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Ma promises to maintain strong national defense

Faced with a sliding approval rating and rising public concern over his China-friendly policy, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday vowed to maintain a strong army to protect Taiwanese interests and dignity while seeking to improve relations with Beijing.

Speaking in Mandarin and Hoklo (or Taiwanese) at the Double Ten national day ceremony outside the Presidential Office yesterday morning, Ma said the public looks forward to improved cross-strait relations under the framework of the Republic of China (ROC) Constitution and the “three noes” policy — meaning no discussion of unification during his presidency, no pursuit of de jure Taiwanese independence and no use of military force.

Ma said that his administration does not harbor any wishful thinking toward Beijing, however.

“When we engage with China, we will make sure that Taiwan comes first and the interests of the people are served,” he said. “We will not yield the rights of Taiwan and we will insist on maintaining the dignity of the Taiwanese people.”

Ma said the global economic crisis and China’s exports of tainted milk powder reflected the risks of engaging with the world beyond Taiwan, but the nation must not shy away from such engagement because of occasional bad experiences.

“We must turn every crisis into an opportunity,” he said.

As Taipei and Beijing remain divided over the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty, Ma said he hoped that the two sides could set aside their differences and use their collective wisdom to promote political reconciliation not only in the Taiwan Strait but also in the international community.

“Both sides should no longer engage in confrontation in the international arena to create a win-win-win situation for Taiwan, the mainland and the international community,” he said.

On national defense, Ma said his government would maintain a strong defense capability while pushing cross-strait peace.

“Let’s protect national sovereignty and our beautiful homeland,” he said.

Saying the country was at a historic crossroads, Ma said that as head of state, he was duty bound to lead the country out of the current economic difficulties and was confident he could push the economy to a new peak as well as build a clean and corruption-free government.

“The government has worked hard to make the country a better place, but I realize that you expect even more,” he said. “I fully understand that many of you are struggling under difficult economic conditions, and I am sad at heart ... The government will continue to exert itself ... I will not shun responsibility and will keep working hard.”

Ma said the nation’s economic fundamentals remain sound. He said that by joining forces, he believed the country would overcome current difficulties.

High on the government’s agenda is improving the economy, he said.

The administration will continue to deregulate and reconstruct the economic system, as well as strengthen security control and crisis management, he said.

Citing Sun Yat-sen (孫中山) and former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), Ma said his administration would pursue economic reconstruction with the same stamina and determination that the two had shown and he believed the public would soon see a “clear sky after the storm.”

Ma said Sun failed 10 times before he successfully overthrew the Qing dynasty and founded the ROC.

Chiang faced two energy crises but handled them in a calm and decisive manner and created Taiwan’s economic miracle, Ma said.

LORD AND MASTER

“The Taiwanese are the lord and master of Taiwan and the driving force of the Chinese people,” the president said.

“The tougher the environment, the more determined the Taiwanese will be in demonstrating their true spirit,” he said.

Ma concluded his address by chanting “long live Taiwan’s democracy” and “long live the Republic of China.”

In a separate speech he delivered at the Presidential Office, Ma said the direction of the government’s policies was clear: to lay the groundwork for national prosperity and the future of the next generation.

OPPORTUNITY

“A crisis is a challenge for the brave and an opportunity for transformation,” Ma said, adding that the nation had encountered many difficulties over the years and prevailed.

He was confident that this time Taiwan would recover and regain its prosperity.

Ma received some 180 foreign guests attending the national day celebrations at the Presidential Office before delivering his public speech yesterday morning.

The guests included Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom, Kiribati Parliament Speaker Taomati Iuta, St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly Speaker Earl Asim Martin and Gambia National Assembly Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay.
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