The Presidential Office has decided not to approve former President Ma Ying-jeou’s planned visit to Hong Kong because of the sensitive nature of the destination. That’s the word from Mainland Affairs Council Minister Katherine Chang, speaking at the legislature on Monday.
The MAC is the top body charting Taiwan’s China policy.
President Ma left office on May 20 and was subsequently invited to Hong Kong to give a speech on June 15. According to Taiwan's Classified National Security Information Protection Act, Ma needs approval from the current administration in order to leave the country. That’s because presidents have access to classified information during their tenure.
When asked why the Presidential Office has decided not to give consent for the trip, MAC Minister Katherine Chang said the office took many factors into consideration. She also pointed to the sensitive nature of the destination.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of Mainland China, which has been a major security threat to Taiwan.
Ma himself said on Monday that the decision has led to much controversy and that he trusts the public will judge the situation fairly.
While this would not have been the first overseas trip for a former president of Taiwan, it is the first time a former president has applied to make such a visit within three years of stepping down.