PROFILE: Taiwan's winning Ma preaches pragmatism towards China

Jan 14, 2012, 12:11 GMT

Taipei - Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou won a second, four-year term to lead the island territory Saturday, on a platform of his pragmatic approach in dealing with mainland China.

Ma's 12 years of experience as an elected executive prevailed over an opposition candidate, Tsai Ing-wen, with none. The president, from the ruling Nationalist Party, steered Taiwan out of the global financial crisis and oversaw two years of robust economic growth.

His campaign rested on the easing tensions and closer economic ties with China. The administration signed 16 pacts with Beijing, including a free trade agreement and the opening of direct cross-strait flights.

Cross-strait relations have been at their best since the island's government separated from the mainland in 1949.

For his second term, Ma promises trade agreements, and explore a peace deal to officially end hostilities.

Beijing negotiated with Ma because he accepted the '1992 consensus,' a tacit agreement on the one-China policy. Tsai had challenged that consensus as anathema to Taiwan's sovereignty.

Ma's foreign policy adviser, Francis Kan, said the focus should be on 'how the consensus, whether you like it or not, has brought Taiwan people real benefits, and also brought to the Taiwan Strait more stability.'

Ma was born in Hong Kong in 1950 to parents who fled mainland China when the Communists took over. His father was a top Nationalist Party official, and moved the family to Taiwan a year later.

Ma worked his way up the party ranks since 1981, including stints as justice minister and mayor of Taipei.

One of Ma's key campaign advantages was his wife, Chow Mei-ching, who is popular among the public for her modest lifestyle, simple fashion sense and use of public transportation. She has often traveled abroad to represent Taiwan for humanitarian work.

During the last two weeks of the race, Chow stumped for the president every day, fully bowing down to supporters when she shook their hands despite reportedly having back problems.

The couple also has two daughters who live in the United States. They traveled back to Taiwan to cast ballots in Saturday's contest.