March 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The former president of Taiwan Ma Ying Jeou (2008-2016) has announced that he will travel to China next week, in what is considered a historic trip in the region, as he will be the first former Taiwanese head of state to visit mainland China since 1949.
On this trip, Ma is expected to visit several cities, including Nanjing, Wuhan or Shanghai, from March 27 to April 7, the island’s news portal UDN has reported.
The former president is “very aware” that his first visit to the continent will have “considerable” political effects, and has indicated that he does not want this announcement to be controversial or used politically in view of the next general elections.
Although Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, the Chinese government’s fundamental policy towards the island has so far been one of peaceful reunification under the “one country, two systems” principle.
The authorities of the Asian giant continue to consider Taiwan as one more province under its sovereignty. Following the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the international community has expressed concern about the possibility of China carrying out similar measures against Taiwan.
