Talk to Al Jazeera - Ma Ying-jeou: 'One country, one system'

The President of Taiwan, Ma Ying-jeou, rarely speaks to the international media. But in an exclusive interview he talks to Al Jazeera's Steve Chao about where the island is going, protests against the controversial trade agreement with China, and how he thinks the rest of the world should respond to China's rise.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this interview incorrectly translated President Ma Ying-jeou as saying Taiwan is the only place in China practicing democracy. In fact, he said "Taiwan is the only place in ethnic Chinese societies where we are able to practice democracy". This version of the interview contains the correct translation.
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[@redcar9949]

Can we just respect how good President Ma's English is?

[@molihua354]

10:18 Ma Ying-Jeou says 一九四九年, meaning 1949, not 1945 as Al Jazeera incorrectly states.

[@raymondhsu6407]

At 18:24 the caption should say “and the ROC.” It is about the ROC’s actions in response to the PRC’s actions, and having it read “and China” looks reflexive and therefore confusing. Similar comment applies at 22:12. Caption says “China,” but is actually referring to ROC/Taiwan.

[@molihua354]

22:18 President Ma speaks of ROC-American military relations. He says 中華民國, which translates to "Republic of China" or Taiwan, Al Jazeera simply says "China."

[@josephwallis8965]

An open, vibrant, transparent debate, dialogue, discussion, analysis of internation & geopolitical crisis, events, dispute promotes freedom, democracy, human rights & peace. Thank you for the wonderful video made.

[@TheKingsmann]

I like this President. He has an externsive political strategy. He has a focus.

[@jasminechen5212]

A focus that is failing and widely unpopular

[@TheKingsmann]

+Jasmine Chen Hitler had a focus and it was popular. What is the credit of popularity in that case?. I will take a pause for a minute ... I think presidency is not a free choice but a responsibility that needs integrity and honesty. Ma Ying-jeou with all due respect President Ma Ying-jeou have both.  At the end of the day He is not a celebrity but a President with integrity and honesty. This will resonate in the future and will depend on how the free choice of the Taiwanese people lead after his Presidency.

[@huidezhu7566]

+Jasmine Chen So？

[@alynn5066]

Mr. Ma is an accomplished and great president.

[@jasminechen5212]

Um, I beg to differ. Just look at the polls.

[@TheKingsmann]

+A Lynn I agree with you but also with Integrity and honesty. He is a trustworthy president I have even seen.

[@huidezhu7566]

+Jasmine Chen Look at Hitler's polls, you guys are just waiting for a Hitler to come out and declare independence right?

[@林明福-h8h]

Agree

[@alynn5066]

+Jasmine Chen -- only polls you differ, only polls you are focused. I think you need to look at it from various perspectives.

[@vitalybelyakov1251]

graceful man

[@shua101010121]

He means that Taiwan is a part of the Republic of China.

[@TrustRyan]

陳冠宇 The Republic of China is the *only* legitimate government of the whole China!

[@alanackart2588]

A Proud Chinese Who Loves China But Hates The Chinese Communist Party! #OperationTakeDownCCP I can not agree with you more.

[@zhuxili6878]

A Proud Chinese Who Loves China But Hates The Chinese Communist Party (PLEASE READ MY G+ PROFILE!) 〈 你是什么东西，简直一派胡言，小儿之见！！！

[@Advtaiwan]

Long live the Republic of China. The legitimate China long live taiwan. America never give up on taiwan and fight for it too. I am an American in taiwan so! Do not abandon us. Look how miserable Hong Kong is under the one party two systems!!

[@huidezhu7566]

+Nick Sanfilippo Why you gotta depend on America? Can't you stand up for yourself? You guys had the help of America during the civil war and still lost, America lost all hope in ROC then. The USA does not even acknowledge ROC as a nation any more.... The PRC had no one's help and became the world's second largest economy, that's far far far better than the ROC ever has done. Taiwan today is just a pawn of the global forces, aside from that, its totally eclipsed by the PRC, deal with it

[@connorchernchinchun7048]

+Pak Huide You are sorely mistaken. Recognition of China shifted from ROC to PRC during 1979. Because of cheap/cheat labor in the PRC, foreign direct investment was directed towards PRC. On the other hand, ROC, with no recognition of the majority of countries in the UN and along with Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea became the Asian Four Tigers. So who did better? PRC or ROC?

[@Mrpastry909]

我也是在台灣的美國人。你還在台灣嗎？

[@bensonfang1868]

wait what happened to his english interviews?

[@ronaldjasonramos9534]

Yes Pres Ma

[@15908150503able]

Taiwan's future- Be part of the democratic China Mainland China's future- Become a democratic state with an open economy One state solution for Israel and Palestine, one state solution for West and East Germanies, one state solution for the two Koreas, ultimately China and Taiwan will need one state solution.

[@EldersTree]

Long Live Pakistan China Brothers

[@weldon29]

The Taiwanese will miss him when the new DPP leadership takes power

[@林明福-h8h]

yees

[@weldon29]

Adam On the road She's already starting to back track from most of her previous positions, and this is before she evens become president. say what you want about the KMT, but they stick to their principles.

