President Ma Ying-jeou gave a celebratory address Wednesday, recounting some of the economic and diplomatic achievements of his seven years in office.
Ma told his audience that the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) has led to a 36% increase of exports to China. Ma said that nearly half of the companies in that export figure are small and midsize enterprises, which he said demonstrates that cross-strait trade does not just benefit big companies.
Ma also said that since signing the ECFA, Taiwan has also signed economic agreements with Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore. These agreements show that Taiwan is diversifying trade and investment. Ma said that these agreements were made possible by the 1992 Consensus.
"The past administration couldn’t have achieved these things. So how were we able to do so? The reason is simple. Over the past seven years, the government, under the structure of the Republic of China constitution, has maintained its pragmatic policy of no unification, no independence and no military force," Ma said. "It has used the 1992 Consensus of 'One China, each side with its own interpretation' to promote peaceful development of cross-strait relations."
President Ma also said that his administration has seen much progress on the diplomatic front. This includes the fisheries agreement between Taiwan and Japan and the consensus with the Philippines on fishery talks. Ma also highlighted Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly for the past six years.
President Ma also said he is proud of the fact that 142 countries and territories grant Taiwanese passport-holders visa-free entry.
"Over 98% of the countries that people often travel to no longer require [Taiwanese nationals to have] a visa," Ma said. "This is the first time in history that our nation has enjoyed such respect. This gives our people dignity. This is what makes sovereignty meaningful, and this is what it means to protect our sovereignty."
President Ma said no matter who takes office next year, his successor should continue to move in the same direction.