On China Trip, Ex-Taiwanese President Doesn't Rule Out Meeting Officials: 'We Are At Our Hosts' Disposal'

A senior official from Ma Ying Jeou's office said the former Taiwan president would be on a historic trip to China later this month. 

What Happened: Ma's trip to China is aimed at student exchanges and to pay respects to the graves of his ancestors in the country. However, the former leader doesn't rule out meeting senior Beijing officials during the visit, reported Reuters.

See Also: Xi Jinping Undecided On Taiwan Invasion But Ambitions Can't Be Underestimated: CIA Chief

Ma said he is “at his host’s disposal” when it comes to meeting Chinese, but there are no plans for him to visit Beijing and the trip is planned just for Central China. The top Taiwanese leader will be the first former or living president to visit China since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 at the end of a civil war with the Communists.

Ma, in late 2015, met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore shortly before Tsai Ing Wen, the current Taiwan president, won an election. The visit comes amid high-end tension across the Strait as Beijing ramped up pressure on Taipei to accept its sovereignty claims.

Ma Ying Jeou Foundation director Hsiao Hsu Tsen told the media “The trip is to central China, we have not arranged (for Ma) to go to Beijing.”

“As guests, we are at our hosts’ disposal,” Hsiao added.

“He believes that the two sides have entered an icebound state in recent years. If young people can communicate and have dialogue, it will definitely reduce the current tensions,” Hsiao said.

Taiwan’s Presidential Office said it had been informed of and “respected” Ma’s plans to visit China  from March 27-April 7. Tsai's office said it hopes Ma “will demonstrate Taiwan’s values of democracy and freedom” on his trip. 

Read Next: Biden Sends Envoy To Honduras As Taiwan Warns Former Ally To Avoid ‘Poison’ Of Chinese Aid