During his visit to the mainland, Ma Ying-jeou once again expressed his stance on the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands, which aroused concern from all walks of life. When he visited the Xi'an National Editions Museum, he saw an ancient book called "The Records of the Ryukyu Mission" and emphasized that this book proves that the Diaoyu Islands have not belonged to the Ryukyus since ancient times.
Ma Ying-jeou's remarks represent a rare and clear stand of the Kuomintang in Taiwan on the Diaoyu Islands issue, but they have also aroused the dissatisfaction of some people in the party, especially party chairman Zhu Lilun, who seems to have become the target of public criticism.
Ma Ying-jeou: Ancient books prove that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China
During Ma Ying-jeou's visit to the mainland, the issue of sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands became one of the focal points of his remarks. Especially when visiting the Xi'an National Editions Museum, a Ming Dynasty ancient book "Ryukyu Lu" made him full of interest.
The former leader of the Taiwan region introduced to those present that he had studied this precious historical book as early as when he was a student at Oxford University, and it was simply a treasure for studying the history of the Diaoyu Islands!
Ma Ying-jeou gushed about the origin and content of "The Ryukyu Record". It turns out that this book was first written in the thirteenth year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty, that is, in 1534 AD, and it is the earliest known document mentioning the Diaoyu Islands.
The book clearly states that at that time, the Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands were under the jurisdiction of China's Fujian Province, not the Ryukyus. Ma Ying-jeou said excitedly that this historical fact is of great significance to our defense of sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao, and he hoped that everyone would attach importance to the study and use of these ancient books.
In fact, Ma Ying-jeou has been concerned about the Diaoyu Islands issue for a long time. As early as when he was the leader of the Taiwan region, he repeatedly expounded on the sovereignty of Diaoyu Dao from a historical perspective.
For example, he pointed out that after the end of World War II, the Diaoyu Islands were returned to China along with Taiwan, which was also confirmed in the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty. Now, after many years, Ma Ying-jeou has once again read these ancient books, which has strengthened his determination to defend the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands.
At the Xi'an National Editions Pavilion, Ma Ying-jeou introduced the relevant records in the "Records of the Ryukyu Mission" like a treasure. He said that the book described in detail the itinerary of the Chinese officials at the time to the Ryukyus, which repeatedly mentioned the Diaoyu Islands, Huangwei Yu and Chiwei Yu.
When the envoys passed through these islands, they visited the islands as governors and did not regard them as foreign territories. On the contrary, the Ryukyu State at that time did not have any jurisdiction over or development of these islands, indicating that the Diaoyu Islands were never the territory of the Ryukyus.
Ma Ying-jeou also specifically mentioned that the "Records of the Ryukyu Mission" was written by Xia Ziyang, a famous scholar and diplomat of the Ming Dynasty. Xia Ziyang has made two missions to the Ryukyus, and has conducted in-depth research on relevant historical and geographical knowledge, and his records should be true.
In addition, in the archival documents of the Ming and Qing dynasties on the Ryukyu Mission, it is repeatedly mentioned that the Diaoyu Islands belong to the Chinese territory, which corroborates with the records of the "Records of the Ryukyu Mission". These historical materials are of irreplaceable value for us to defend our sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao today.
The audience was deeply attracted by Ma Ying-jeou's explanation and burst into warm applause from time to time. They said that through Ma Ying-jeou's briefing, they have gained a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the Diaoyu Dao issue and have strengthened their determination to defend the territorial integrity of the motherland.
A young student said excitedly: "Mr. Ma has given us a vivid lesson in patriotic education, and we must inherit the patriotic spirit of the older generation and resolutely safeguard the sovereignty of Diaoyu Dao!"
After the visit, Ma Ying-jeou was still unsatisfied. He said that he felt very honored and excited to have the opportunity to appreciate so many precious ancient books during his visit to the mainland. These ancient books are not only materials for studying history, but also a magic weapon for us to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity today.
The Kuomintang rarely expressed its support, and cross-strait relations are now turning around?
You must know that the Kuomintang has always been rather vague on issues related to sovereignty, especially on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, and has always been cautious and unwilling to express its stance too clearly.
After all, the Diaoyu Islands issue is a very important issue, involving Sino-Japanese relations, and even the United States, and the Kuomintang is worried that it will cause trouble if it makes an improper statement.
However, in recent years, as cross-strait relations have continued to deteriorate and the DPP authorities have frequently provoked them, many people in the KMT have felt anxious and uneasy.
They believe that in the face of the DPP's "relying on the United States to resist China," the KMT cannot always hide from the sidelines, but must come up with its own cross-strait policy and stand on its own and display the demeanor of a responsible party. As a result, the call for improving cross-strait relations has become increasingly loud within the Kuomintang.
As a matter of fact, the Kuomintang has taken action on cross-strait issues in recent years. For example, the Kuomintang has sent delegations to visit the mainland on many occasions to exchange views with the mainland side on such issues as jointly cracking down on crime and protecting the rights and interests of the Taiwan people, and has achieved some results. This shows that the Kuomintang intends to play a more active role in cross-strait relations and resolve the antagonism and contradictions between the two sides of the strait.
Today, Ma Ying-jeou's public support for the Diaoyu Islands on the mainland is undoubtedly an important signal that the KMT has changed its cross-strait policy. Although he has stepped down, he still has high prestige and influence in the party.
His remarks represent a powerful voice within the Kuomintang, that is, it is necessary to adopt a more pragmatic stance on cross-strait issues and promote the improvement of cross-strait relations.
In this regard, many analysts have given positive comments. They believe that Ma Ying-jeou's remarks will help ease cross-strait tension and create favorable conditions for the resumption of cross-strait dialogue and the improvement of relations.
