies often led to friction with Beijing -- and with the United States, Taiwan's most important foreign partner.


Addressing political leaders and representatives from Taiwan's dwindling cadre of diplomatic allies, he exhorted Beijing to seize the chance created by his election victory in March to build a better future for people on both sides of the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait.


"(I) hope that the two sides can use this rare historical opportunity," he said. "Let's open a new page of peace and prosperity."


Ma's comments in his inaugural address were consistent with his long-standing policies of seeking greater economic engagement with Beijing, without renouncing Taiwan's de facto sovereignty.


But he made it clear that while he renounces the platform of formal independence espoused by Chen, he is also opposed to unification with the mainland, from which Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949.


"We will adopt the principle of no independence, no unification, and no use of force," he said.

Fifty-nine years after their split, China still claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and has repeatedly threatened to attack if the island makes its de facto independence permanent.


Ma's election victory was fashioned on his pledges to tie Taiwan's powerful but laggard high-tech economy closely to China's white hot economic boom.


In recent weeks however, he has made it clear that he has no intention of giving up on Taiwan's sovereignty -- the core goal of China's policy toward the island for nearly six decades.


In an interview last week with The Associated Press, he said it was highly unlikely that unification talks would be held "within our lifetimes."


In a break with his party's old guard, the Ma has vowed not to negotiate with Beijing about unification during his term of office, which can stretch to 2016, assuming he is re-elected to a second four-year term.


And in late April he named a strong supporter of Taiwanese sovereignty to oversee relations with China, in a move that elicited silence from the mainland and anger from China-friendly hard-liners in his own Nationalist Party.


Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/19/taiwan.president.ap/index.html

[rodin_hsu]

President Ma got his Master of Laws degree from New York University Law School and his Doctor of Laws degree from Harvard Law School. His wife is also a Harvard alumni. Both of his daughters are now studying in the United States. He is a kind of 'Made in U.S.A.' product.

His profile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Ying-jeou

[The Kop]

Long Live Republic of China

[Ordie]

Seems like a pragmatic guy.

[rodin_hsu]

Long Live Republic of China

Thanks mate.

Hopefully, our existence can make CCP release the grip on your politic more quickly. Accelerating the democratization process in Hong Kong is also our goal. Can't wait to see you guys to general elect your Chief Executive in the near future. woot

[rodin_hsu]

Seems like a pragmatic guy.

True. That is exactly the reason he got elected. :grin:

[...WARLORD...]

I see the "Republic" of China more as a name than as a true statement. :roll:

[rodin_hsu]

I see the "Republic" of China more as a name than as a true statement. :roll:

It is a true statement. It may not be a member of U.N. but it does not violate the definition of republic. :roll:

[Ratamacue]

It is a true statement. It may not be a member of U.N. but it does not violate the definition of republic. :roll:I think he's confusing the Republic of China with the People's Republic of China.

[little icebear]

I see the "Republic" of China more as a name than as a true statement. :roll:

I think you mix up Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People´s Republic of China, do you? ;)

[rodin_hsu]

Inauguration
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1104/02hf5.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/8061/06bo5.jpg

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9486/03zv2.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4296/04ue7.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1885/05yu4.jpg


Mr. Ma and his wife were raising fund for China earthquake catastrophe relief
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1292/08vo9.jpg


Inauguration celebration
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3643/07hj2.jpg
http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=02hf5.jpg

[xjym2002]

Hope Republic of China never forget mainland was part of it.

[damagejackal]

Thanks mate.

Hopefully, our existence can make CCP release the grip on your politic more quickly. Accelerating the democratization process in Hong Kong is also our goal. Can't wait to see you guys to general elect your Chief Executive in the near future. woot

Do Western nations really give a crap about Taiwan or your democracy??
It seem to me, the main interest is in "containing" China and preventing it from challenging US hegemony...

[Ordie]

Do Western nations really give a crap about Taiwan or your democracy??
It seem to me, the main interest is in "containing" China and preventing it from challenging US hegemony...

The political evolution in Taiwan serves as a possible example on what may happen in the PRC in the future.

40 years ago both the ROC and the PRC were authoritarian "Soviet style single party states".

Political evolution of the ROC was the result of the growing demands of the local middle classes for transparency and direct representation. The status quo within the KMT was struggling with legitimacy with its single party rule, and the notion of a minority (Mainlander) led government over the Taiwanese consitituency.

