Ma Ying-jeou Wins Presidency Promising Better Cross-Strait Relations

The Kuomintang returned to power on March 22, 2008, as Ma Ying-jeou won a decisive victory with 58.45% of the vote, promising to improve cross-strait relations and revive Taiwan’s economy while maintaining the democratic status quo, ending eight years of DPP rule marked by tensions with Beijing.

Decisive Victory

Election Results

Ma Ying-jeou/Vincent Siew (KMT): 58.45% (7,659,014 votes)
Frank Hsieh/Su Tseng-chang (DPP): 41.55% (5,444,949 votes)
Turnout: 76.33%
Margin: 2.2 million votes

Clear Mandate

Largest margin since 1996
KMT legislative majority
Unified government
Policy change endorsed
Stability prioritized

Campaign Themes

Ma’s Platform

“Three Noes”: No unification, no independence, no use of force
Economic revival through China engagement
“Mutual non-denial” proposal
Status quo maintenance
Pragmatic approach

Hsieh’s Challenge

Defending DPP record difficult
Chen corruption shadow
Economic stagnation blamed
China threat emphasized
Identity politics insufficient

Beijing’s Careful Response

Cautious Optimism

Welcomed “positive changes”
Ready for dialogue
Economic benefits promised
Military threats reduced
Patience emphasized

Strategic Calculation

Ma more “reasonable”
Economic leverage available
Time to rebuild ties
Gradual approach
Long-term absorption

Democratic Transition

Peaceful Transfer

Chen congratulated winner
Smooth transition planned
Institutions functioned
Democracy matured
Second party rotation

Contrast with China

Competitive election
Clear choice offered
Voters decided
Power transferred
Authoritarian impossibility

UN Referendum Results

Both referendums failed:

DPP Version

“Taiwan” UN membership
35.82% turnout
Below 50% threshold
Invalid result

KMT Version

“Flexible” UN return
35.74% turnout
Also invalid
Issue deflated

Economic Factors

Voter Priorities

Growth stagnation
China opportunities
Global financial crisis
Competitiveness concerns
Pragmatism prevailed

Ma’s Promises

6% GDP growth
Direct flights
Chinese tourists
Investment liberalization
Economic integration

Identity Evolution

Not Abandoning Taiwan

Ma born in Hong Kong
Raised in Taiwan
“New Taiwanese” identity
Democracy embraced
Pragmatic positioning

Generational Shift

Beyond Blue-Green divide?
Economic priorities
Status quo preference
Democratic consensus
Future-oriented

International Relief

United States

Welcomed stability
Tensions reduced
Engagement supported
Democracy praised
Strategic balance

Regional Response

Business confidence restored
Stability expected
Economic opportunities
Integration anticipated
Risks reduced

DPP’s Defeat Analysis

Multiple Factors

Chen corruption impact
Economic stagnation
Cross-strait tensions
Voter fatigue
Strategic errors

Soul Searching

Identity politics insufficient
Economic competence needed
Corruption accountability
Pragmatism required
Rebuilding necessary

Ma’s Challenges

Balancing Act

Beijing engagement
Sovereignty protection
Economic benefits
Democratic values
International space

High Expectations

Economic miracle promised
Quick results expected
Beijing cooperation needed
Domestic consensus required
Delivery pressure

Media Coverage

Taiwan’s Democracy

Live election coverage
Instant analysis
Diverse opinions
Transparent process
Democracy celebrated

China’s Caution

Positive but reserved
Wait-and-see attitude
No triumphalism
Gradual approach
Control maintained

Policy Implications

Cross-Strait Relations

Dialogue resumption expected
Economic agreements planned
Military tensions reduced
Tourism opened
Integration deepening

International Space

“Diplomatic truce” proposed
Flexible participation
Confrontation avoided
Pragmatic solutions
Beijing’s response key

Democratic Maturation

The election demonstrated:

System Strength

Second party rotation
Peaceful transition
Clear mandates
Voter sophistication
Democracy consolidated

Policy Flexibility

Pendulum swings possible
Course corrections
Pragmatism rewarded
Ideology moderated
Balance sought

Looking Forward

Immediate Priorities

Economic revival
Cross-strait stability
International participation
Social healing
Governance delivery

Long-term Questions

Integration limits?
Identity evolution?
Democracy protection?
Beijing’s intentions?
U.S. role?

Historical Significance

Ma’s victory marked:

Democratic Maturity - Second peaceful transition
Pragmatic Turn - Economics over ideology
Engagement Era - New cross-strait chapter
Status Quo Preference - Stability chosen

Ma Ying-jeou’s decisive victory demonstrated Taiwan’s democratic maturity through another peaceful transfer of power, with voters choosing economic pragmatism and cross-strait stability over ideological confrontation, while maintaining their commitment to democratic sovereignty and de facto independence.