[@adamontheroad7658]

+Jyunkai What principles?

[@0x0x00]

Ma was not a popular leader! Taiwan voting result expressed the fact.

[@weldon29]

"If Japan and S. Korea didn't have to depend on China for economy" HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

[@freenational]

AJ's correspondent is a US stooge. Keeps painting PRC as a boogeyman for Taiwan and the US is the knight in a shining armor that will protect Taiwan. The Pesident's plan is pragmatic and wise. Contain the threat through engagement rather than contention.

[@happyplace2live]

The English translation is not very correct to the original meaning. He call it China mainland, not China because Taiwan's real name is "Republic of China"-a democratic country and the China mainland is "People Republic of China " , a communist government.

[@yamahaU3]

很儒雅.

[@oliver_tw]

And Taiwan should not bind its economy too tight to China.

[@huidezhu7566]

+Ching-Chun Chou Taiwan doesn't even have an economy compared to China...........

[@oliver_tw]

Pak Huide So? China even does not have human rights compared to the rest of the world.

[@huidezhu7566]

Ching-Chun Chou Define rest of the world. Are you including most of central Africa, North Korea, Central Asia, the Middle East, some countries in South East Asia and some countries in Latin America? Or does the world just mean Europe and America for you? Even so, do you even know the situation in Eastern Europe? How about how America tortures its prisoners, the racial attacks, Trump's view on Mexicans and Muslims, the spying the U.S government does, the war crimes of U.S troops deployed everywhere? Also, for future reference, if you are gonna make an argument, it's best you provide evidence. For example, if you say "the rest of the world", you'd better have the data/evidence to back it up. When I say, Taiwan's economy is small compared to China, I am stating a fact. But when you claim that China has the worst human rights record in the world,, you are just making a mindless claim. And I know for a fact that you are objectively wrong.

[@martintan4982]

It's bind whether you like it or not,if you know history you know they are.

[@ngai1842]

Taiwan

[@yangdai9101]

Thank you for using "place" instead of "country"

[@jackjackson333]

@@yangdai9101 Taiwanese is not Chinese! It's a combination of Americans and Japanese!

[@yangdai9101]

@@jackjackson333 lol, not sure if troll or just plain ignorant. What's the official name of Taiwan? Republic of Taiwan?

[@jackjackson333]

@@yangdai9101 United States of America!!! Taiwan is a part of the US! Proud of being part of Japan as well!

[@yangdai9101]

@@jackjackson333 haha, good one. Everything is made in China, so is Japan and USA. So China should also claim sovereignty on USA and Japan :D

[@Aymiikeeganmelb]

worth a watch while the video stays up lol ...

[@siqhishsqqqshsi6958]

Here is what he got wrong. He thinks China will improve its international image with universal suffrage. But universal suffrage is a norm that was built by the west. Very differently, China, as a rising power, wants to establish a new set of norms instead of getting sucked into the old world orders. I think people always tend to think universal suffrage as the most superior form of election. People tend to think it is right because of the norm that the west tried hard to establish. Every country should have their own system based on their own problems, history, stability and feasibility.

[@siggydj]

Factually wrong. The "west", whatever that may be, doesnt have a monopoly on the concept of universal sufferage. Read your history. Even islamic history has it

[@clement2780]

Hong kong, macau, have their own chinese language. So do provinces of non mandarin speaking chinese people, like cantonese, shanghainese, wenzhou, fuzhou, hokkien, teochiu, gan jianghsi, wunam hunanese xiang. Does steve chao speak mandarin?

[@zhou4168]

Could the journalist understand what Mr. Ma is saying because the journalist sounds to to be a native English speaker

[@xinfengxie4768]

The journalist is a Malaysia born Chinese. He is not only a native English speaker, but also a native Chinese speaker.

[@bensonfang1868]

he's actually chinese canadian, and speaks mandarin as well

[@fairvue1510]

the Chinese across the Taiwan Strait will come together eventually, it's the trend.

[@fairvue1510]

it's the destiny.

[@treeman12815]

@@fairvue1510 only if kmt party wins

[@lynxdunwell701]

KMT for the win from usa

[@inferno0020]

What "difficult situation" does President Ma aka Ma-Ma have? We all know that Ma-Ma has been in bed with Beijing already.

[@oliver_tw]

Please, Taiwan is a beautiful country. Don't let China ruin Taiwan.

[@justiceforchinese9946]

+Oliver Chou Are you a Chinese jew?

[@huidezhu7566]

+Ching-Chun Chou Taiwan is a beautiful ISLAND not a country, the ROC is a country

[@oliver_tw]

Pak Huide ROC is a government, not a country. Taiwan is a country.

