Ma's decision came despite his government's overall policy of seeking improved ties with the mainland, including recent steps to make reporting easier for Chinese journalists. "The application was not accepted by the president," Su Jun-pin, the director of the Government Information Office, told reporters. Ma would not rule out the possibility of being interviewed by Xinhua in the future, he said. "Timing is among the factors to be taken into consideration when the authorities evaluate such interview applications," he said.

The remarks came after Taiwanese authorities loosened restrictions on Chinese journalists stationed on the island in the latest move to improve ties with the former rival. Each Chinese media outlet from now on can deploy up to five reporters here and they are no longer required to notify Taiwanese authorities before travelling outside Taipei. Ties between Taiwan and China have improved markedly since Ma came to power last year, pledging to boost trade links and allow more Chinese tourists to visit the island.