Yingjeou

Yingjeou, commonly transliterated as Ma Ying-jeou, is a Taiwanese politician who served as the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2008 to 2016. A member of the Kuomintang (KMT), he previously served as the Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006. Born in 1950 in Taipei, he studied law at National Taiwan University before entering public service.

During his presidency, Ma pursued closer ties with Mainland China and economic integration, culminating in the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with the People’s Republic of China in 2010. His administration also emphasized financial reform and modernization of infrastructure, while facing domestic concerns over economic inequality and unemployment.

In 2014, his cross-strait policy faced significant opposition from students and civil groups during the Sunflower Student Movement, which protested the rapid passage of trade agreements with China without broader legislative oversight. The protests highlighted debates about transparency and democratic process in handling cross-strait relations.

Ma Ying-jeou remained a key figure within the Kuomintang after leaving office, contributing to party leadership and public policy discussions. His presidency is frequently cited in analyses of Taiwan’s cross-strait relations and the country’s domestic political development in the early 21st century.