President Ma Ying-jeou says there’s no need for Taiwan to declare independence, because the Republic of China – which is the official name of Taiwan – is a sovereign nation.
The president was speaking on Tuesday night in Panama with the media which are accompanying him on his trip to Latin America. A reporter had asked whether a tough line on China on the part of opposition parties would change the Ma administration’s China policies.
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has traditionally leaned toward formal Taiwan independence, which China strongly opposes, saying that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.
President Ma spoke said that the Republic of China has been a sovereign state ever since it was founded.
"Have you ever heard of any country declaring independence twice? The Republic of China was established in 1912, and continues to be a sovereign state to this day. There’s no issue of independence, and no need to stress it. This is very important," said Ma.
Ma said that the people of Taiwan can elect their own president, legislators, and take care of their own affairs, and that there’s no need for a Taiwan independence movement.