Moreover, many within the business (Taiwanese) and political (Mainlanders) elites were educated, worked and exposed politically in the United States. Thus many were not threatened by the transition into a more democratic system of government.

The ROC has an advantage over the PRC in terms of political devlopment, rule of law, policymaking and legitimacy. By opening up Taiwan to PRC tourists, its an opportunity for the ROC to show the Mainland Chinese an alternative future.

By no means Taiwan politics is perfect. Fistfights in Taiwan's legislature is a blood sport on the evening news, but it takes time for civil society to form.

Containing China is a bad policy.

[GlassHarp]

Do Western nations really give a crap about Taiwan or your democracy??
It seem to me, the main interest is in "containing" China and preventing it from challenging US hegemony...

Typical Ron Paul supporter.

The main interest is in ensuring that China develops into a country that respects basic human rights and will not be overly aggressive or expansionist. It would be absolutely fantastic if Taiwan could help move the mainland along that path. As I often tell my Chinese friends, China needs Taiwan (meaning on the political level), Taiwan does not necessarily need China.

[rodin_hsu]

Do Western nations really give a crap about Taiwan or your democracy??
It seem to me, the main interest is in "containing" China and preventing it from challenging US hegemony...

Containing China is certainly an option to Western nations but not necessarily turns out in that way. US had been used Japan containing Soviet, and western Europe containing Warsaw Pact too. That is not necessary to be a bad thing. It still depends on the situation.

Of course, we know what is our interest, what is US's interest, what is PRC's interest, and what we share. We have played the game for decades. We are not naive enough to take US as our guardian angel (to some extend they are). Nixon betrayed us for normalizing the relationship with communist China (PRC) in 1970's while breaking diplomatic relation with us (ROC). However, PRC's records have been even worse.

So, instead of leaning to either side of the world powers, our politicians must learn to play a subtle balance between them. Fortunately, our increasingly mature democracy is starting to protect the interest of populace though not perfectly; it prevents our politicians from selling our interest to foreign countries (no matter US or China). For example, our legislators have been blockaded an U.S. arms sale in the past few years. It surely irritated some arms dealers and American parliament members. They started to question our will to defend ourselves. But that is just some small frictions. Overall, the alliance between U.S. and Taiwan (ROC) is still strong and healthy.

[xjym2002]

The political evolution in Taiwan serves as a possible example on what may happen in the PRC in the future.
... ...
The ROC has an advantage over the PRC in terms of political devlopment, rule of law, policymaking and legitimacy. By opening up Taiwan to PRC tourists, its an opportunity for the ROC to show the Mainland Chinese an alternative future.
...

Couldn't agree more. In fact mainland people already learned a lot, both good and bad, from news media, entertainment TV programs from Taiwan and a large amount of Taiwanese who lives here.

[Ordie]

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1885/05yu4.jpg

His wife looks like a "Dragon Lady".
I wouldn't want to be on her bad side.
Just her facial expression makes me cringe, I feel sorry for him already.

[J-10]

His wife and two daughters
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7827/99ca57d8038f202432fa1cenm3.jpg

In N.Y., 20 years ago
http://cimg2.163.com/catchpic/4/49/49858856E31888160E9A426BDA8FE2FB.jpg

http://cimg2.163.com/catchpic/0/0A/0A88688EC87D15954D65D90BBA6671CA.jpg

http://www.chinataiwan.org/twrwk/zxdt/200712/W020071217402984465085.jpg

[Zerazax]

I think the comparison between where Taiwan was and where the PRC is isn't too far off. Taiwan 30 years ago had a more-or-less one-party autocratic rule of the military elite, was just developing a free-market capitalist society/power, and was sending people abroad for education and living (and still are). Simply being accused as a communist could land you in deep crap.

Where I found the most profound comparison though was in mannerisms. Twenty years ago in Taiwan, I remember cab drivers spitting out windows, terrible driving manners (the laws were more like suggestions it seemed), dirty streets, etc. Flash forward today and they've developed a liking for democracy, improved manners, behavior, etc.

If China can develop that much in twenty years, and in some of the more western-influenced cities they aren't too far off (Shenzhen, Shanghai, etc.), it would truly be a marvelous development.

