Former Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou on historic mainland China trip hopes ‘peace can come to Taiwan soon’
- Flowers but no red carpet as Ma Ying-jeou lands in Shanghai along with university students and former aides to begin 12-day private visit
- Trip to mainland is the first ever by a former or sitting Taiwanese leader
Former Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou voiced hopes for a gradual return to warmer cross-strait ties as he embarked upon a landmark visit to mainland China, amid public anger back home over Taipei’s loss of yet another diplomatic ally to Beijing.
“I have waited for 36 years for this chance to visit the mainland,” Ma said before boarding his plane at Taoyuan International Airport, becoming the first former or current Taiwanese head of government to make such a journey since the Chinese civil war ended more than seven decades ago.
He had long been involved in cross-strait affairs, dating back to when he was 37 years of age, said Ma, who twice served as chairman of Taiwan’s Beijing-friendly opposition party – the Kuomintang.
Now 73 and retired, he was finally going to be able to set foot on the mainland, Ma said.
His flight on mainland flag carrier Air China landed in Shanghai at 4.21pm on Monday.