Regarding cross-strait relations, President Ma said that since taking office in 2008 he has consistently sought, under the framework of the ROC Constitution and in line with the 1992 Consensus—whereby each side acknowledges the existence of "one China" but maintains its own interpretation of what that means—to maintain the status quo of "no unification, no independence, and no use of force" in the Taiwan Strait, and to seek peaceful cross-strait relations. The two sides have now signed 23 agreements, and the ministers in charge of cross-strait affairs from each side have met seven times, addressing each other using their official titles. And on November 7 last year, said the president, he met with mainland Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) in Singapore, where the two sides reached a consensus on the need to "consolidate peace in the Taiwan Strait and maintain the status quo in cross-strait relations."
The president stated his belief that the continued development of cross-strait relations towards peace has also triggered considerable progress in Taiwan's relations with the United States, Japan, the EU, ASEAN, New Zealand, and Australia. Even though Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with only 22 nations, the number of countries and areas that provide ROC nationals with visa-free entry or landing visa courtesies now stands at 161, three times the 54 countries providing such courtesies before President Ma took office. This development shows that the international community views Taiwan in an increasingly positive light.
【Source: Office of the President】