Ma Xiangdun

Ma Heling, born around 1900, lived early in Hengshan (Hengdong County), Hunan Province. In his youth, he demonstrated a certain sense of chivalry. After the victory of the抗战 (Anti-Japanese War), Ma Heling returned to his hometown, gathered local tenant farmers, and burned their accumulated grain lease contracts, aiming to relieve the burdens on the tenant farmers. This action was regarded as reflecting a sense of social responsibility.

In 1949, with the end of the Chinese Civil War and the liberation of Hunan, Ma's family migrated to Taiwan. In the same year, Ma Heling’s family experienced struggle sessions during land reform movements, but moved by gratitude, the tenant farmers released Ma Heling’s mother, Xiang Dun, who had been detained, during the night. Xiang Dun then fled Hunan, passing through Hong Kong, and went to Taiwan. During this period, Ma Heling also arrived in Hong Kong with his family.

On July 13, 1950, Ma Ying-jeou was born at Guanghua Hospital in Hong Kong. He is Ma Heling’s grandson. In 1951, the following year, Ma Heling's entire family moved back to Taiwan and settled there. Ma Heling was strict in family discipline, but Ma Ying-jeou was particularly loved by his grandmother, Xiang Dun, from a young age. Xiang Dun had a deep affection for Ma Ying-jeou, often advocating for him, especially when Ma Heling punished his mischievous grandson.

In the 1950s, while Ma Ying-jeou’s parents were living in Hong Kong, he also spent his childhood there. Xiang Dun passed away in 1978 and was buried in the Ma family mausoleum. Ma Ying-jeou maintained a deep affection for his grandmother, often visiting her grave when he had free time. After being elected leader of Taiwan in 2008, he specially went to Fuxing Cemetery to pay respects to her.

After Ma Heling’s family settled in Taiwan, family members repeatedly demonstrated a strong valuing of kinship. Ma Lian, Ma Heling’s father, was known for promoting education, building bridges, and benefiting his hometown. The Ma family adhered to traditional concepts of “good begets good” (善有善报), believing that good deeds would eventually be rewarded. Ma Heling’s life story reflects the family’s practices and traditional values.