TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation (馬英九基金會) urged for understanding and openness in cross-strait exchanges on Tuesday (Dec. 3), following controversy over a Chinese student's terminology during a visit to Taiwan. Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑), the foundation's CEO, called on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) not to bully visiting Chinese students, emphasizing that differences in terminology should not hinder exchanges.
The foundation invited 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese universities to Taiwan. During their visit to Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on Sunday, Fudan University (復旦大學) student Sung Ssu-yao (宋思瑤) congratulated Taiwan's baseball team as the "Taipei, China team" for winning the World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 championship. This sparked criticism from the DPP legislative caucus, which questioned the visit's intent, suggesting it might be a form of united front tactics.
Hsiao stressed that under the "Constitution of the Republic of China" (憲法) and the "Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area" (兩岸人民關係條例), both sides belong to "one China." He argued that terminology differences should not obstruct exchanges. He highlighted Taiwan's need to showcase its free, open, and diverse democratic society rather than expelling differing opinions, which he said mirrors the behavior they criticize.
Hsiao described the cross-strait student exchanges as harmonious, contrary to the DPP's portrayal of them as intimidating and xenophobic. The foundation's call to action encourages Taiwan to embrace its democratic values and foster genuine youth exchanges.