Ma Ying-jeou heads to China 'to improve cross-strait atmosphere'

马英九前往中国大陆，“改善两岸气氛”

TAOYUAN, Taiwan: Taiwan ex-president Ma Ying-jeou travelled to China on Monday, embarking on the first cross-strait visit by a current or former leader of the island in more than seven decades, a trip Taipei's ruling party called "regrettable".

Ma's 12-day trip will not involve any official meetings, his office said, with his focus on paying tribute to his ancestors and promoting youth exchanges.

台湾桃园：3月27日，台湾地区前领导人马英九前往中国大陆，开始了70多年来台湾现任或前任领导人的首次两岸访问，台北执政党称此次访问“令人遗憾”。

马英九的办公室表示，马英九为期12天的访问将不涉及任何官方会议，重点是祭祖和促进青年交流。

"I hope to improve the cross-strait atmosphere through the enthusiastic interactions of young people, so peace can come to us faster and sooner," the 73-year-old said at the airport.

The former president's departure comes a day after Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of Beiing

这位73岁的老人在机场说：“我希望通过年轻人的热情互动来改善两岸的气氛，这样和平就能更快地到来。”。

这位前领导人离开的前一天，洪都拉斯与台湾断绝外交关系，转而与北京建交。

以下是各国网民的评论：

Grecoroman

KMT has always been politically soft on China so this comes as no surprise. But this visit is disrespectful given the overwhelming public opinion against the visit. As Dr. Jaishankar once answered to a British-Pakistani journalist over cricketing ties, that sentiments of people matter in a de ocracy.

在政治上，国民党一直对中国大陆态度温和，所以这并不奇怪。但是，鉴于反对这次访问的公众舆论铺天盖地，这次访问是不讨喜的。正如苏杰生博士曾就板球关系对一名英国巴基斯坦裔记者的回答一样，在有些国家，民众的情绪很重要。

Bang_dzat

This is how's the leaders should be.... salute to you

身为领导人，就应该这样做。向你致敬

wgh

Good vision. Peace on both sides.

美好的愿景！两岸和平

Animated world life

Taiwan moves far ahead of Singapore. Business in Taiwan continues to be years ahead in professionalism compared to Singapore

台湾远远领先新加坡。与新加坡相比，台湾的商业水平继续领先多年

sensi23

During Ma’s terms in office, Taiwan and China increased contacts.

马英九执政期间，两岸加大了交流

e lin Ong

Peace for the Chinese people.

愿中国人民和平。

Superman119

What "former president"? China only call him "former governor from taiwan province". Poor Mr. Ma

什么“前总统”？中国称他是“台湾省的前领导人”。可怜的马英九

lagrangewei

US doesn't even recognise Taiwan exst... LOL

美国也不承认台湾啊，哈哈

NBO ZHANG

@lagrangewei it does when it is selling Taiwan weapons to defend itself against the menace across the strait

卖武器的时候就认了啊

The Extraterrestrial

@NBO ZHANG It just a weapon sales... Lol

只是军火交易而已，哈哈

William N

not even that.. taiwan is only a part for fujian province so he's only the island administrator

台湾是福建省的一部分，所以他只是岛上的行政官员

John Lim

This is a good and bold step taken by Mr Ma.

这是马英九迈出的一个大胆的步骤，迈得好

Rob Nugie1

Big step towards full mental bondage

是迈向精神束缚的一大步

Will Sun
he doesn't even get the red carpet. in denial people

他都没有走红地毯的待遇

William N

@Will Sun he does not hold official position, this is his personal trip...

这次不是官方访问，而是个人访问

TEXAS Secession

Pray for a peaceful unification and prosperity

祈祷两岸和平统一，繁荣富强

win law

Ma is brave and smart. Ma loves peace.

马英九，既勇敢又聪明。马英九爱好和平。

Heng Ee Chua

Such a honourable Taiwanese Chinese. Never forget his motherland, the Great Middle Kingdom

值得尊敬的中国人。永远不忘记他的祖国，伟大的中国

Aaron Sutton

May peace harmony flourish across straits

愿海峡两岸和平和谐

ガマユン

Мягкая сила творит чудеса. Так держать, Китай

软实力创造奇迹。坚持下去，中国加油

Ray Hsieh

Peace is everything

和平才是王道

Qayyum Khan

Welcome to mainland

欢迎来到中国大陆

Reynaldo Lazaro

Unification is coming, make peace not war

台湾要统一了。要和平，不要战争

Vision

It is only a matter of time before the remaining 13 mini-states will cut off diplomatic ties with Taiwan province.
I am just curious which of these 13 countries will be the Taiwan's last straw.

剩下的13个小国与台湾省断交只是时间问题。

我只是好奇这13个国家中哪一个会是台湾的最后一根稻草。

Devil Devil

Chinese are forever loyal to motherland

中国人永远忠于祖国

Aslam Pervez

Ma Ying is absolute patriot

马英九绝对是爱国者