TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former President Ma Ying-jeou's upcoming second visit to China has sparked differing opinions among scholars. Some believe the trip could ease cross-strait political tensions, while others see it as a sign of China's united front strategy.
The news of Ma's visit from April 1 to 11 was announced on Monday (March 25). Foundation executive director Hsiao Hsu-tsen said the main purpose of the trip is to visit Chinese cultural and historical sites and businesses, as well as to interact with students from Sun Yat-sen University and Peking University.
Hsiao stated that Ma's visit was in response to an invitation from mainland China. Chang Hung-yuan, associate professor in the Department of International Trade at Chihlee University of Technology, believes that Ma's trip, which includes leading students to China, could reduce the sense of political conflict across the strait and decrease the chances of a vicious spiral.
Chang further pointed out that through this visit, misunderstandings that may arise from the lack of contact between the two sides can be resolved, and it can present the diverse views of Taiwanese people on cross-strait relations.
However, Taiwan Thinktank researcher Wu Se-chih sees Ma's visit as aligning with the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) call in February to "promote the common promotion of Chinese culture across the strait," suggesting a united front strategy. Wu further noted that the timing of Ma's visit, before the new president's inauguration on May 20, provides a chance for the CCP to gauge the reaction of Taiwanese society.