Ma Ying-jeou's latest speech on cross-Taiwan Strait Relations

The former Taiwan leader urges current leader Lai Ching-te to abandon "two-state theory" & "Taiwan independence". He also says Xi Jinping's attitude was soft and gentle.

Ma Ying-jeou served as the 12th and 13th President of the Republic of China (ROC), or the leader of Taiwan, between 2008 and 2016.

According to the Office of the President, Republic of China, Ma is originally from Hengshan County in Hunan Province on the Chinese mainland, and born in Hong Kong. He received a bachelor's degree from the College of Law, National Taiwan University, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from New York University, and a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) degree from Harvard Law School.

During his tenure, Taiwan signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with the Chinese mainland in 2010. In cross-strait relations, he consistently seeks, under the framework of the ROC Constitution, to maintain the status quo, defined as "no unification, no independence, and no use of force" in the Taiwan Strait, and acts on the basis of the 1992 Consensus—whereby each side acknowledges the existence of "one China" but maintains its own interpretation of what that means—to seek peaceful cross-strait relations. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have signed 23 agreements to date. In February 2014, the ministers in charge of cross-strait affairs from both sides meet for the first time and refer to each other by their official titles. On November 7, 2015, Ma met with the Chinese mainland leader Xi Jinping in Singapore under the principles of "dignity and equality". The meeting marks the first time that the cross-strait leaders have met since Taiwan and the Chinese mainland came under separate rule 66 years ago, and cements a strong foundation for sustainable cross-strait peace.

Ma pursued a policy of viable diplomacy by emphasizing that the ROC should adhere to the principle that the purpose must be legitimate, the process must be lawful, and the implementation must be effective. Taiwan was able to send the former vice president, higher-level representation, to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. After an absence of 38 years, starting in 2009 the ROC returned to the World Health Assembly. In addition, Taiwan in 2013 was invited to attend the 38th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization, marking its return to that organization after a 42-year absence.

In April this year, Ma led a group of Taiwanese students to the mainland and met with Xi in Beijing.

Ma gave the following speech on August 4, 2024 in Bangkok to The Chinese Association in Thailand (Chong Hua).

I am honored to be invited to attend the 27th Yat-sen Lecture today, named after the founding father of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen. This lecture provides me with an opportunity to share my views and suggestions on cross-strait peace and the future of the Republic of China with friends from overseas. This is my second visit to Thailand; my first visit was in 1996, 28 years ago, on a journey to Taipei that brought me through Thailand. After such a long time, I am truly grateful to see so many friends here welcoming me once again. Thank you all very much.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Father of the Nation, has been a political leader I have admired all my life. Whether at home or abroad, whenever I visit a place where Dr. Sun once walked, I will follow his footsteps and walk through his relics. In 2016, during my visit to Malaysia, I visited landmarks such as the former site of the Tongmenghui (Revolutionary Alliance), Sun Yat-sen Museum Penang, and the Chung Shan Association. In 2019, I visited the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall in Singapore. Last March, I paid tribute to Dr. Sun at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, and in July, I visited the his lodgings in London during exile. This April, I made a pilgrimage to Huanghuagang in Guangdong and visited Dr. Sun's former residence. Today, after my speech, I will also visit the Chinese Association in Thailand to pay my respects to the statue of the Father of the Nation. To be honest, I consider myself the greatest admirer of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in the Republic of China today.

The Chinese nation endured a century of humiliation. In 1894, as the Qing Dynasty grew increasingly weak—defeated in the First Sino-Japanese War, subjugated by foreign powers, and forced to sign hundreds of unequal treaties that compromised its sovereignty—Dr. Sun Yat-sen traveled to Honolulu, USA, and founded the Xingzhonghui (Revive China Society). Driven by a vision of revolution, Dr. Sun proposed "expelling the Tartars, restoring China, and establishing a united republican government," calling on patriots at home and abroad to join this great cause. After ten revolutionary uprisings led by courageous revolutionaries, the Qing Dynasty, which had ruled for 268 years, was finally overthrown in 1911. This historic event ended nearly 4,000 years of absolute monarchy and established Asia's first democratic republic—the Republic of China.

Since then, due to the Kuomingtang/Nationalist-Communist Civil War and other historical factors, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been governed separately for 75 years (1949-2024). However, both sides have consistently strived for the preservation and prosperity of the Chinese nation. Over the past 30 years, through the efforts of people on both sides of the strait, the two sides have been steadily moving towards the common goal of national rejuvenation. Although they have developed under different political systems, the people on both sides belong to the same Chinese nation, sharing a common heritage as descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors. They should work together and support each other in the pursuit of national rejuvenation. This belief was also a key point of agreement during my meeting with Mr. Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese mainland, in Singapore in 2015.

