Ma Ying-jeou pledges against 'Taiwan independence'

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou on Monday said that he will not promote "Two Chinas," "one China, one Taiwan" or "Taiwan independence," inside or outside the island. Ma, also chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party, made the comments during a speech at a KMT meeting. He said the relationship between Taiwan and the mainland is not a state-to-state one but a special relationship in many aspects. In his speech, Ma reviewed the KMT's efforts over the last five years since the party returned to power. He described them as "beneficial and tangible for the public in Taiwan." Measures had "greatly enhanced cross-Strait ties and created peace and prosperity." Thanks to such measures, cross-Strait relations are now in the most peaceful and stable condition than what they have been in the past 64 years, Ma said. He also called for support to get the cross-Strait service trade agreement approved at the island's legislative authority at the earliest date, saying that this will help Taiwan "move on and remain competitive in the global market."