Ma Ying-jeou
Who was Ma Ying-jeou?
Ma Ying-jeou served as Taiwan's President from 2008-2016, notable for improving cross-strait relations with mainland China through increased trade and direct flights. He was previously mayor of Taipei and is known for his efforts to reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ma Ying-jeou (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ma Ying-jeou (Chinese: 馬英九; born 13 July 1950) is a Taiwanese politician, lawyer, and legal scholar who was the sixth president of the Republic of China from 2008 to 2016. He was born in Kwong Wah Hospital in British Hong Kong to a well-known waishengren family. Ma grew up in Taiwan and studied at the Affiliated Experimental Elementary School of the University of Taipei, Daan Junior High School, and Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School. He graduated with an undergraduate degree from National Taiwan University in 1972, after serving in the Republic of China Marine Corps, reaching the rank of lieutenant. He then studied in the United States, earning a master's degree in international law from New York University School of Law in 1976 and a doctorate in international law from Harvard Law School in 1981. He also attended the Taipei Language Institute.
Ma began his political career as an English interpreter and bureau director for President Chiang Ching-kuo, working closely with Taiwan's government during an important time in the island's growth. From 1988 to 1993, he led the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, becoming the youngest cabinet member in the Republic of China at age 38. He then served as Minister of Justice from 1993 to 1996, focusing on anti-corruption and anti-drug efforts. In 1998, as a Kuomintang (KMT) candidate, he defeated incumbent Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party and served as mayor until 2006. While mayor, he was elected KMT chairman in 2005.
In 2008, Ma won the presidential election by a large margin over DPP candidate Frank Hsieh. His presidency saw improved relations with mainland China. He started cross-strait summits from 2008 to 2015, established direct flights between Taiwan and the mainland, and signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with the People's Republic of China in 2010. He married Christine Chow Ma, and they were publicly active throughout his political career. He received many international accolades during and after his presidency, including the Order of the Quetzal, the Order of Francisco Morazán, the National Order of Burkina Faso, the Order of Belize, the Star of the Solomon Islands, and the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero.
Ma was reelected in 2012, beating Tsai Ing-wen, but faced challenges during his second term. In September 2013, a power struggle within the party and the widespread Sunflower Student Movement protests against his trade policies with China in 2014 hurt the KMT’s position. After significant losses in the 2014 local elections, Ma stepped down as KMT chairman. He finished his presidential term in 2016 and was succeeded by Tsai Ing-wen. In the following years, Ma continued to be an influential voice on cross-strait issues, advocating for dialogue between Taipei and Beijing.
Before Fame
Ma Ying-jeou was born in 1950 in British Hong Kong at Kwong Wah Hospital. His family had moved from mainland China after the Chinese Civil War. This background affected his political views and his approach to relations between Taiwan and China. The family later settled in Taiwan, where he went to primary and secondary schools in Taipei. He was eventually admitted to National Taiwan University, the island's top institution.
After graduating in 1972, Ma served as a Marine Corps lieutenant. He then went to the United States for graduate legal studies at prestigious institutions, improving his language skills at the Taipei Language Institute. He earned advanced degrees from New York University and Harvard. His English fluency and knowledge of international law made him a strong candidate for government roles. His work as an interpreter and aide to President Chiang Ching-kuo kicked off a political career that would last four decades.
Key Achievements
- Served as the sixth President of the Republic of China from 2008 to 2016, winning election by a landslide margin and securing reelection in 2012.
- Signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with the People's Republic of China in 2010, the most significant cross-strait trade agreement in decades.
- Served as Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006, defeating incumbent Chen Shui-bian in what was a major political upset.
- Became the youngest cabinet member in the Republic of China at age 38 and later led the Ministry of Justice in high-profile anti-corruption campaigns.
- Initiated a sustained series of cross-strait summits from 2008 to 2015, establishing direct flights and expanded economic ties between Taiwan and mainland China.
Did You Know?
- 01.Ma Ying-jeou became the Republic of China's youngest cabinet member at age 38 when he was appointed chair of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission in 1988.
- 02.Before entering electoral politics, Ma served as an English interpreter for President Chiang Ching-kuo, giving him direct access to Taiwan's top leadership at a young age.
- 03.Ma's 2008 presidential election victory over DPP candidate Frank Hsieh was one of the largest electoral margins in the history of Taiwanese presidential elections.
- 04.He received international orders of merit from six different nations across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, reflecting Taiwan's diplomatic relationships with its formal allies.
- 05.Ma holds a doctorate in international law from Harvard University, earned in 1981, making him one of the most academically credentialed leaders in the Republic of China's history.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of the Quetzal | — | — |
| Order of Francisco Morazán | — | — |
| National Order of Burkina Faso | — | — |
| Order of Belize | — | — |
| Star of the Solomon Islands | — | — |
| Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero | — | — |