Former President Ma Ying-jeou’s visit is the first of its kind since Taiwan’s declaration of independence in 1949.
Former President of Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou has announced that he will visit China next week.
This is a historic event, as no current or previous leaders of Taiwan have visited China before.
Relations between the two countries have become inflamed, as China does not recognize Taiwan’s independence.
Taiwan declared independence in 1949, but China has said it is ready to return Taiwan to China by military force if necessary.
Ma does not plan to visit the capital Beijing or meet the Chinese leadership during his visit.
Representing the Kuomintang Party, Ma ruled Taiwan from 2008 to 2016. During his reign, Taiwan’s relations with China improved considerably.
Among other things, Ma met the leader of China Xi Jinping At a summit held in Singapore in 2015.
Taiwan’s current president Tsai Ing-wen relations have deteriorated again since China began to put pressure on Taiwan militarily, diplomatically and economically.
According to Man’s spokesperson, the purpose of his visit is to reduce tensions between the two countries.
Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party has condemned the visit and accused Ma of pandering to China.
– The people of Taiwan cannot accept that the retired head of state is made a pawn of the Chinese Communist Party, the party said.
China welcomes the visit and says it will offer Ma all the help she needs.
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