TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation (馬英九基金會) announced Friday (Nov. 15) that the government approved a visit by students and faculty from seven Chinese universities, including Tsinghua University (清華大學). The 40-member delegation includes Olympic gold medalists Ma Long (馬龍) and Yang Qian (楊倩).
Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑), the foundation's executive director, expressed gratitude to Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) for coordinating with government departments to facilitate the visit. He also thanked Mainland Affairs Council (陸委會) Minister Chiu Chui-Cheng (邱垂正) and Deputy Education Minister Yeh Ping-cheng (葉丙成) for their support.
The Chinese delegation plans to arrive on Nov. 27 and depart on Dec. 5, visiting six Taiwanese universities, including National Taiwan University (台灣大學) and National Tsing Hua University (清華大學), as well as Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School (台北市立中山女中).
Hsiao emphasized the significance of the government's approval amid current cross-strait tensions, noting that former President Ma Ying-jeou hopes this visit will initiate more civilian exchanges to ease relations. A day earlier, the Mainland Affairs Council found no significant issues with the foundation's invitation but advised against political statements or actions that could harm Taiwan's status.