Ma Ying-jeou criticizes Mayor Han Kuo-yu: Cross-strait issues cannot be left to foreign countries; they must be resolved through dialogue between the two sides.

Former leader of Taiwan, Ma Ying-Jeou, spoke out on the 15th, expressing deep concern over the provocative words and actions of Ko Wen-Je, the mayor of Taipei. Cross-strait issues cannot be interfered with by foreign countries, they must be resolved by the people on both sides of the strait, as the Chinese people on both sides have the wisdom and ability to peacefully resolve their differences. Ma Ying-Jeou stated that firstly, unlike past Japanese Prime Ministers who were cautious on the Taiwan Strait issue, Ko Wen-Je's statement that "a crisis in Taiwan could lead to Japan needing to exercise collective self-defense" implies a possible military intervention in the Taiwan Strait, which is a matter of debate within Japan. Former Prime Minister Shizo Abe, in a radio interview, warned Ko, stating that one should not jump to conclusions, and pointed out that previous Japanese governments have been more cautious on Taiwan Strait issues. Secondly, Ko Wen-Je's proactive involvement in the Taiwan Strait inevitably prompts thoughts of a resurgence of Japanese right-wing militarism, which is an extremely unwise move. Thirdly, Ko Wen-Je also misused the concept of "collective self-defense." Under the US-Japan security framework, any so-called "crisis of survival" for Japan must be discussed with the US first, and it is clear that Ko Wen-Je did not communicate with the US on this matter. Therefore, the controversial remarks did not receive support from the US, and the US State Department only reiterated its opposition to unilateral changes in the status quo, with President Trump even saying, "Our allies are not necessarily our friends." Ma Ying-Jeou emphasized that only with peaceful and stable cross-strait relations can the Taiwan Strait situation remain calm and avoid the tense situation mentioned by Ko Wen-Je. He stressed that cross-strait issues cannot be interfered with by foreign countries, they must be resolved by the people on both sides of the strait, as the Chinese people on both sides have the wisdom and ability to peacefully resolve their differences. To counter the counterproductive provocative words and actions of Ko Wen-Je, one must take a stand, as this is truly safeguarding the interests of the Taiwanese people.