President Ma Ying-jeou says the number of overseas visitors to Taiwan has spiked during his administration because of its successful policies. He made the remarks on Thursday, citing figures from the interior ministry.
Ma said that several policies have helped bring the world a more positive image of Taiwan. He said these policies include improved cross-strait relations. As a result, the president said, many people who wouldn’t travel to Taiwan are now willing to pay a visit.
Ma also said that some people have criticized him for making people suffer over the past eight years. He quoted last year’s number of people going overseas for travel, saying 13 million is over half of the country’s population. He said that these travelers would have fled the country and not have returned if his administration had made Taiwan suffer.
Reflecting on his presidency, which will come to an end in May, Ma said he has led Taiwan through the global financial crisis, the Euro debt crisis, and an export decline. But he said that the global situation is now improving.