Minister-level official meets former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou... "Oppose Taiwan independence"

A minister-level Chinese official met with former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, who visited China, and expressed strong opposition to Taiwan's independence and foreign interference.

According to China's state-run news agency Xinhua, Song Tao, Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, met with Ma and his delegation in Wuhan on the 30th.

Ma Ying-jeou (left), former President of Taiwan, meeting with Song Tao, Director in Wuhan

At the meeting, Director Song stated, "Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. We must uphold the 1992 Consensus (an agreement recognizing 'One China' while allowing each side to use its own interpretation) and actively promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations."

However, he emphasized, "We resolutely oppose separatist activities for 'Taiwan independence' and interference by external forces. We must unite and strive together to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, protect the interests of the entire Chinese nation, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

In response, former President Ma said, "Based on the existing political foundation of the 1992 Consensus, we should promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, foster lasting peace and prosperity on both sides, improve the welfare of Chinese people on both sides, and jointly pursue the 'Chinese revitalization'." Unlike the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Ma is from the Kuomintang, which pursues a moderate China policy. During his presidency, he held a historic cross-Strait summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2015. Ma's remarks about 'avoiding war' did not appear in Chinese media reports.

At the meeting, Director Song also conveyed greetings from President Xi to former President Ma and acknowledged Ma's significant contributions to the development of cross-Strait relations.

Director Song is the highest-ranking Chinese official responsible for Taiwan affairs at the ministerial level. He is the highest-ranking current Chinese official to have met with former President Ma, who visited China on the 27th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.