Mainlanders urge Kuomintang 'return' after Ma Ying-jeou says China is 'part of' ROC

Bloggers and intellectuals on the mainland, many eyeing Taiwan's democracy as a success and yearning for a transition of their own,jumped at the opportunity to express their wish for Ma's return

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Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou (C) gestures during a speech on National Day in front of the presidential office in Taipei on October 10. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:00pm, 19 Oct 2013Updated: 3:41pm, 19 Oct 2013

China’s online community have said they were “touched” and “delighted” by Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou’s comment this week that the mainland is “part of” the Republic of China, citing the Taiwanese constitution.

Bloggers and intellectuals, many eyeing Taiwan’s democracy as a successful model and yearning for a transition of their own, jumped at the opportunity to express their hope for the “return” of the Kuomintang to the mainland.

Ma said, while meeting with US officials in Taipei on Thursday, that the relationship between Taiwan and mainland China is not international but “special”. Ma cited the Republic of China’s constitution, which defines the ROC as “one sovereign country of which China is a part”.

His comments were picked up by newspapers and websites in the mainland, including the liberal Southern Metropolis Daily, and triggered enthusiastic discussion.

“Please reclaim the mainland as soon as possible,” many wrote, urging a reunification that would allow the Kuomintang to take control.

“Do come back to rule – for all my life I haven’t seen a single election vote,” wrote another.