Taiwan's Ma Ying-Jeou Begins Second Presidential Term

Taiwan’s incumbent Ma Ying-jeou began his second presidential term on Sunday May 20th. It comes amid falling approval ratings sparked by unpopular domestic and cross-strait policies.

During the swearing-in ceremony in Taipei, Ma reiterated his government’s policy on cross-strait relations. He affirmed unification with Beijing’s communist regime would not take place under his government.

[Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan President]:
"Our cross-strait policy must maintain the status quo of 'no unification, no independence and no use of force,' and promote peaceful cross-strait development on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, whereby each side acknowledges the existence of 'one China,' but maintains its own interpretation of what that means. When we speak of 'one China,' naturally it is the Republic of China."

The Republic of China is Taiwan’s official name. Chiang Kai-shek and his Kuomintang Party in Mainland China established that government and was later forced to retreat to Taiwan after a civil war with the Chinese Communist Party.

After taking office in 2008, Ma actively improved trade and cultural ties with China, in a bid to pull his country out of an economic slump.  His government signed a landmark trade agreement with Beijing in 2010 to lower tariffs and other trade barriers. Cross-strait travel restrictions have also eased. These policies angered critics who fear Ma could be compromising Taiwan’s sovereign interests.

This anger spilled out on the streets of Taipei during Ma’s inauguration on Sunday. Protestors denounced Ma’s China friendly strategy as well as domestic policies that have proven to be unpopular.

Inside the Presidential Palace, Ma acknowledged his falling approval rating.

[Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan President]:
“I do feel unease, and a sense of debt to the people. I can say that I haven’t been able to truly meet the public’s expectation, and yesterday I sincerely expressed by apology.”

Ma Ying-jeou won his second term in January by a comfortable 6% margin. But     high unemployment and slow wage increases in Taiwan have dogged his approval rating, with one poll putting it as low as 15%.