Nation's democratic influence on PRC inevitable: Ma

President-elect Ma Ying-jeou discusses cross-strait relations in an interview with the Central News Agency in Taipei on Friday. PHOTO: CNA

President-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said in an interview that he does not advocate “directly exporting democracy” to China, adding that by increasing cross-strait interaction, the merits of democracy would “naturally” lead to positive changes in China.

In an interview with the Central News Agency (CNA) on Friday, Ma said that the nation had in the past seen China as a threat and ignored the opportunities it presented.

Ma told CNA that increasing non-political exchanges across the Taiwan Strait would inevitably transfer democratic values to China, and that the results would benefit Taiwan’s national security.

This was a more effective way to increase security than simply increasing defense spending, he said.

Ma said the nation’s democracy was on display for the Chinese during the presidential election. After passionate campaigns by both candidates, the loser gracefully conceded defeat and the winner humbly accepted victory, he said, adding that this “had shaken China like nothing else could.”

In response to a CNA question about whether the nation should try to “export” democracy to China, Ma said this was not necessary, as the Internet and satellite television meant that many Chinese can see the merits of Taiwan’s democracy for themselves.

Ma cited a message posted on the Web site of China’s People’s Daily following city and county elections in Taiwan in 2005.

Ma said a reader posted the message, asking: “Why can the Taiwanese go to their neighborhood elementary school and cast ballots in an election, but we cannot?”

Ma said that his proposal that Taiwan recognize diplomas issued by Chinese universities would also help the nation exert its influence on China.

Recognizing Chinese degrees will lead to a greater number of Chinese students studying in Taiwan, he said.

“When these young people who receive their education in Taiwan return home, they will become some of Taiwan’s best friends,” he said.