2008年5月20日,馬英九政府就職後,兩岸關係進入新時代。為推動兩岸關係的改善和發展,新政府推動兩岸包機直航和增加中國大陸觀光客每天來臺數額的政策。此外,新政府亦將積極擴大與中國大陸的經濟聯繫,尤其是兩岸直接通航、通商和通郵。 政府已經正式授權海基會就兩岸包機與開放中國大陸人士來臺觀光等三項議題,與海協會進行協商,這是雙方建立互信與促進兩岸良性互動的第一步。未來政府將在審慎、穩定的步伐中持續透過海基會與對岸就兩岸關切議題進行溝通、協商,以為兩岸的良性互動奠定更穩固的基礎。兩岸回歸制度化協商將促進兩岸關係逐步朝向有利於雙方建立互信的方向發展。除了兩岸經貿事務之外,政府的兩岸政策將秉持以臺灣優先、對人民有利的原則下持續推動,也呼籲中國大陸在國際社會中充分尊重臺灣的生存空間。
The inauguration of the Ma Ying-jeou's government on 20 May heralds a new era for cross-Strait relations. Progressing towards the improvement and development of relations with the Chinese mainland, the new government adopt a policy on chartered cross-Strait direct flights and expansion of the daily quota of mainland tourists travelling to Taiwan. Apart from chartered flights and mainland tourist issues, Ma's government will also strive to increase economic ties with the mainland, particularly direct transportation, business and postal services across the Strait, or the so called ”three links”. Tthe ROC government formally authorized the SEF to negotiate with the ARATS on three issues, including the implementation of cross-strait passenger and cargo charter flights and the opening of Taiwan to Chinese tourists. This is the first step toward establishing mutual trust between the two sides and promoting benign cross-strait interactions. Resuming institutionalized crossstrait negotiations will facilitate cross-strait relations to be gradually developed in a direction that is conducive to the establishment of mutual trust between the two sides. The negotiation agenda of the SEF and the ARATS would follow up issues related to the two agreements concluded during the recent meeting, such as number of flights, flight points, and flight routes for the weekend charter flights. Issues for follow-up negotiations will be assessed by the ROC government. The government will continue through the SEF to cautiously and stably engage in communication and negotiations with the other side on issues of mutual concern in the future so as to lay an even more solid foundation for benign cross-strait interactions. In the future, beside to the economic issues, the government will continue to promote its cross-strait policies under the principle of putting Taiwan first for the benefit of the people. Moreover, the government appeals to China to fully respect Taiwan's space for survival in the international community.