Ma Called for Cross-Strait Peace, Not Warfare

Ma Called for Cross-Strait Peace, Not Warfare
KMT Press Release
March 24, 2008

Following the KMT’s landslide victory in the Presidential election, President-elect Ma Ying-jeou said in a press conference that the victory belongs to neither the KMT Ma-Siew ticket nor the KMT. “It belongs to the millions of people on Taiwan who crave for change and reform,” said Ma, adding that “the aspirations of the people, who want a clean government as opposed to a corrupt one, a prosperous economy as opposed to a sluggish one, a stable political environment as opposed to a dividing one, communal harmony as opposed to communal conflicts, and cross-Strait peace as opposed to warfare, have been properly reflected in the outcome of the Presidential election.”

Ma added, “Over the past year, I have traveled around Taiwan and made direct contact with over 500,000 people on Taiwan. I realize the people’s aspirations to live a stable life and sustain Taiwan’s core values. Over the past eight years, an increasing number of people on Taiwan have become tired of political bickering. The people are not pursuing fame and fortune. All they want is a decent life, a life that would not see them wasting their golden years on wheel-spinning.”

Ma says he has “heard the voice of the people,” and regards the victory as “the beginning of a great responsibility.” “I will bear in mind the people’s trust in me and make this a driving force behind my efforts. I have secured a popular mandate of more than 50%. The people have sufficient confidence in me to hand me the right of complete governance. I did not run for Presidency in pursuit of fame and fortune. Now that I am elected President, I will turn my campaign platforms into policies as soon as possible and earmark budgets to back the policies,” said Ma.

Ma pledged to begin his rule “with humility and gratitude,” and always listen to the voice of the people.

Ma also paid his compliments to the DPP Hsieh-Su ticket. “While we did not always see eye to eye throughout the election campaign, I have never denied the DPP’s contribution to Taiwan over the past decades. We should be proud of ourselves for completing the Presidential election together, regardless of the result,” said Ma.

Speaking with great vigor, Ma made salutations in Mandarin, Hakka dialect, and Minnan dialect. “This is a victory of the people on Taiwan,” said Ma, who made a speech thanking supporters in three tongues and declaring his election as President.

Ma made his election address at seven thirty p.m., Saturday, March 22 outside his campaign headquarters. Ma was greeted with a large group of supporters, who chanted “Mr. President!” in high decibel. Ma made the address standing inside a unique bulletproof booth, which is even higher than the new President-elect.

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