Ma Ying-jeou

Ma Ying-jeou is a Taiwanese politician who served as the President of the Republic of China from 2008 to 2016, and as the Chairman of the Kuomintang from 2005 to 2007 and again from 2009 to 2014. He was a member of the Legislative Yuan from 1992 to 1996 and the Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006, prior to his presidency. Ma Ying-jeou's presidency was marked by significant events, including the 2008 Taiwan earthquake, the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition, and the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement. He was succeeded by Tsai Ing-wen as President of the Republic of China.

● Early Life and Education

Ma Ying-jeou was born in Yonghe District, New Taipei, to a family of Hakka people and Fujianese people descent. He attended Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School and later studied at National Taiwan University, where he earned a degree in Law. Ma Ying-jeou then pursued further education at New York University School of Law, earning a Master of Laws degree, and later at Harvard Law School, where he earned a Doctor of Juridical Science degree. His academic background is similar to that of other notable Taiwanese politicians, such as Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian, who also studied at National Taiwan University and Harvard University.

● Political Career

Ma Ying-jeou's entry into politics began in 1981, when he joined the Kuomintang and became a close aide to Chiang Ching-kuo, the then-President of the Republic of China. He later served as the Minister of Justice from 1993 to 1996, during the presidency of Lee Teng-hui. Ma Ying-jeou's experience in the Legislative Yuan and as Mayor of Taipei helped him build a strong foundation for his future presidential campaigns, which were supported by prominent figures such as Lien Chan and James Soong. His political career has been influenced by events such as the 1996 Taiwanese presidential election and the 2000 Taiwanese presidential election, which saw the rise of Chen Shui-bian and the Democratic Progressive Party.

● Presidency

Ma Ying-jeou's presidency was marked by efforts to improve relations with the People's Republic of China, including the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement in 2010. He also oversaw the implementation of various domestic policies, such as the National Health Insurance program and the Taiwan High Speed Rail project. During his presidency, Ma Ying-jeou met with international leaders, including Hu Jintao, Barack Obama, and Shinzo Abe, to discuss issues such as Cross-Strait relations and regional security. His administration also responded to natural disasters, such as the 2009 Taiwan flood and the 2013 Taiwan power outage.

● Cross-Strait Relations

Ma Ying-jeou's presidency saw significant developments in Cross-Strait relations, including the establishment of direct flights between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China in 2008. He also oversaw the signing of several agreements, including the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and the Cross-Strait Investment Protection Agreement. Ma Ying-jeou's approach to Cross-Strait relations was influenced by the 1992 Consensus and the One Country, Two Systems framework, which has been supported by leaders such as Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin. However, his policies have been criticized by some, including Tsai Ing-wen and the Democratic Progressive Party, who have advocated for a more cautious approach to relations with the People's Republic of China.

● Post-Presidency

After leaving office in 2016, Ma Ying-jeou has remained active in Taiwanese politics, serving as the Honorary Chairman of the Kuomintang and participating in various international events, such as the Boao Forum for Asia and the Shangri-La Dialogue. He has also written several books, including Ma Ying-jeou's memoirs, which provide insight into his presidency and his views on Cross-Strait relations. Ma Ying-jeou's legacy continues to be debated, with some, such as Lien Chan and Wu Po-hsiung, praising his efforts to improve relations with the People's Republic of China, while others, such as Chen Shui-bian and Tsai Ing-wen, have criticized his policies as being too conciliatory. His post-presidency has been marked by events such as the 2016 Taiwanese presidential election and the 2020 Taiwanese presidential election, which have seen the rise of new leaders and the continued evolution of Taiwanese politics.