During my administration from 2008 to 2016, authorities on two sides of the Taiwan Strait signed 23 bilateral agreements, addressing various aspects of people's lives. This cooperation fostered a peaceful and stable environment in the Taiwan Strait. Concurrently, authorities and ministries on both sides established formal channels for regular communication and coordination with their counterparts across the strait. This collaboration not only benefited people on both sides but also led to significant developments in areas such as economy, trade, culture, education, and science and technology, earning widespread praise from the international community. This period marked a major milestone in the history of cross-strait relations.

My cross-strait policy has two main elements. First, to "resolve disputes through peaceful means," which is the core principle. Second, "institutionalized cross-strait consultations," the concrete approach. The mutual trust between the two sides is built on the "1992 Consensus," reached on November 7, 1992, in Hong Kong, where representatives of Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) agreed that 海峡两岸均坚持‘一个中国’原则，其涵义可以口头声明方式各自表达 "both sides of the Taiwan Strait adhere to the 'One China' principle, with each side verbally expressing the interpretation."

Based on the "1992 Consensus," Taiwan was able to maintain peaceful and friendly relations with the mainland. Both sides could resolve disputes through peaceful means. There was no reason or need for the mainland to attack Taiwan by force, and the United States did not believe there would be a war between the two sides.

However, after I left office in 2016, cross-strait relations began to deteriorate, rapidly moving toward tension and confrontation. During the eight years of the Tsai Ing-wen administration, although the situation did not escalate into intense military conflict, the mainland's large-scale military exercises became more frequent, and the tense atmosphere between the two sides made the risk of accidental conflict ever-present. This heightened risk led The Economist to label Taiwan "the most dangerous place on earth" in 2021. More recently, in March of this year, renowned CNN international commentator Fareed Zakaria remarked that "The world’s most dangerous place has only gotten more dangerous."

Why has the cross-strait situation shifted from the peace and stability of my administration to the current tension? The key issue is that after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power, it refused to acknowledge the cross-strait positioning outlined in the Constitution of the Republic of China and rejected the "1992 Consensus," which serves as the common political foundation between the two sides. Furthermore, the DPP failed to establish a new basis for relations that the mainland could accept, leading to a precarious situation with neither mutual trust nor formal communication channels between the two sides. If the two sides go to war, it would neither serve the interests of the people on both sides nor benefit the long-term development of the Chinese nation. This precarious situation is precisely why the tragic boat collision earlier this year in Kinmen, where two mainland fishermen were killed, took months to reach a barely acceptable resolution, which was absolutely unnecessary. The absence of mutual trust between the two sides is to blame.

On April 10 of this year, during my meeting with Mr. Xi Jinping in Beijing, I expressed that If war were to break out between the two sides, it would impose unbearable heaviness on the Chinese nation. I emphasized that both sides should cherish the values and way of life that the people hold dear, maintain peace across the Strait, and draw on the wisdom of Chinese culture to ensure mutually beneficial development and a win-win situation. Mr. Xi Jinping's attitude was soft and gentle, stating that as long as both sides recognize themselves as part of the Chinese nation, anything can be discussed sitting down. He also said the two sides should continue exchanges, and expressed his hope that the people of Taiwan would visit the mainland more often and that people from the mainland would visit Taiwan as well. I believe this reflects his goodwill and sincerity toward the people in Taiwan, and it also provides operational space for President Lai Ching-te after he assumes office.

Unfortunately, President Lai Ching-te did not embrace this goodwill, nor did he respond positively to the concept of the "Chinese nation." Instead, Lai permitted officials from the Mainland Affairs Council to make the absurd claim that "being descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors is just an ancient myth." Such a crude and ignorant statement, in the callous and dismissive attitude toward our shared Chinese heritage, has caused feelings of disgust, heartbreak, and concern among the descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors, including myself.

In his inaugural speech on May 20, President Lai Ching-te publicly declared that the "Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other," introducing a new "two-state theory" and signaling a "Taiwan independence" apporach. This provoked a strong reaction from the mainland, leading to large-scale military exercises around Taiwan and the further announcement of measures aimed at punishing "Taiwan independence" forces.

I once again urge President Lai Ching-te to abandon the new "two-state theory" and the "Taiwan independence" approach, and to return to managing cross-strait affairs within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of China and the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. He should prioritize cross-strait peace and the safety of the people of Taiwan, reaffirm the "One China Principle enshrined in the Constitution," and work to rebuild mutual trust between the two sides. This is not only the duty of the President of the Republic of China, but also essential for ensuring peace across the strait and regional security. The new "two-state theory" offers no benefit to Taiwan's safety or cross-strait peace; it will only sow the seeds of hatred, insecurity, and turmoil.

