馬英九雖然成功連任，但因為得票減少，特別是立法院席次少的問題，在未來的執政過程中要面臨著在野黨更多、更複雜的挑戰。同時，馬政府未來的兩岸政策也將受到大陸、美國以及企業界的影響，而各方勢力的態度和利益並不一致，這將使馬政府必須在各方勢力之間取得平衡。本文將以上述背景為基礎探討馬英九新一屆政府所要面對的挑戰及其因應之道，並力圖從中發現未來兩岸關係的發展趨勢。

Although Ma Ying-jeou was re-elected to a second presidential term, he received far fewer votes than in 2008 and the KMT's majority in the Legislative Yuan shrank substantially. As a result, Ma and his KMT will face greater challenges from opposition parties in the governing process. At the same time, the Ma government's cross-Strait policy will be impacted by Mainland China, the United States and the business community. Each of these actors has different attitudes and interests and Ma's second administration will have to strike a balance between these forces. This article explores the challenges faced by Ma Ying-jeou's new government and potential policy options while attempting to identify future trends in cross-Strait relations.