VIABLE VERSUS AGGRESSIVE:Instead of focusing only on China, the DPP aspires to engage both official and non-official allies to pursue mutual benefits, Tsai Ing-wen said

Taipei Times
Date: , Dec 30, 2015
By: Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday lashed out at Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) for challenging his “diplomatic truce” policy, saying whoever opposed it has clearly forgotten the lessons of history.

The diplomatic truce, also known as “viable diplomacy,” is a policy proposed by Ma in August 2008 during his first year in office. It calls for a halt to China’s and Taiwan’s attempts to woo each other’s allies.

“Recently, some people have spoken against my viable diplomacy policy and intend to reinstate [former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁)] scorched-earth diplomacy,” Ma said during a speech at a ceremony to mark the promotion of military officers at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei yesterday morning.

Ma said that these individuals have apparently left behind the lessons of history and made such a misjudgement due to a complete lack of regard for international reality.     [FULL  STORY]