Former Taiwan President Ma visits China for peace talks

Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has begun a 12-day visit to mainland China, accompanied by Taiwanese students as part of an exchange with two Chinese universities. Ma, who is visiting as a private citizen, has framed the trip as a means to improve relations between Beijing and Taipei. The visit comes a day after Honduras broke its ties with Taiwan. The Kuomingtang politician's visit has been criticised by Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, but there has been little controversy on the island due to other Kuomingtang politicians having previously made similar trips.