Letters | Former Taiwan leader’s mainland China itinerary holds an important message
- Readers discuss Ma Ying-jeou’s trip to the mainland, the thrust of US foreign policy, and China’s left-behind children
The delegation’s agenda includes exploring cultural and historical sites, attending an annual ceremony at the mausoleum of the legendary Yellow Emperor and visiting Sun Yat-sen University and Peking University, as well as facilitating exchanges among young people from both sides of the strait. This is Ma’s second trip to mainland China; he first visited in March last year.
Ma’s itinerary has sparked intense debate in Taiwan. However, amid current tensions across the Taiwan Strait, his trip will undoubtedly have people on both sides of the strait who want peace heaving a sigh of relief. Ma is once again conveying a significant message to Taiwan, showing his capability and role as a facilitator of cross-strait peace and development.
While last year’s ancestral worship by Ma and his family focused on individual ties across the strait, this year’s tomb-sweeping ceremony for the Yellow Emperor represents the link of shared heritage across the Chinese nation.
In addition, his itinerary includes several prestigious businesses, including internet, new energy and aerospace companies, and iconic landmarks such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the National Speed Skating Oval and the “Bird’s Nest” Stadium, which showcase the mainland’s strength and achievement.