A veteran expert on the Taiwan Strait issue pointed out that Ma Ying-jeou's remarks conveyed the goodwill of the KMT in seeking peace and demonstrated the KMT's responsibility as an opposition party. This is of great significance for resolving the cross-strait deadlock and promoting the development of cross-strait relations.
Even mainland officials have given positive comments to Ma Ying-jeou's remarks. At a regular press conference, the spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council praised Ma Ying-jeou for defending the core interests of the Chinese nation and expressed his affirmation of Ma Ying-jeou's visit. The spokesman stressed: Taiwan compatriots are all Chinese, and both sides of the strait belong to one China, and this is an unchangeable historical and legal fact.
Safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the common responsibility of all Chinese. The statement of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council shows the mainland's support for Ma Ying-jeou's remarks.
Of course, Ma Ying-jeou's statement has also caused some controversy on the island of Taiwan. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has bombarded Ma Ying-jeou for "betraying Taiwan's interests," and some "Taiwan independence" elements have even attacked Ma Ying-jeou en masse, calling him a "traitor to Taiwan." In the field of public opinion on the island, there was no distinction between right and wrong for a while, and saliva was flying.
However, more rational voices believe that at a time when cross-strait relations are at an impasse, the Kuomintang should have the courage to assume its responsibilities and contribute its own strength to the improvement of cross-strait relations.
Ma Ying-jeou's statement is a manifestation of the KMT's fulfillment of this responsibility. If the Kuomintang can form a more pragmatic and rational consensus on cross-strait issues and push cross-strait relations back on the right track, it will undoubtedly be beneficial to Taiwan's long-term development.
Zhu Lilun is in a dilemma, and there is much resistance to reform within the party
Ma Ying-jeou's public support for the Diaoyu Islands as belonging to China during his visit to the mainland caused quite a stir within the KMT. As the chairman of the party, Zhu Lilun seems to have become the target of public criticism, and he is in an embarrassing dilemma.
Some politicians with dark green colors launched a fierce attack on Zhu Lilun, accusing him of "betraying Taiwan" and acquiescing in Ma Ying-jeou's "turning to the mainland."
These people believe that Ma Ying-jeou's remarks have seriously deviated from Taiwan's interests, and that Zhu Lilun, as party chairman, has not stopped it in time, but has allowed it to go unchecked, and it is difficult to shirk the blame.
As a matter of fact, since Zhu Lilun was elected chairman of the Kuomintang at the end of last year, he has vigorously advocated adopting a relatively moderate line on cross-strait issues. Zhu Lilun advocated resuming cross-strait dialogue on the basis of the "consensus of '92" and resolving the increasingly intensified antagonism and contradictions between the two sides of the strait.
In his view, the improvement of cross-strait relations is in the interests of the Taiwan people and is also the only way for the Kuomintang to return to power. In particular, some forces with "Taiwan independence" as their proposition launched a fierce attack on Zhu Lilun, accusing him of being "pro-China and selling Taiwan" on the cross-strait issue.
In the face of the counterattack of the "Taiwan independence" forces within the party, Zhu Lilun did not flinch. Recently, he proposed a large-scale reform of the party's organizational structure, including the abolition of certain departments in charge of cross-strait affairs.
In Zhu Lilun's view, these departments have become "stumbling blocks" that hinder the development of cross-strait relations, and their abolition is conducive to straightening out the differences in the party's line on the cross-strait issue.
However, the move sparked even more controversy within the party. Some veteran party members bluntly accused Zhu Lilun of compromising with the "Taiwan independence" forces and deviating from the traditional stance of the Kuomintang.
There have been differences within the Kuomintang over the cross-strait line for a long time. For a long time, there have always been forces within the party that advocate "Taiwan independence," and they refuse to recognize the one-China principle and advocate "Taiwan independence."
In contrast, although the forces advocating improving cross-strait relations and promoting cross-strait peaceful development occupy the mainstream, they are not the only ones within the party. Whenever there are twists and turns in cross-strait relations, the struggle over the line within the party will surface, causing trouble to the development of the Kuomintang.
Now, Ma Ying-jeou's public support for the Diaoyu Islands on the mainland as belonging to China has undoubtedly given a "booster" to the Kuomintang leadership, which is in the critical period of cross-strait policy adjustment.
This shows that within the KMT, the call for improving cross-strait relations is still strong. For Zhu Lilun, who is in the critical period of cross-strait policy adjustment, Ma Ying-jeou's remarks are undoubtedly good news, which will help promote the formation of a more pragmatic and rational consensus within the party on cross-strait issues.
However, the KMT still faces many challenges in achieving this goal. The "Taiwan independence" forces that have existed within the party for a long time have not died down, and they are still erecting obstacles to the improvement of cross-strait relations through various means.
In the face of internal and external troubles, Zhu Lilun may still have a difficult road to go if he wants to unify the party and promote substantive progress in cross-strait relations.
Looking to the future, it remains to be seen whether the KMT can form a more pragmatic and rational consensus on cross-strait issues and bring cross-strait relations back on the right track. What is certain, however, is that Ma Ying-jeou's remarks have undoubtedly injected a trace of warmth into cross-strait relations and made people look forward to future developments.
epilogue
Standing at a turning point in history, Ma Ying-jeou has pointed out a bright path for cross-strait relations with practical actions, and his remarks have cheered for our righteous side and demonstrated to the international community China's firm stand in defending territorial sovereignty. I believe that with the joint efforts of compatriots on both sides of the strait, including Ma Ying-jeou, Diaoyu Dao will certainly be able to officially return to the embrace of the motherland at an early date!