Anyways, with President Ma in Taiwan now, the tone between the two sides has definitely cooled a lot in the past few months it seems. Hopefully direct flights will be allowed soon? Right before the Olympics would be a big PR move for both sides if nothing else.

[damagejackal]

Containing China is certainly an option to Western nations but not necessarily turns out in that way. US had been used Japan containing Soviet, and western Europe containing Warsaw Pact too. That is not necessary to be a bad thing. It still depends on the situation.

Of course, we know what is our interest, what is US's interest, what is PRC's interest, and what we share. We have played the game for decades. We are not naive enough to take US as our guardian angel (to some extend they are). Nixon betrayed us for normalizing the relationship with communist China (PRC) in 1970's while breaking diplomatic relation with us (ROC). However, PRC's records have been even worse.

So, instead of leaning to either side of the world powers, our politicians must learn to play a subtle balance between them. Fortunately, our increasingly mature democracy is starting to protect the interest of populace though not perfectly; it prevents our politicians from selling our interest to foreign countries (no matter US or China). For example, our legislators have been blockaded an U.S. arms sale in the past few years. It surely irritated some arms dealers and American parliament members. They started to question our will to defend ourselves. But that is just some small frictions. Overall, the alliance between U.S. and Taiwan (ROC) is still strong and healthy.

Although its great to see Taiwan become a modern economy with rapidly improved living standards for its people, when it comes to a formal declaration of independence or steps in that direction... I do not think it is good for the people of Taiwan, good for the people on the Mainland or good for anyone else in this region, for that step to be taken when a high risk of the consequence of it would be war...

The one China policy isn’t just a mantra,
Its inextricably anchored in formal treaties and obligations by many many govt's around the world. If you went down the independence road, there would not be any automatic expectation that the rest of the world is going to rise up in applause spontaneously and recognise “The new Republic of Taiwan”.

Nobody is our neighbourhood wants there to be war, I mean this region has been freed by and large from large scale war for a quarter of a century or more. No one wants to contemplate that possibility again.

[J-10]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/JE23Ad01.html

May 23, 2008
One hand across the strait
By Ralph A Cossa

TAIPEI - "Be careful what you wish for." This Chinese proverb came repeatedly to mind when listening this week to incoming Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's forward-leaning inauguration address that sent so many olive branches toward Beijing that even some of his ardent supporters feared he had "gone too far" and protesters almost immediately took to the street in Taipei warning against "selling out" to China.

The big question now is can Beijing, after hearing "no" for the past eight years, now take "yes" for an answer. Ma called on Beijing to join him to "launch a new era of cross-strait relations", based on

his previously articulated "three no's" policy: no unification, no independence and no use of force. He talked about "one China, respective interpretations" and the "1992 consensus" (under which both sides agreed to disagree over how to define "one China") and made several references to "our mutual Chinese heritage".

He also committed to maintaining the status quo across the strait, noting at one point that "in a young democracy, respecting the constitution is more important than amending it" - his predecessor's attempts to amend the constitution was a main source of tension between Taipei and Beijing.

In a truly unprecedented gesture, Ma also made specific positive reference to Chinese President Hu Jintao's remarks on cross-strait relations - "building mutual trust, shelving controversies, finding commonalities despite differences and creating together a win-win solution" - stating that "his views are very much in line with our own".

Ma laid out the normalization of economic and cultural relations with the mainland as immediate goals, but warned that "Taiwan doesn't just want security and prosperity; it wants dignity". Herein lies the rub!

It should be relatively easy for Beijing to respond positively to Ma's calls for direct weekend charter flights and visits to Taiwan by mainland tourists and other economic and cultural exchanges. Some security gestures, such as a visible drawback of missiles opposite Taiwan, is also doable without dramatically changing the security calculus. But, is Beijing prepared to make significant gestures aimed at truly improving Taiwan's sense of security and relieving its international isolation?

A failure by Beijing to respond positively to Ma's olive branches will seriously undercut the new Taiwanese leader as he tries to build consensus at home in support of his forward-leaning cross-strait policies. His address is already being labeled by the opposition as "naive" and "wishful thinking". Will Beijing prove this to be the case?

