Update | Taiwan’s former president Ma Ying-jeou to make landmark visit to Hong Kong
Ma to address cross-strait ties at prestigious media awards in first public appearance outside Taiwan since leaving office
Taiwan’s former president Ma Ying-jeou is planning to visit Hong Kong this month, a trip that would make him the most senior ex-leader from the island to come to the city since 1949.
In what will be his first public appearance outside Taiwan since leaving office on May 20, Ma said he was invited as a keynote speaker for this year’s presentation of the Society of Publishers in Asia (Sopa) awards.
“I got the invitation in January and after thinking it over, I decided to attend the event in order to increase international society’s understanding of Taiwan,” Ma said outside his home in Taipei on Wednesday.
I decided to attend the event in order to increase international society’s understanding of Taiwan
Ma’s office said he would speak about cross-strait ties during his time as the island’s leader between 2008 and 2016.
“The former president will share his thoughts about cross-strait ties, the significance of the historic November meeting with his mainland counterpart Xi Jinping, East Asian relations, and the increasing tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea,” a spokeswoman from his office said.
Ma is due to attend the awards ceremony and dinner on June 15.
The spokeswoman said Ma would take a Taipei-based China Airlines late afternoon flight to Hong Kong and return by the last flight that day to avoid “malicious speculation” about his Hong Kong visit.