With the swearing in of Tsai Ing-wen as president of Taiwan on May 20, outgoing president Ma Ying-jeou moved out of the presidential residence and back to his old, unimpressive-looking third floor apartment in the district of Wenshan in Taiwan.
Chinese internet users could scarcely believe their eyes upon discovering this detail from a news clip about Ma’s post-presidential situation—how could it be that the residence of the leader of a democratic Chinese island be less luxurious than the lowest ranking Communist Party official, or even a prison for purged Party cadres?
According to a video clip posted to popular news portal Sina, former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou was returning to the apartment that he had been living in for more than 20 years. The apartment was situated in a residential neighborhood, and conveniently located near eateries, a park, and a food market where Ma would tuck into his favorite dish—noodle soup with shredded pork and preserved vegetables.