For its part, the Chinese leadership is preoccupied with other things right now - earthquake relief, Summer Olympic Games preparations, unrest in Tibet and elsewhere - even while breathing a sigh of relief that its main nemesis, now-departed president Chen Shui-bian, is finally gone. Beijing appeared almost paranoid about Chen springing an 11th-hour surprise; a fear exacerbated by its lack of understanding about how democratic transitions work. This one worked flawlessly, as Chen himself had promised.

Beijing immediately opted to pass on its first chance to make a positive political gesture by once again blocking Taiwan's bid for observer status in the World Health Organization (WHO). Chen's decision to apply as "Taiwan" rather than "Chinese Taipei" regrettably made it easier for Beijing to once again block this request, but it could have asked the WHO to postpone consideration of Taiwan's bid for a few days to allow for a reformulation of the application, rather than quickly excluding it from the agenda. As a result, Beijing needs to quickly find some other venues to provide the dignity that Ma seeks and Taiwan richly deserves.

It appears that Beijing is still struggling to figure out how to deal with a potentially friendly government in Taipei after years of just saying no to everything and branding every positive gesture by the Chen administration a "splittist trick".

The real concern, as some Chinese candidly expressed to me during a recent visit to Beijing, is finding ways to improve Taiwan's "international breathing space" without further enhancing its status as a sovereign independent entity (or dare we say "country"). Fear that gestures once made would be exploited were Chen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to return to power were also cited as a reason for moving slowly, even though moving too slowly (or not at all) will increase the prospects of a DPP return.

Other distractions notwithstanding, it is important for Beijing not to wait too long before making some significant gestures in response to Ma's controversial overtures. For starters, it can observe Ma's call for a "truce" in the international arena. In recent years, Beijing has taken great delight in humiliating the Chen administration by spiriting away Taiwan's few remaining allies, normally through a shameless bidding war that has learned little dignity to either side. This must stop. If no one recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name), why shouldn't it just declare itself the Republic of Taiwan now and end the "one China" charade?

A more dramatic military gesture is also needed. Merely withdrawing some easily redeployed mobile missiles is not enough. Beijing needs to deactivate and plow over some of the 1,000-plus missile sites it has poised opposite Taiwan as a true goodwill gesture.

The semi-official cross-strait dialogue between Beijing's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) and Taipei's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) also needs to resume, if for no other reason than to facilitate the institution of the economic "three links" that both sides profess to support. Dialogue should also begin, either through ARATS-SEF or through a quasi-official "track two" gathering, on cross-strait confidence-building and conflict-avoidance measures. Beijing also needs to loosen restrictions it has imposed on Taiwan in the WHO as a first step toward allowing Chinese Taipei to gain observer status as a "health entity" next year.

Beijing also needs to stop its heavy-handed pressure aimed at blocking participation by Taiwan scholars at academic gatherings like the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Institute of International and Strategic Studies roundtable and should take steps to help elevate Taiwan's status in the non-governmental Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and other track-two organizations, while also supporting higher-level Taiwan participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting and other forums.

Ma Ying-jeou took a big political risk in reaching out so dramatically to Beijing in his inaugural address. Beijing needs to respond. Washington also needs to respond positively to Ma's gestures, while strongly encouraging Beijing to make significant positive gestures sooner, rather than later, to seize the opportunity presented by the change of government and attitude in Taipei.

[rodin_hsu]

His wife looks like a "Dragon Lady".
I wouldn't want to be on her bad side.
Just her facial expression makes me cringe, I feel sorry for him already.

Well, ... what can I say ... he is not Clinton?
Or maybe we should say good for her. ;)

The President's wife recently suffers huge pressure. Everybody is scrutinizing her. She just quited from her job in a financial bank in order to avoid some possible interest connection.

[sinophile]

Containing China is a bad policy.

The West can no more contain China, then China can contain itself. The concept always makes me think of this image. China as a world power is here to stay. Get used to it.

http://www.cosarhmt.com/cms/upload/Artists/Martin_Klimas/150x200-07_big.jpg

[xjym2002]

The West can no more contain China, then China can contain itself. The concept always makes me think of this image. China as a world power is here to stay. Get used to it.


Being a world power is by no means comfortable. PRC has to get used to it also.

[Zerazax]

Either way, I think the ball is now in PRC's court because Ma isn't going to threaten independence or the status quo, which was the big issue with Chen. In fact, his tone towards the PRC is the friendliest of all the Taiwan presidents so its up to China now to ease tensions from their end.