[@huidezhu7566]

If what you say is true, than even the government of Taiwan doesn't recognize Taiwan is a country. The ROC thinks the whole of China should be governed by the ROC. So what you say is literally supported by no government in the world, not even Taiwan's

[@epodak]

+Ching-Chun Chou 有句话说的是落后就要挨打，你们台湾应该要奋起直追了呀，落后太多了，国际场合都靠乞讨求生存，太惨了。

[@kakatyap9719]

If he find chinese writer, he will speak chinese

[@joshcooldudeyeah]

Ma Ying-jeou was a gentleman President, as Obama is. As an American Born Taiwanese, it pains me to see the DPP also destroy Ma's legacy -- as the current Trump administration has also been doing to Obama's. :'(

[@lawrencezhu5617]

he's almost success to reunite chinese people, but DPP ruined it. until the taiwan economy low down, and political unstable happens. anytime china ready to help u my friend, we chinese united to fight against japanese and whites, it's our goal. it's our time to rule the world. not by the white invaders. it's the karma of colonization

[@joshcooldudeyeah]

Yes, yes, yes! My family is pan Blue (loyal to the Kuomintang). Even the Communists want to reunite Taiwan peacefully not through threats of war and violence. The CCP will not let the DPP and Tsai Ing-wen go peacefully.

[@גלחליוה-ר1ל]

שלום אדון מה יינג ג'ו האם תוכל לפתוח בישראל בנק דואר וסופרמרקט שעונה לשם הדרקון .

[@iceomistar4302]

Do I agree with this man, no, maybe a decade ago his views might have been sound but in our current political climate Taiwan must prepare for a full scale invasion from the Mainland, as a free Chinese I will always support Taiwan and Hong Kong.

[@swavhimanmahanaveyan3368]

His politics was very wise n in the interest of general peoples life n peace

[@luzsanchez2793]

Good President Ma Ying Jeou.

[@klk5485-r4y]

luz sanchez he’s chinese puppet 👎🏾 what he cannot answer in English 😒😒😒

[@jifa17]

The narrative should be neutral, inside of biased.

[@גלחליוה]

למה כל חודש הרמאדן יוצא חודש הארנבת???? והאם אפשר לסדר עם שמש מה יינג גו שינואר יקרא חודש החולדה...

[@yanghailun]

Democracy in Hongkong is under agenda, by the legislative body propose the candidate. The students are searching absolute one person on vote, which means the mass could propose and vote for the hongkong leader.

[@kakatyap9719]

If he find other writer (except chinese), he will speak english

[@yaoyuanliu810]

without changing mind, man is hopeless no matter who you are! Economic is economic. Political is political. Repent and believe the Gospel.

[@DucaTech]

A more rational and balanced Prez for Taiwan. Centrist and not guns-ho far-left Green Party like the DPP.

[@Hesheli27]

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER AND TRUE PEACE. PUT YOUR TRUST IN HIM AND RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO WILL LIVE IN YOU

[@phamman88]

Why is he speaking Chinese in an English interview when he's fluent in English?

[@richardfung8035]

+Tuan Anh Pham That is because, traditionally, the head of state would speak in his/her native language even if they are fluent in English (when being interviewed by English speaking media), and then their words translated, so there is no room for error. The head of state has to be very careful w/ their wordings, especially the subject matter here is quite sensitive.

[@alynn5066]

+Tuan Anh Pham -- I would like to add to Tuan's comment. Majority of Taiwanese will watch this interview. They may not be fluent in English and need/want to understand Mr. Ma's point of view as the subject matters to them.

[@TheKingsmann]

+Tuan Anh Pham Because Chinese is his first language or call it mother tongue.

[@alynn5066]

In Asia, It is just the way to communicate to have some English words in Chinese conversation. Especailly for someone studying English at school or go overseas to study. Besides, how do you say "Bye Bye" in Chinese, it is "Bye Bye".

[@curiositylee7346]

the host seems hostile to China from the beginning to the end.

[@FormosaLan]

WTF when I thought he was going to be speaking English in this interview.... But no.. Does he not speak English..

[@alynn5066]

+formosa -- He is the president of Taiwan. If it is not absolutely, he should speak in Mandarin. It is the national language in Taiwan.

[@sansinlau5129]

刑事局大馬主任刘少新，国家安定

[@yangdai9101]

how's the Qatari oil money tasting like eh?

[@sinbo73]

时间换取空间。。。多年以后的台湾用什么抗衡大陆？

[@johannsebastienbach]

台湾最大败笔就是跟大陆走的太近经济上依赖大陆 没有必要抗衡自己过好日子就行了

[@feiyin6977]

+johannsebastienbach 他没办法不依赖。从中华民国退出联合国开始基本上就注定了台湾只能跟大陆合作。

[@eijikenji7149]

one country, two system is a good alternative to current dysfunctional taiwan system. ever since taiwan embrace so called "democracy", more people are thinking of migrating to western nation for better future.

[@darrenkuo9885]

Now we know how idiot President Ma was after 5 years later

[@medx1553]

Its Tsai ingwen 1D10T, not ma.

[@martintan4982]

How disrecpectful you are , i pity you , you are a puppet of the west?

[@curiositylee7346]

the host seems hostile to China from the beginning to the end.

[@yamahaU3]

I know right?

[@raymondhsu6407]

Andy S This journalist is not working for an American company. Rather, it is Qatari.