Taiwan's President Talks About Trade，Regional Security And The U.S. Pivot In An Interview With Forbe

[daring dude]

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou won re-election in 2012 with 52% of the vote, an endorsement of his policies to boost economic ties between Taiwan and the mainland. Of late, however, that policy direction has run into controversy.Protestors briefly occupied Taiwan’s legislature in March to express displeasure at a service trade agreement his government signed last year with Beijing and have kept up their criticism since. The agreement, which would notably benefit the Taiwan financial industry’s access in the mainland, has yet to be approved by the legislature.

In a wide-ranging interview at the Presidential Office Building in downtown Taipei last Thursday, President Ma reiterated his support for the agreement, and blamed obstructionism by a minority for its delay.He chided a statement by mainland official earlier this month that China’s 1.3 billion people should all have a say in the future of Taiwan. “They need to do more homework” about Taiwan, President Ma said.

On other topics, Taiwan’s leader downplayed concerns about fallout from rising security tensions between China and its neighbors, and also said his party faced a “major challenge” in year-end local elections that could have a big impact on ties with China and next year’s presidential race.