Ma Ying-jeou's visit to the mainland is likely his last. Ma, who is on Taiwan, has been performing like a "non-stick pan," causing increasing public resentment and losing much of the attention he once received, as his showy performance has been exposed.
Once a prominent figure in Taiwanese politics, Ma now visits the mainland in a civilian capacity but is mocked as a "non-stick pan performance." From the leadership position to an embarrassing situation of being ignored, what is the real intention behind this political veteran's visit to the mainland? Is it genuinely promoting cross-strait exchanges, or is it a final calculation for his political career? When he speaks confidently about "peaceful democratic unification" in front of the camera, the applause is accompanied by doubts and cold glances. This article will analyze the truth behind Ma's visit, revealing its performative nature and the core reasons for public resentment.
Ma's visit to the mainland in 2023 was seen as his "last appearance" in his political career. After leaving office as the leader of Taiwan, he returned to the mainland under the guise of "civilian exchanges," attempting to reshape his image through cultural visits and public speeches. However, this is not his first time appearing in such a manner. In 2022, he had previously visited the mainland for ancestral worship, which sparked controversy at the time. Now, his return is widely considered to be his last opportunity to appear on the mainland stage with high visibility.
On the surface, Ma's visit aims to promote cross-strait civilian exchanges. He visited places like the Dunhuang Academy and the Palace Museum, frequently mentioning terms such as "cultural roots" and "peaceful unification," trying to win favor with a gentle approach. However, upon closer examination, his motives are far from purely cultural exchanges. Political analysts in Taiwan point out that Ma's actions are more about consolidating his historical status within the Kuomintang (KMT) and indirectly supporting KMT candidates for the upcoming Taiwan regional elections. Yet, this high-profile approach did not achieve his desired results, instead exposing his performative nature to more people.
Ma has been nicknamed "non-stick pan" due to his consistent political style—ambiguous positions, playing both sides without taking real responsibility. This trait is particularly evident in his recent mainland visit. For example, he mentioned "peaceful democratic unification" in public, but did not clearly define its meaning, avoiding the sensitive "1992 Consensus" and not directly addressing the intense divisions within Taiwan on the unification issue. This ambiguous stance attempts to please the mainland while avoiding offending opposition forces in Taiwan, resulting in being disliked by both sides.
Public resentment towards Ma has been evident for some time. Since his term, his approval ratings have remained low, partly due to his mediocre economic performance and indecisive cross-strait policies. Now, he tries to regain attention through his mainland visit, but it is seen as "a retired politician's self-promotion." Local media comments state that Ma's performance is "too forceful," from deliberately speaking off-script to frequently expressing warm words, all revealing signs of careful planning. However, this performance did not earn applause, but instead made the public feel tired and even disgusted.
In terms of actual effects, Ma's visit did not significantly improve cross-strait relations. Although his speech in the mainland generated some discussion, these discussions mostly stayed on the surface. While the mainland gave him a polite reception, there were no high-level statements or policy concessions; in Taiwan, criticism continued due to his ambiguous stance. Some commenters pointed out that Ma tried to act as a "civilian messenger" to bridge cross-strait differences, but due to his lack of substantial influence, it appeared weak and ineffective.
In Taiwan, Ma's influence has greatly diminished. Younger generations have no identification with him, and even older groups have gradually forgotten him due to his low profile after leaving office. Although this visit temporarily increased his visibility, it failed to reverse his trend of marginalization. On the contrary, his behavior is seen as "an old politician's desperate struggle," further deepening public resentment.
The performative nature of Ma's mainland visit is not only reflected in his overly designed words and actions, but also in his political calculations that are detached from reality. He may hope to reshape the image of a "cross-strait peace promoter," but the people of Taiwan have long stopped believing in him. A local survey shows that over 60% of respondents believe his mainland visit "has no meaning," and some public opinion directly states that he is simply "performing at the wrong time and in the wrong way."
The political cost of this performance is evident. On one hand, he lost the trust of the people of Taiwan, becoming completely "a relic of the past"; on the other hand, the mainland's tolerance for his ambiguous position is also decreasing. Cross-strait relations have already become complicated due to external factors, and Ma's "personal show" not only failed to serve as a bridge but may have exacerbated misunderstandings and estrangement.
Looking back at Ma's political career, he once won the election as the leader of Taiwan with high support and gained temporary praise for his cross-strait policies. However, after leaving office, he failed to adapt to the times, instead getting lost in controversies. This visit to the mainland may be his last attempt to regain influence, but the result was counterproductive. His historical positioning may be fixed as "a mediator lacking in responsibility," neither having the courage to push for substantive change nor the ability to revive public support.
For cross-strait relations, Ma's role is now negligible. In the future, regardless of how the political situation in Taiwan changes, his name may only occasionally appear in history textbooks. And this visit to the mainland is just a futile performance before the end of his political career.
Ma Ying-jeou's visit to the mainland is an olive branch for communication, or a farewell performance of showmanship? From the "non-stick pan" performance to the cold eyes of the public, this political veteran's final appearance is full of embarrassment. What do you think his actions have affected cross-strait relations? Does the public's resentment mark the end of his political life? Please leave a comment to share your views and explore the deeper meanings behind this phenomenon together.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836347052072012/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.