The first visit to China by a former Taiwanese president is a politically significant event. That’s the word from national security chief Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) speaking at the legislature on Wednesday.
Former KMT President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) is set to visit China from March 27 to April 7. Ma’s office says the former leader is going to worship his ancestors and facilitate student exchanges, and will not meet with top Chinese officials.
Tsai says Ma only has to notify the Presidential Office and abide by Taiwanese law to go on his trip. But he reminds Ma to avoid being part of Chinese efforts to unify with Taiwan. Tsai says Chinese officials have begun a consultation process to develop a plan to unify both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
During questioning, DPP lawmaker Lo Chi-cheng (羅致政) mentioned that Ma’s itinerary has an emphasis on the Republic of China’s history, referring to Taiwan’s official name.
Tsai says Chinese officials will make political calculations while developing a foreign politician's itinerary. He says national security officials will be closely monitoring Beijing’s efforts to influence Taiwanese public opinion during Ma’s trip.