Peaceful cross-strait relations will allow the next generation to enjoy freedom, democracy and prosperity, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday.
Outlining the goal of his administration in the New Year as “Holding on to universal values; facing global competition” in his weekly online speech published yesterday, Ma vowed to promote peace, human rights and humanity, as well as increase Taiwan’s international visibility by carrying out those universal values.
PEACE
“The value of peace is meaningful, especially after decades of cross-strait confrontations,” Ma said. “Creating peace will be our strategy, and peaceful cross-strait relations will lead Taiwan to another victory in the new wave of global competition as a small country.”
Ma said Taiwan has transformed itself from an agricultural society to an industrial nation and become a democratic country over the past 60 years. The display of such great power to the world despite the nation’s small population and territory was a major accomplishment, he said.
“Taiwan transformed itself from a troublemaker to a peacemaker, and we showed the world our great efforts in promoting peace across the Taiwan Strait,” he said.
‘CLOSED DOOR’
Ma blamed the Democratic Progressive Party for limiting the nation’s possibilities with its “closed-door policy” over the past eight years, adding that Taiwan has been marginalized and this was why it was absent from ASEAN.
Ma said his administration’s efforts to push for peaceful cross-strait relations would open up new opportunities for Taiwan, including the joining of international organizations or signing of cooperation agreements with other countries.
“Smaller countries have limited resources, and we should create peace with flexible and open-minded thoughts,” he said.
Ma acknowledged that China remained a threat to Taiwan, but added that it also presented possibilities. The government will maximize the opportunities and minimize the threats to seek a better future for Taiwanese, he said.
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