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MA’S RE-INAUGURATION:
Ma speech focuses on economic growth
NO SURPRISES: As the president was sworn in for
a second and final term, Ma Ying-jeou also touched on the controversial ‘one
country, two areas’ proposal
By Mo Yan-chih / Staff reporter
President Ma Ying-jeou is sworn
in in front of a portrait of Republic of China founder Sun Yat-sen at the
Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Ma was sworn in for a second and final
four-year term, while the opposition rallied against energy price increases and
imports of US beef containing ractopamine residue.
Photo: Hsu Chao Chang, AFP
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday
pledged to strengthen economic growth in pursuit of social justice in the next
four years as he was inaugurated for a second term, while reiterating his
promise of maintaining cross-strait peace and avoiding discussing the
possibility of cross-strait political talks.
Ma, who won re-election in January, was sworn in for his second term at the
Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday morning together with Vice President Wu
Den-yih (吳敦義), accompanied by first lady Chow Mei-ching (周美青) and Wu’s wife,
Tsai Ling-yi (蔡令怡).
The swearing-in ceremony proceeded amid tight security, with a heavy police
force and barbed-wired barricades surrounding the peripheral areas of the
Presidential Office.
In his inauguration speech, titled “Upholding ideals, working together for
reform and creating greater well-being for Taiwan,” Ma prioritized economic
development and other domestic issues, including social justice, energy
conservation and cultural development.
He promised to increase the nation’s competitiveness with “five pillars” —
economic growth, social justice, a “green” environment, cultural development and
cultivating talent.
On cross-strait relations, Ma reiterated that his administration would continue
to pursue peace across the Taiwan Strait and maintain the cross-strait “status
quo” under the “three noes” policy — no unification, no independence and no use
of force — and the so-called “1992 consensus,” while defending the nation’s
sovereignty in mentioning the concept of “one country, two areas (一國兩區).”
“Over the past 20 years, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been defined as
‘one Republic of China [ROC], two areas’ ... This is an eminently rational and
pragmatic definition, and constitutes the basis for assuring the ROC’s long-term
development and safeguarding Taiwan’s security,” he said.
He vowed to facilitate follow-up negotiations on the cross-strait Economic
Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which are scheduled to be completed
within the next two years, while promising to promote exchanges focusing on
issues of democracy and human rights.
Stable cross-strait relations, the use of viable diplomacy and strong national
defense will form the “three legs” of national security, Ma said.
The government would continue to purchase weapons of a defensive nature from the
US to establish a sturdy national defense force, he added.
Later at an international press conference, Ma dismissed concerns about the
possibility of political talks and a peace treaty between Taiwan and China,
insisting there is no urgency in discussing a peace agreement with China at this
stage.
“There’s no urgency for us to discuss the issue with the mainland [sic]. As I’ve
said last year, [signing a cross-strait peace agreement] requires public support
and approval via a referendum. We do not have immediate plans for such a peace
treaty now,” he said.
He also stressed the government’s efforts in seeking free-trade deals with major
trade partners, including the US, and reiterated the expectation for Taiwan to
join the Trans-Pacific Partnership by 2020.
As local media outlets continued to press Ma on the public backlash against
government policies, ranging from the US beef import issue to rising electricity
and fuel prices, Ma said he has apologized about the poor policymaking process
to the public on several occasions and he vowed to improve communication with
the public and legislators before initiating policies.
On the opposition’s call for a Cabinet reshuffle, Ma defended the Cabinet’s
efforts in implementing policies, but said he would make adjustments in Cabinet
personnel in the future, if necessary.
He also dismissed calls for him to resign as Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)
chairman, and said doubling as KMT leader is necessary to facilitate government
reform.
“I double as KMT chairman in order to make party politics run smoothly ... Our
party can assist the Cabinet in promoting policies and serve as a communication
platform between the legislative and executive branches,” he said.
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