Print

Mail

wiki links

Ma denies being anti-Japanese ahead of visit

Two days before his visit to Japan, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday dismissed rumors that he is anti-Japan.

"Japan has long historical ties with China and Taiwan. We can forgive Japan for what it did to China, but we cannot forget," Ma told reporters in response to press reports that Japanese leaders were worried that Ma, who is seen as the front-runner in the 2008 presidential polls, is anti-Japan.

Ma said his position on the controversial Diaoyutais (釣魚台) remained the same, but he would try to promote Taiwan-Japan ties.

Japan's war past and the Diao-yutai Islands are the two obstacles in Tokyo's relations with China and Taiwan.

Japan has refused to apologize for invading China and recruiting "comfort women" during World War II, and Japan occupies the Diaoyutais, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan.

Ma will begin a five-day visit to Japan tomorrow to meet with Japanese leaders and study Japan's economic development.

He is reportedly scheduled to meet with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, Foreign Minister Taro Aso and ex-prime minister Yoshiro Mori, who are seen as possible successors to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi after he completes his term in September.

Ma visited the US in March and Singapore and Australia in May in his capacity as the mayor of Taipei.

However, political observers saw his overseas trips as an effort to raise his international profile and pave the way for taking power in 2008.
This story has been viewed 1778 times.