President Ma urges China to face existence of ROC
10/10/2011
Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA)
President Ma Ying-jeou urged mainland China on Monday to face the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to move toward freedom and democracy, a day after his Chinese counterpart called for China-Taiwan reunification by peaceful means.
The Republic of China must be referred to "not in the past tense, but in the present tense," since it has been flourishing in Taiwan for more than six decades, radiating its vitality to every corner of the earth, and will continue to do in the future, he said.
Ma made the remark during his National Day address in Taipei.
On Sunday, Chinese President Hu Jintao said Taiwan and China should heal the wounds of the past and work together toward "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."
"Achieving reunification by peaceful means best serves the fundamental interests of all Chinese, including our Taiwan compatriots," he said.
Relations between Taiwan and China have greatly improved since Ma took office in 2008.
(By James Lee)
|