President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said on Friday that in drafting his policies for the nation, he had never considered the impact the reform programs he was introducing would have on his chances of re-election.
Just as US President Barack Obama said he would promote healthcare reform even if such a move hurt his chances at being re-elected, Ma said he never thought about how his “modus vivendi” approach toward China, flexible diplomatic strategy and Executive Yuan restructuring program could affect his electoral future.
“I have done what I should do ... Having the opportunity to be in power, I must establish a solid foundation for the long-term development of our country,” Ma said at a gathering with Taiwanese reporters after attending a dinner given in his honor by his Palau counterpart.
PHOTO: CNA
During a stop in Guam on his way from the Solomon Islands to Palau, Ma said he talked with American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burgardht on progress in Taiwan’s negotiations with China on the signing of an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA). The controversial subject of US beef imports was not discussed, he said.
On the opposition’s call for an ECFA referendum, Ma said the Democratic Progressive Party and the Taiwan Solidarity Union should come up with proposals to resolve practical issues rather than just oppose for opposition’s sake.
Cross-strait relations are critical to Taiwan’s future development, Ma said, adding that the opposition should not seek to characterize his administration’s efforts to improve cross-strait ties as a “pro-China” or “China-leaning” move.
Meanwhile in Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) dismissed reports that Ma’s gift of a smartphone to a Solomon Islands chieftain was “useless.”
MOFA spokesman Henry Chen (陳銘政) said the HTC smartphone Ma presented to chieftain Stanley Tabeva from remote Isabel Province should be seen as a source of pride for Taiwan.
“The president gave the handset as a gift because he was aware that high-tech products like the HTC smartphone are very popular with leaders of our South Pacific allies,” Chen said. “Stanley visits the Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara, very often and a mobile phone is very useful for him.”
The handset not only allows the chief to surf the Internet, it also provides access to other multimedia entertainment, such as taking photos and listening to music, Chen said.
He also disclosed that Ma had directed Taiwan’s embassy and technical mission in the country to donate fertilizer and urea to the Solomon Islands to aid agricultural development.
Ma met Tabeva on Thursday while checking out the operations of Taiwan’s agricultural technical mission in the Solomon Islands.
Tabeva presented Ma with a donation for victims of Typhoon Morakot collected from people living in more remote parts of the country.
Ma arrived in the Solomon Islands on Wednesday, the fifth stop on his diplomatic tour of Taiwan’s six allies in the South Pacific. He returned to Taipei last night.
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