President Ma Ying-jeou says that his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in November has more than just a symbolic meaning. He was speaking Saturday at the 2016 World Freedom Day Celebration in Taipei.
Ma said the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, is Asia’s first democratic republic. He said the country has been making serious efforts to deepen democracy over the past 70 years and has seen six direct presidential elections.
The president said he has been working to further peaceful cross-strait developments based on the 1992 Consensus since he took office in 2008.
Ma said the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have established trust over the past eight years. He said his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping has propelled progress in cross-strait trade negotiations.
Ma said he hopes the two sides continue to have similar meetings. He said that meetings between the leaders of the two sides can become a bridge of peace across the Taiwan Strait and serve as a solid foundation for peace and prosperity on both sides.