Ma Ying-jeou quotes

Ma Ying-jeou is a Taiwanese politician and former President of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Known for his efforts to improve cross-strait relations between Taiwan and mainland China, he played a significant role in regional diplomacy. He continues to be an influential figure in Taiwanese politics and public discourse. Here are 31 of his quotes:

We know that Hong Kong, after the handover to mainland China, has been trying for universal suffrage ... We know that mainland China has made promises and we're of course pleased to see Hong Kong changing in this direction.

Ma Ying-jeou

People like to see honest persons. So I certainly will advise many young people who want to participate in politics, honesty is the best policy.

Ma Ying-jeou

Be honest. Be honest with yourself, be honest with, you know, your fellow politicians. This is a rare quality of politicians.

Ma Ying-jeou

I am Taiwanese as well as Chinese.

Ma Ying-jeou

There will be no national flags or other kinds of flags designed to specify cross-strait relations inside or outside the offices because we are not foreign nations to each other.

Ma Ying-jeou

The two sides of the Taiwan Strait will deepen cross-strait exchanges, and it will be difficult to continue such exchanges without representative offices.

Ma Ying-jeou

Pragmatically speaking, there exists no possibility of Taiwan independence. The only option (for Taiwan) is whether to reunify (with Mainland China) or not.

Ma Ying-jeou

Not everyone understands this. But we (ROC government) have done what needed to be done, and we will keep doing so until the very end.

Ma Ying-jeou

This (Taiwanese fisherman shot by Philippines coast guard incident) is not a problem between the people of Taiwan and the people of the Philippines. This is a problem between the people of Taiwan and the Philippine administration.

Ma Ying-jeou

I think mutual denial of each other's sovereignty (between ROC and PRC) and mutual non-denial of respective jurisdictions would be more appropriate, but any proposal has its pros and cons, and I think it's up for discussion.

Ma Ying-jeou

Renewable energy has its limitations and the government cannot put all its eggs in the same basket. We must develop different sources of energy, otherwise an energy crisis could result in a serious national security issue.

Ma Ying-jeou

In 1992, the two sides (Taiwan and Mainland China) reached a consensus that each side would verbally express their adherence to the one China principle.

Ma Ying-jeou

The military should learn a lesson from the incident and correct its mistakes immediately after a review of its system. We must restore the people's faith in the military.

Ma Ying-jeou

It is impossible for us to recognize (mainland China) as another nation within our (Republic of China) territory.

Ma Ying-jeou

The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese by ethnicity. Cross-strait relations are not international relations. Each side acknowledges the existence of "one China", but maintains its own interpretation based on the 1992 Consensus.

Ma Ying-jeou

We must actively engage in regional economic integration, as Taiwan is an island with few natural resources and a relatively small economy. Taiwan had signed very few free-trade agreements in the past. How can we not be in a hurry to catch up?

Ma Ying-jeou

Our relationship with mainland China is very subtle. We don't have a state-to-state relationship and we do not view mainland China as a foreign state.

Ma Ying-jeou

Providing compensation (to the victims of White Terror) will not write off the incidents once and for all.

Ma Ying-jeou

The mistakes of history might be gradually forgotten, but historical truth cannot be forgotten, since forgetting history could lead to the recurrence of the same mistakes.

Ma Ying-jeou

Since 1949, China has been temporarily divided, and each side of the Taiwan Strait is administered by a separate political entity. This is an objective reality.

Ma Ying-jeou

Both the 228 Incident (White Terror in Taiwan) and the June 4 Incident (Tiananmen Square Incident in Beijing) are like mirrors, reminding the leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to engage in soul-searching and learn lessons.

Ma Ying-jeou

We have no reason to be pessimistic about the (cross-strait service trade) agreement or to be afraid of its impact. The government will try its best to minimize possible damage and maximize the business opportunities the agreement can create.

Ma Ying-jeou