Mixed blog reaction to Taiwan inauguration

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TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 20 (UPI) -- Internet bloggers in China were supportive of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's statements that seemingly urged closer ties between his nation and the mainland.

Ma was sworn in for a second term Sunday in a ceremony that was streamed live on the Web and received a favorable response from a number of the mainland's many microbloggers, Taiwan's Central News Agency said.

Ma specifically called his Republic of China a nation of "two areas," including the island and the mainland. The notion drew some criticism on the Internet but also found some support from digital commentators, CNA said.

While Ma received some positive reviews from the mainland, his inauguration received a tepid reaction from official Chinese outlets and the streaming video was cut off on some sites.

Ma was also not universally cheered on Taiwan. Protesters marched in Taipei Sunday to protest what they saw as the president's lack of action to boost the economy and help out the working class, the Taipei Times said.