Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou arrived in Shanghai on Monday for a 12-day trip, becoming the first former Taiwanese leader to visit the mainland, the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported.
Ma is scheduled to stay in China through April 7, during which time he and over 30 students from Taiwan will visit Wuhan and other cities.
He is the first former president of Taiwan to visit the Chinese mainland since 1949, when the two sides separated after a civil war.
Ma is a senior leader of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party KMT, which advocates for friendlier cross-strait relations.
Before leaving Taiwan, Ma told reporters that he was pleased to visit China, adding that in addition to paying respects to his ancestors, he is also taking a group of university students from Taiwan to conduct exchanges with their counterparts in China.
“It is hoped the current cross-strait atmosphere can be improved through the enthusiasm and interactions of the younger generation,” Ma was quoted as saying. (end) mk.mb
Source: Kuwait News Agency