TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) accused President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday (Oct. 15) of failing to adhere to the constitutional principles of the Republic of China (ROC, 中華民國). Ma criticized Lai for excluding mainland China from the ROC's territory, despite frequently referencing the ROC in his public statements.
Ma made these remarks at the inauguration of the "New Legislative Thinktank" (新國會智庫), organized by Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Lo Chih-Chiang (羅智強) at the Legislative Yuan (Taiwan's parliament).
He argued that mainstream public opinion in Taiwan favors peaceful cross-strait relations, contrasting this with Lai's stance on Taiwan's independence, which asserts a non-subordination relationship between the ROC and the People's Republic of China (PRC, 中華人民共和國).
Further, Ma claimed that Lai's policies, which he said violate the constitution, have provoked mainland China's military actions, raising international concerns and endangering Taiwan’s 23 million residents. He expressed confidence that the think tank’s data would reflect public opinion and offer a counterbalance to the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP, 民進黨) influence.