President Ma Ying-jeou says he hopes Taiwan will maintain the status quo in its relations with China. Ma was speaking at a graduation ceremony at the armed forces academy on Tuesday.
Ma said that during his presidency, he has worked to maintain the policy of no independence, no unification and no use of force in the Taiwan Strait.
He said the 1992 Consensus, a tacit agreement suggesting that there is only one China, has led to peaceful development and reduced tensions in cross-strait relations. Ma also said that cross-strait relations are at their best since Mainland China and Taiwan split 66 years ago.
Ma said the best way to maintain cross-strait peace is to learn from the ancient Chinese treatise The Art of War by Chinese general Sun Tzu.
"We certainly hope to maintain the status quo so we have more time to work on other issues and social needs rather than military matters," Ma said, "We have to use Sun Tzu’s teaching that 'the highest form of generalship is to counterattack the enemy’s plans'. That is, neither side will choose to use non-peaceful means to change the status quo."
During the ceremony, Ma also presented War of Resistance Memorial Medals to 25 war veterans. He said the medals represent the high honor that the nation gives to veterans.
"During the war, countless officers and soldiers dedicated their youth to protect the country to the point of sacrificing their health and precious lives, Ma said. "We have to express our greatest respect and gratitude to them."
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. President Ma said that mistakes in history can be forgiven, but the truth of what happened cannot be forgotten. Ma said that the war had a tremendous impact on the nation and its people. He also said the government is doing everything it can to authentically present this period in history so future generations can understand its significance.