Ma Delivers Speech After Being Nominated

Ma Delivers Speech After Being Nominated

Sources: KMT Culture and Communication Committee

April 28, 2011

After being formally nominated to run for a second term, President Ma Ying-jeou delivered an acceptance speech, titled "Taiwan Keeps Moving Forward, Victory for Taiwan." He declared that Taiwan should not go back down the road to corruption, divisiveness, incompetence, and closed-door policies which the DPP charted during its 8-year rule, adding that only if he was elected to a second term in 2012 could Taiwan keep walking down the right path.    

Ma stated that during the 8 years of DPP rule, the number of Taiwan's diplomatic allies shrank from 29 to 23, but that after he took office, diplomatic relations with the ROC's 23 allies have been stable. In addition, Ma noted that when Chen Shui-bian was in office, only 53 countries/regions had granted ROC passport holders visa-free or landing visas privileges, but that number now increased to 113.

       Chairman Ma said that the country’s dignity and the welfare of the people backpedalled while the DPP was in power for 8 years.  Now the ROC moved forward and faced the wide world step by step.  For example, Taiwan returned to the World Health Assembly (WHA) after an absence of 38 years; acceded to the agreement on government procurement, giving us more business opportunities; and former Vice President Lien Chan could attend the APEC Leaders’ Meeting for the past three years, representing President Ma.  Chairman Ma added that he defended sovereignty and Taiwan’s dignity in an effective way.  Chairman Ma said he could do it, but the DPP failed to do so.  The mentioned-above achievements were the most important foundation for winning a second term, and Chairman Ma stated that he would move forward Taiwan’s dignity and ROC's sovereignty.

Ma stressed that he and the majority of the public have firmly defended the ROC's Constitution and sovereignty as well as Taiwan's dignity and public welfare. Ma said that although the opposition party accused him of "cosying up to China and selling out Taiwan," everyone with a clear mind should know that every agreement that Taiwan signed with the Mainland was transparent. Every agreement benefited Taiwan and no agreement sacrificed an inch of our sovereignty, Ma added.    

Ma criticized the former DPP government for failing to defend Taiwan's dignity and the public welfare, causing the nation to "backpedal." Now, he said, the KMT government had moved Taiwan "forward." He asked, in a raised voice, "Which party upholds ROC's sovereignty? Which party protects Taiwan's dignity? The answers are absolutely clear." Ma stressed, "We will keep doing what is right and never retreat.""I am not good at shouting slogans. I am a man of action," he added in the end.     

 According to a KMT party worker, Ma's remarks yesterday had charted a course for the 2012 Presidential campaign, which included cross-Strait issues, foreign affairs and economics. He would stress his achievements over the three years he has been in office, in a stark contrast with the DPP's misrule over its 8 years in office.  

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