The greatest lesson humanity has learned from thousands of years of history is that "War has no winners and peace, no losers." War is not what we desire. As for whether there will be a war between the two sides, I have always believed that it is not impossible but unlikely. The key is that both sides must handle their relationship with care. I believe that for both Taiwan and the mainland, the cost of war would be unbearable, and neither side wishes to see it happen.

It is necessary to be prepared for war, but high military expenditures place a heavy burden on Taiwan, especially when military purchases are reduced to the absurd and contemptuous term of protection fee by U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump. The defense budget can become a financial drain, crippling Taiwan's finances while benefiting the U.S. military-industrial complex. From a long-term perspective, Taiwan should focus on resolving disputes through peaceful means, replacing war with dialogue to create a win-win situation for both sides. The eight years of my administration stand as the best example of this approach.

I appeal to the United States and international friends who care about Taiwan to encourage Taiwan to engage in dialogue between the Chinese mainland, as this is the most beneficial approach for all parties and regional security. However, cross-strait issues must be resolved solely between the two sides, and there is no room for U.S. or other foreign intervention. According to the Constitutions of both Taiwan and the mainland, both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China. Therefore, cross-strait issues should be addressed through dialogue between the two sides. Reliance on external forces is neither feasible nor appropriate, and foreign interference is not acceptable.

The DPP government must recognize that the U.S. will not sacrifice its people for Taiwan. In the event of war across the Taiwan Strait, casualties would be Chinese on both sides. From Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, it is evident that proxy wars only lead to death and destruction in the conflict zone. Taiwan must not become a pawn for others. The future of cross-strait relations should be determined by the people on both sides together, through peaceful and democratic means.

Only cross-strait peace and stability can secure the future of the Chinese nation. For Taiwan, security and progress are contingent upon a stable and peaceful cross-strait relationship. For the Chinese nation, there can be no bright and promising future without peace and shared prosperity across the Straits. If war were to break out between the two sides, it would impose unbearable heaviness on the Chinese nation. I sincerely hope both sides will cherish the values and way of life that the peoples hold dear, maintain peace across the Strait, and draw on the wisdom of Chinese culture to ensure mutually beneficial development.

Furthermore, both sides of the Taiwan Strait should take a further step to jointly promote Chinese culture, including the spirit of Confucian ethics. On a smaller scale, Chinese culture fosters harmony within families and communities; on a larger scale, it can contribute to global peace. The values embedded in Chinese culture—such as the emphasis on ethics, family, filial piety, education, harmonious interpersonal relations, appreciation for frugality, diligence, and environmental protection—have become common features of Chinese society, including Chinese communities in South Korea. For thousands of years, these values have formed the philosophical foundation of the descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors, uniting our hearts and minds. More importantly, these values are far from outdated; they remain particularly relevant and offer valuable insights for addressing many of the challenges facing the world today.

In recent years, the Chinese mainland has achieved the extraordinary feat of lifting 700 million people out of poverty, a rare accomplishment throughout history and around the world, marking an indelible milestone in the history of the Chinese nation. The mainland also recently mediated the signing of the Beijing Declaration by various Palestinian factions, contributing to peace in the Middle East and demonstrating to the world that the Chinese nation is a peace-loving nation. Building on these achievements, the two sides can deepen cross-strait exchanges, narrow the divide, and enhance cooperation, allowing people on both sides to enjoy a better life and jointly strive for the future of the Chinese nation.

Even after leaving public office for many years, I remain committed to deepening cross-strait exchanges. Last year, I led a group of Taiwanese students on their first visit to mainland China, where they toured Wuhan University, Hunan University, and Fudan University. The students from Taiwan and the mainland got along well throughout. In July, students from five mainland universities—Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University—visited Taiwan in return. The students from both sides of the Strait interacted enthusiastically, sharing experiences, challenges, and concerns.

This April, I once again led students on a visit to the mainland, this time to Sun Yat-sen University and Peking University. The experience can only be described as "naturally harmonious and hard to stop." As far as I know, many of these students remain in close contact. The future of cross-strait relations lies in the hands of these young people, and I firmly believe that increased dialogue and interaction are the best ways to dispel misunderstandings and foster cooperation.

People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the Chinese nation and are descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors. As Mr. Xi Jinping said, the Chinese nation is one of the greatest nations in the world, having created a long-standing, brilliant, and unparalleled Chinese civilization, which sons and daughters of the nation feel proud of and honored for. Many of the nation-building ideas that Dr. Sun Yat-sen proposed and held dear have gradually been realized in both Taiwan and the mainland, contributing significantly to the well-being of people on both sides and future generations. Moving forward, both sides should work hand in hand, with the well-being of their people as the ultimate goal. This cooperation represents the most promising future for the Chinese nation.

The video of the speech is available