Ma Ying-jeou, former president of Taiwan, speaks at Notre Dame’s Asia Leadership Forum | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Ma Ying-jeou, former president of Taiwan, speaks at Notre Dame’s Asia Leadership Forum Ma Ying-jeou, former president of Taiwan, speaks at Notre Dame’s Asia Leadership Forum Published: November 22, 2016 Author: Joan Fallon Ma Ying-jeou, former president of Taiwan, spent last weekend at University of Notre Dame at the invitation of Notre Dame president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. The occasion was Notre Dame’s Asia Leadership Forum, sponsored by the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies. In his keynote address, Ma highlighted greater China’s history and described his role in Taiwan’s recent progress toward “peaceful, friendly and close” relations with mainland China, Japan and the U.S. Ma’s tenure as the 12th president of Taiwan was marked by his commitment to easing tensions and improving cross-strait relations. During his eight years in office, he secured 23 substantive agreements — in trade, energy, the environment, education and other areas — with his mainland counterparts. In 2015, at his historic and unprecedented meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping, he became the first-ever Taiwanese leader to meet with a leader from mainland China. A highlight of the Asia Forum weekend was a gathering, at Ma’s request, with more than 50 Notre Dame students — primarily from mainland China as well as some from Taiwan and some non-Asian students who have studied and are proficient in Chinese. Michel Hockx, professor of Chinese literature and director of the Liu Institute, noted the high level of courtesy and intellectual curiosity of the students who engaged with each other and with Ma — a kind of cross-straits student interaction that Hockx said would be highly unusual at many institutions. “The Asia Leadership Forum is designed to explore and showcase the values of leadership we want to instill in our students and to immerse future leaders in deep knowledge and understanding of Asia,” Hockx said. “Mr. Ma’s visit and enthusiastic interaction with students and faculty have moved the whole university toward that goal.” The Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, part of the new Keough School of Global Affairs, promotes awareness, understanding and knowledge of Asia throughout the Notre Dame community and far beyond. Last year’s Asia Leadership Forum featured Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former president of Indonesia. Contact: Catherine Wilson, Notre Dame International, 574-631-1151, cwilson131@nd.edu Posted In: International Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related September 30, 2022 Nanovic Institute to welcome former President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović September 29, 2022 Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants September 27, 2022 Notre Dame, Trinity College Dublin engineers join to advance novel treatment for cystic fibrosis September 14, 2022 Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain to deliver the 2022 Keeley Vatican Lecture September 12, 2022 Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street … in different countries? For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn