W T O Issue 

Three Links and Cross-Strait Contacts

 "One Country on Each Side" Statement

 [PRC Policy] [Taiwan Policy] [News] [Papers]

 ~ 2001 ; 2002

Taipei Opens Door to China Property Investment
(AP, Dec. 21, 2002) Taiwan has eased a ban on real-estate investment in China, opening the door for Taiwanese firms to the huge property market for the first time in decades.

Koo Lands Another Term as SEF Head, Urges Negotiations
(TT, Dec. 3, 2002) Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Koo Chen-fu was re-elected yesterday to a fifth three-year term. "I hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can restart talks as soon as possible," Koo told reporters.

China Says Policy Towards Taiwan Will Not Change with Hu Jintao
(AFP, Nov. 27, 2002) China said that its policy towards Taiwan would not change with a new leader, Hu Jintao, taking over the head of the ruling Communist Party from President Jiang Zemin.

China's Policy Hasn't Changed, Says Taiwan
(Straits Times, Nov. 14, 2002) Jiang's speech was just rhetoric but there has been no breakthrough as the 'one-China' policy and military threat remain, says Taipei Premier.

Indirect Charter Flights Possible, Say Officials
(Taiwan News, Nov. 13, 2002) Premier Yu Shyi-kun disclosed that the government had finalized its evaluation of the possibility of allowing special cross-strait charter flights over the Lunar New Year.

China-born Taiwanese Face Crisis of Identity
(Straits Times, Nov. 12, 2002) The growing trend of Taiwan businessmen settling in China has produced a new breed of Taiwanese born or raised on the mainland, dubbed the 'China-born Taiwanese' (CBT).

Taiwan Welcomes China Proposal on "Cross-Strait" Links
(Reuters, Oct. 17, 2002) Taiwan officials gave a cautious welcome to a reported move by China to de-politicise direct transport links between the island and the mainland by labelling routes as "cross-strait" rather than "domestic".

China's Qian: Links Talks With Taiwan Purely Econ Issue
(AP, Oct. 17, 2002) China's vice premier has said the establishment of direct air and shipping links with Taiwan is a purely economic issue that wouldn't require the island to first recognize Beijing's "one-China" principle.

Chinese Premier Warns Taiwan Anew of Separatism
(AP, Oct. 1, 2002) China's premier warned Taiwan's leadership again that talk of the island's independence is dangerous, counterproductive and ultimately futile.

Cross-Strait Legal Changes to Usher in Whole New Era
(Taipei Times, Sep. 30, 2002) The significance of the amendments is turning thoughts behind the legislation from "viewing China as a rival" to "a normal country" when it comes to civil exchanges.

Taiwan Asks China to Avoid Miscalculation over Sect
(Reuters, Sep. 28, 2002) Taiwan urged China to resume stalled dialogue to avoid "miscalculation" over Chinese accusations of satellite interference by Falun Gong followers based in Taiwan.

Taiwanese Charged as Chinese Spies
(BBC, Sep. 26, 2002) Taiwanese officials say that espionage charges have been filed against a retired air force officer, his wife, and their son, who are accused of spying for China.

Taiwan Says China TV Hijack Charge 'Far-Fetched'
(Reuters, Sep. 25, 2002) A Taiwan official dismissed as “far-fetched'' China's accusation that followers of the Falun Gong spiritual group had hacked into state satellite television signals from the island.

Beijing Says Falun's TV Piracy Came From Taiwan
(WP, Sep. 25, 2002) The banned Falun Gong spiritual movement hijacked one of China's main television satellites again this month, and technicians have traced the pirate transmissions to rival Taiwan, state media reported.

Taiwan Asks Chinese Business Group to Leave
(Reuters, Sep. 20, 2002) In an unprecedented move, Taiwan has asked a visiting Chinese business delegation to leave for trying to drum up investment, an apparent sign of the island's anxiety over the economic threat posed by China.

China Says Taiwan's Investment In Mainland Rose 47% In 1st Half
(Dow Jones, Sep. 16, 2002) While about three-quarters of existing Taiwanese investment is in manufacturing, Taiwanese companies are starting to invest in a broader range of industries, including financial services and retailing.

Beijing Now Thinks Time on Its Side, Report Says
(Taipei Times, Sep. 6, 2002) Beijing has concluded that the current rush by Taiwan businessmen to invest in the mainland could be the first step in the eventual unification of the island with China, and thus has adopted a "patient" attitude toward the use of force against Taiwan.

Investors Flock from Taiwan to China
(Straits Times, Aug. 22, 2002) Taiwan sees investments plummeting and factory closures rising sharply, as 'China magnet' demonstrates its appeal.

Chen Keeps the Pressure on Beijing
(Taipei Times, July 31, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian  yesterday urged China to forsake its ambition to attack Taiwan by force, saying Taiwan will not change the status quo if China ceases its threats.

Chen Repeats Call for Taiwan to Take 'Own Road'
(China Post, July 30, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian reiterated that Taiwan should ponder "walking down its own Road" if mainland China fails to respond to the island's goodwill gestures and urged Asia-based Taiwan businessmen to not overly depend on the mainland market.

Taiwan Firms Ordered to Quit China Chip Ventures
(Reuters, July 24, 2002) Taiwan has ordered local firms to withdraw unapproved investments in computer chip companies in China, threatening violators with imprisonment of up to five years.

Taiwan Might "Walk Down Our Own Taiwanese Road"
(AP, July 22, 2002) Taiwan's president voiced impatience with Beijing's refusal to answer his calls for top-level talks to improve relations and said the island nation might "walk down our own Taiwanese road."

China Puts Politics in Banking Deal
(Taipei Times, July 12, 2002) China is attempting to trap Taiwan into accepting its "one China" policy by asking Taiwanese banks to sign cross-strait remittance agreements that include this policy.

Chen Stresses Changes to Cross-Strait Relations
(Taiwan News, July 11, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian raised the possibility of overhauling the framework of government departments in charge of mainland affairs, noting that cross-strait relations underwent significant changes during the past decade.

President Chen Rejects Qian's Suggestion
(China Post, July 8, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian rejected a Beijing suggestion that the issue of cross-strait air and shipping links be treated as a domestic affair on the grounds that the mainland had assumed that Taiwan was a part of mainland China.

China: Cross-Strait Exchanges Must Be Treated as Domestic Affair
(People’s Daily, June 28, 2002) The "three direct links" across the Taiwan Strait must be treated as a domestic issue and direct transportation routes must be treated as internal routes, a Chinese mainland spokesman said.

Cross-Strait Peace Just an 'Illusion,' Chen Says
(Taiwan News, June 27, 2002) Current cross-strait peace is only an "illusion," intentionally created by Beijing in an attempt to lull the people of Taiwan into a false sense of security, President Chen Shui-bian warned.

China Urges Taiwan to Lift Ban on Direct Transport
(Reuters, June 25, 2002) Beijing has renewed a call for private businesses to spearhead talks on ending a five-decade ban on direct air and shipping links between China and rival Taiwan.

Taiwan Legislators Flock to Beijing to Discuss Cross-Strait Affairs
(CNA, June 22, 2002) Three groups of Taiwan legislators and their supporters are expected to arrive in Beijing Sunday for visits aimed at facilitating political and business exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

More Taiwan Investment For High Tech on Mainland
(People’s Daily, June 15, 2002) The high-tech sector is replacing the textile and foodstuff sectors in attracting the most Taiwan investment on the Chinese mainland.

EU Model for Cross-Strait Ties: Chen
(China Post, June 1, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian said that the European Union's experience of integrating economic and trade prior to tackling more complicated issues can be a valuable reference for Taiwan in the handling of cross-strait affairs.

Taiwan President Gets Low Marks from China
(AFP, May 29, 2002) China gave Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian low marks for his performance as leader of the island over the past two years, saying it had been disappointed by his words and deeds.

Taiwan's China Investments Up 1% in 1st Quarter
(CNA, May 21, 2002) Taiwan's indirect investment in mainland China in April totaled US$248 million. This brings Taiwan's total investment in mainland China in the first four months of the year to US$816 million, a 1.02 percent increase over the corresponding period of 2001.

Chen Reaffirms Backing 'Open Door' Investment Policy
(Taiwan News, May 15, 2002) Regarding trade and economic exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, President Chen Shui-bian said: "We must stick to our cardinal principles of 'Taiwan first, global planning, reciprocity and risk management.'"

China Blocks Taiwan's WHO Bid
(BBC, May 14, 2002) China has blocked Taiwan's sixth attempt to join the World Health Organisation (WHO) but Taiwan has said it will try again next year .

Opposition Says Chen Must Take Action
(Taiwan News, May 10, 2002) In the wake of President Chen Shui-bian's ambitious statements yesterday about sending members from his own party to negotiate with Chinese officials, KMT remains suspicious of Chen's goodwill; PFP lauds president's gesture toward Beijing.

Chen Ready to Sip Tea with China's Leaders
(AFP, May 9, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said on Thursday that he would send a delegation to China to seek reconciliation between his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Communist Party. 'If mainland leaders wish, I would like to invite them for tea at this tea house for a chat...to open a window for cross-strait reconciliation.'

Taiwan President to Send Negotiators to China
(Reuters, May 9, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said on Thursday he will send a delegation of officials from his party to China in August to get negotiations between Taiwan and the mainland going again.

Taiwan President Sees No Breakthrough in China Ties
(Reuters, May 7, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said he does not expect a breakthrough in relations with Beijing if China's heir apparent Hu Jintao assumes power. "Of course, some things change." "But it's very difficult to have excessive expectations that there'll be a breakthrough in bilateral relations after he takes over."

Taiwan Is Trying to Limit Its Engineers' Work in China
(New York Times, April 26, 2002) Worried about losing its technological edge over China, the government here intends to require some Taiwan engineers to get permission before accepting jobs in China.

Big Taiwan Firms Look Across Strait
(CNA, April 18, 2002) Nearly half of Taiwan's large firms are planning to launch market deployment in mainland China in the coming year, with 90 percent of them mulling recruitment of talent from the mainland market, according to the results of a recent poll.

Taiwan and China Tie Up on Oil and Gas Deal
(AFP, April 18, 2002) Taiwan's state-owned Chinese Petroleum Corp (CPC) has received government approval to team up with a leading oil firm from mainland China to jointly explore oil and natural gas in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Opens China to Chip Investment
(Taiwan News, March 30, 2002) After 11 months of bitter controversy between the ruling and opposition parties, Premier Yu Shyi-kun finally announced that under a "effective management" mechanism a conditional and small-scale policy will be adopted by the Taiwan government allowing local foundries to relocate 8-inch wafer plants to China.

Taiwan Proposes Lifting Restrictions on Investors from China
(Taipei Times, March 28, 2002) The Cabinet approved draft amendments to the Statute Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area and the Statute Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macau to allow Chinese investment into Taiwan and high schools to be established in China for the children of Taiwanese living there.

China Willing to Work with Taiwan to Solve Fishing Row
(AFP, March 28, 2002) China said it was willing to set up a non-governmental mechanism with Taiwan to enable 30,000 mainland Chinese laborers to return to work for Taiwanese fishing companies.

Beijing's Threat to Use Force Unchanged, Says China's Zhu
(AFP, March 16, 2002) Beijing has not changed its policy on Taiwan despite a recent speech characterized by many observers as surprisingly mild, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said. He also stressed that a pledge to use force to reunite the island with China still stood.

Beijing's Main Stance Toward Taiwan Unchanged: MAC
(United Daily News, March 14, 2002) Although Beijing's recent public remarks on Taiwan have appeared more pragmatic, the mainland government presents a different face in private on fundamental issues, and the thrust of its policy remains largely unchanged.

Taipei to Scrap Ban on China Chip Plants
(Reuters, March 9, 2002) Taiwan said yesterday it would make good on a promise to scrap a ban on local firms building microchip plants in China to take advantage of the world's fastest-growing chip market, but added a string of conditions.

President Chen Says Open Mainland Policy Fine
(CNA, March 8, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian said that local people need not overly worry about the government's market-opening and liberalization measures. Chen was referring to the recent debate over whether the government should allow Taiwan enterprises to relocate eight inch wafer plants to mainland China.

Taiwan Exports to China Up, Investment Down
(CNA, Mar. 5, 2002) Taiwan's reliance on the Chinese market has continued to increase over the past decade as the island's exports to the mainland as a ratio of its total exports grew. The value of goods and services that Taiwan exported to China in 2001 constituted 19.6 percent of the island's total exports for the year.

First Ship After Ban Lift Reaches Kinmen
(AP, Feb. 28, 2002) A mainland Chinese cargo ship sailed into a Taiwan harbor Wednesday, the first such vessel to make the trip since Taiwan lifted a five-decade ban one year ago on direct shipping between its outlying islands and the mainland.

China to Push for Taiwan Dialogue in New Lunar Year
(Reuters, Feb. 11, 2002) Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Beijing would push to resume dialogue with Taiwan in the Year of the Horse, while trying to raise incomes and crack down on corruption.

Taiwan Urged to Relax Mainland Tourist Restrictions
(CNA, Feb. 9, 2002) All 15 members of the first group of mainland Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan made a common statement near the end of their four-day visit, saying they would like to visit Taiwan again but only after the island relaxes its policies toward mainland visitors.

China Says Policy on Taiwan Unchanged Despite Report
(Reuters, Feb. 7, 2002) China said its policy toward Taiwan has not changed despite a news report that it has abandoned a key precondition for talks on establishing direct links with the island. Beijing has insisted its "one-China" formula, which states that Taiwan and the mainland belong to a single country, is the only basis for cross-Strait talks.

China Moves to Open '3 Links' With Taiwan
(WP, Feb. 6, 2002) A senior official here said that China is pushing to open direct shipping, trade and mail links with Taiwan and is ready to do so without involving the governments of either side. The comments underscored a significant softening of Beijing's policy toward Taipei in recent weeks.

Chinese Tour Group Finally Arrives Today
(CNA, Feb. 5, 2002) A 15-member tour group of mainland Chinese nationals residing in Japan is scheduled to arrive in Taipei today for a four-day sightseeing trip. It will be the first mainland tour group to visit Taiwan since the Republic of China government opened the door for overseas mainland citizens to make group tours of the island at the beginning of this year.

Taipei Denounces Beijing's Statements on Chen, Lu
(CNA, Jan. 31, 2002) Comments by mainland China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Zhang Mingqing against ROC President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu show no respect toward Taiwan's leaders and do not serve the interest of cross-strait relations, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said.

Beijing Rules Out Visit by Chen
(CNN.com, Jan. 31, 2002) Beijing has ruled out allowing Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian to visit the mainland, placing him in the category of "stubborn separatists."

China Says Conditions Not Ripe for Taiwan Talks
(Reuters, Jan. 30, 2002) China said conditions are not right to resume talks with arch rival Taiwan despite an easing of policy toward the island's pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). But Beijing supported anything that would be good for trade with Taiwan.

MAC Official Urges More Cross-Strait Hard Realism
(China Post, Jan. 28, 2002) Mainland Affairs Council chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen warned against being overly optimistic or pessimistic about a potential thaw in cross-strait relations in the wake of recent comments made by a senior PRC official. According to Tsai, it is still to early to tell if the remarks herald an imminent change in the mainland's approach to Taiwan.

MOEA Applauds Beijing's Interest in Free Trade Zone
(China Post, Jan. 27, 2002) A mainland Chinese scholar recently indicated that Beijing is working out concrete measures to promote trade relations across the Taiwan Strait with the goal of establishing a cross-strait free trade zone. A ranking official at the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) applauded Beijing's reported attempt to create a free trade zone with Taiwan.

Mainland China Adjusting Attitude toward Taiwan: SEF Chairman
(CNA, Jan. 26, 2002) Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Koo Chen-fu said that the recent remarks of mainland Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen indicated that Beijing is adjusting its attitude toward Taiwan.     He said that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should study how to develop bilateral relations peacefully with a "new thinking."

Taiwan Welcomes Beijing's Decision to Invite Govt to Visit
(AFP, Jan. 25, 2002) Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) welcomed Beijing's move of opening contacts with the pro-independence party. "We think this is a demonstration of goodwill and we would be happy to see its progress," DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh told reporters. "It means that the People's Republic of China has started to understand Taiwan's political situation."

China Eases Stance on Taiwan
(Washington Post, Jan. 24, 2002) China announced a significant softening of its policy toward Taiwan today, released another prisoner with U.S. ties, and pledged $150 million to the effort to rebuild Afghanistan – moves aimed at underscoring its desire for good ties with Washington before President Bush visits next month.

China Softens Stance on Taiwan Ruling Party
(Reuters, Jan. 24, 2002 ) Vice Premier Qian Qichen said members of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were welcome to visit the mainland and called for renewed dialogue and stronger economic ties across the Taiwan Strait. "We believe there is a distinction between the vast majority of DPP members and a very small number of stubborn Taiwan independence activists."

U.S. Pushes Beijing-Taipei Dialogue
(Reuters, Jan. 20, 2002) U.S. officials meeting the deputy head of mainland China's Taiwan Affairs Office this week urged Beijing to hold talks with the island Beijing regards as a renegade province, the State Department said.

Taiwan to Allow Travel to China via Offshore Islands
(AFP, Jan. 18, 2002) The Taiwan authorities will allow limited numbers of visitors from the main island to head to China via outlying islets, officials said. Currently, only residents of the Taiwanese islets of Kinmen and Matsu are permitted to sail directly to two selected ports in Fujian province, in southeastern China, an hour away.

Chen Claims Beijing Loses over Impasse
(Taipei Times, Jan. 11, 2002) China's refusal to resume dialogue and contacts with Taiwan is detrimental to cross-strait relations, President Chen Shui-bian told visiting members of the Atlantic Council. During their meeting with Chen, the president told the group that it was the mission of leaders from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to complete the "normalization" of cross-strait ties.

MAC Disappointed by China's Remarks on WTO Talks
(Taipei Times, Jan. 10, 2002) Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Vice Chairman John Deng said that he is disappointed by remarks that were made on Monday by senior Chinese official Tang Shu-bei. Tang said that China will not discuss trade and economic issues with Taiwan under the WTO framework.

Taiwan Urged to Ease Mainland-Trade Policy
(China Daily, Jan. 9, 2002) Tang Shubei -- former executive vice-president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits -- urged Taipei to further ease its stringent mainland-trade policy in a bid to strengthen cross-Straits economic ties following the island's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Jiang and Chen Call for Better Relations
(South China Morning Post, Jan. 2, 2002) President Jiang Zemin said economic co-operation with Taiwan had already been enhanced. World Trade Organisation membership provided new opportunities for economic and trade relations for both sides. In Taipei, President Chen Shui-bian pledged to promote a "constructive co-operative relationship" with the mainland as the island joined the WTO.

Taiwan Has No Way to 'Insulate' Economy from Mainland
(China Post, Dec. 16, 2002) Taiwan has no way to insulate its economy from mainland China, a former deputy chairman at the island's mainland policy making organ said.

Cross-Strait Issue Should Be About Economics: Siew
(Taipei Times, Dec. 2, 2002) Former premier Vincent Siew said that he expects direct links to be a hot issue in the run-up to the 2004 presidential election but he wishes that discussions on cross-strait relations would focus on economics, not politics.

Taiwan Unmoved by Chinese Changes By Michael Bristow
(BBC, Nov. 13, 2002) The relationship between the two sides is the dominant political issue on the island. It is something which affects so many other policies it just cannot be ignored.

China's Leadership Change Presents Opportunity, Says Economist
(Taiwan News, Nov. 6, 2002) A senior economist with a magazine of international repute suggested that the Taiwan government seize a rare opportunity to move forward on the cross-strait issue by adopting a more open China policy.

MAC Chair Spars with Predecessor over DPP's Links Policy
(Taiwan News, Nov. 4, 2002) In an unusual move, Tsai issued a seven-page statement that responded to remarks made by Su late last month at a Kuomintang Central Standing Committee meeting.

MAC Not Making Good on Promises By Kao Koong-lian
(Taipei Times, Oct. 14, 2002) On Sept. 25 the Cabinet passed amendments to the Statute Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area that will soon be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review.

Taiwan Should Invest in Mainland: Scholar By Chris Cockel
(China Post, Oct. 6, 2002) According to Boston University's Dr. Joseph Fewsmith, speaking at the conservative Heritage Foundation, "Taiwan has no economic future outside of the PRC."

Let Time Bridge the China-Taiwan Gap By George Sioris
(Japan Times, Sep. 8, 2002) Recent complications with regard to visits, or planned visits, by Taiwanese politicians to Indonesia and Thailand serve as new reminders of a most sensitive lingering East Asian issue.

KMT Seeks U.S. Mediation in Cross-Strait Tug-of-War By Chris Cockel
(China Post, Sep. 8, 2002) In order that a thaw might be precipitated in the icy cross-strait relations, Kuomintang Legislator John H. Chang is seeking United States mediation on the path toward restarting institutional dialogue between Taipei and Beijing.

'Go South', But do Taiwan Businesses See the Harvests? By Goh Sui Noi
(Straits Times, Aug. 31, 2002) There are several reasons for the revival of the 'go south' policy, not least of which is the concern over being squeezed out of the region by the island's political rival across the Taiwan Strait..

Taiwan Needs A Coherent, Consistent Cross-Strait Policy By Raymond Wu
(Straits Times, Aug. 13, 2002) The recent remarks by Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian again focused world attention on the inherent volatility of cross-Strait relations.

Why Taiwanese Businessmen Can't Turn Their Backs on China By Goh Sui Noi
(Straits Times, Aug. 2, 2002) Analysts warned that Taiwan's economic power would shrivel and its economy would be marginalised if it were to resist China economically. This is because the two economies are closely integrated.

Taiwan Won't Change Mainland Policies
(Agence France Presse, July 23, 2002) Taiwan is not expected to change its policy towards mainland China, despite off-the-cuff remarks from President Chen Shui-bian threatening to take the island further towards independence.

Taiwan 'Flexible' on Mainland Issues By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, July 22, 2002) Taipei has said it is willing to talk with the mainland on "whatever issue" but it hopes Beijing will try to understand the Taiwan system better.

Lee's `State-to-State' Policy Endures
(Editorial, Taipei Times, July 9, 2002) Now, as "direct links" fever rages on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Lee's "state-to-state" policy is functioning as a central support pillar for Taiwan. The policy remains a valuable asset from Lee's 12 years in power.

Taiwan Legislator Urges 'Ambiguity' to Help Direct Links with China
(AFP, June 25, 2002) A senior Taiwan legislator has suggested that a policy of "creative ambiguity" could remove a main stumbling block to talks on direct air and shipping links with China.

Cross-Strait Feud Has No Winners
(Editorial, Taipei Times, June 16, 2002) An alarming cross-strait feud is intensifying over the recognition of notarized documents. Since the beginning of this year, more than 5,000 cases have been reported of notarized documents from Taiwan being rejected by the Chinese authorities.

Consultation Key to Cross-Strait Peace By Lin Chong-Pin
(Taipei Times, June 14, 2002) Armed conflict failed to materialize because Beijing was pragmatic and Washington demonstrated its resolve in maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait. The critical contribution, however, was Chen's prudent and practical policy toward China.

US Academic Gives Ideas for Taiwan's Hold on Democracy
(Taipei Times, June 9, 2002) As integration across the Taiwan Strait intensifies in non-political fields, a US scholar, Daniel Lynch, envisioned three possibilities through which Taiwan's democracy could remain without being threatened by integration with its giant neighbor.

Senior Adviser Sheds Lights on China Gestures
(Central News Agency, June 7, 2002) Lin Chong-pin says officials in Beijing have blind spots that prevent them from understanding President Chen Shui-bian's overtures.

Opposition Hurting Cross-Strait Ties By Lin Cho-shui
(Taipei Times, June 3, 2002) According to the opposition, raising the issue of "one China" -- and not raising the issue -- are both expressions of goodwill. It seems that anytime Beijing brings something up, it becomes a goodwill gesture, regardless of the inconsistency of the message.

Don't Use Cross-Strait Ploy for Votes By Emile Sheng
(Taipei Times, May 16, 2002) The ups and downs in cross-strait relations over the past ten years appear to contain a discernible pattern. When no elections were being held, everything was tranquil, but the larger an important election loomed on the horizon, the greater the storm that arose.

Chen Wants to Keep Mainland at Arm's Length, Says U.S. Ties Best in 30 Years By Eric Hall and Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, May 8, 2002) In a press interview, President Chen Shui-bian set out policies on China's imminent leadership change, Taiwan's worst drought for decades, and domestic infighting and corruption, all of which keep China's aspirations at a long arm's length.

Who Needs China? By Terho Uimonen
(Far Eastern Economic Review, April 18, 2002) Finally, Taiwan has opened the door for investment in China by its chip-making giants. But don't expect an exodus. Their focus remains firmly at home--refining their cutting-edge technology and grabbing a bigger chunk of the global market.

Cross-Strait Investments Test Ruling Party's Mettle By Ko Shu-ling
(Taipei Times, March 30, 2002) The government's relaxation of the ban on local wafer plants is a true test of the DPP government's political wisdom as it must exercise the utmost care in balancing national security and economic development.

Taiwan: What's in a Name? By Mike Chinoy
(CNN.com, March 22, 2002) At first glimpse, it doesn't seem like much. But three recent moves by the government of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian are threatening new tensions with China. The decisions signal an assertion of a separate Taiwanese identity, which have already generated strong opposition from Beijing.

Give Cross-Strait Peace a Chance By Chien Hsi-chieh
(Taipei Times, Feb. 4, 2002) While the cross-strait relationship may be warming on the surface, it's hard to be too optimistic about the future, given China's insistence that the premise for renewed talks between the two sides is Taiwan's recognition of the "one China" principle and the "1992 consensus."

Goodbye to The Mainland By David Lague
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Feb. 7, 2002) A pro-independence drive to distance the island from the mainland may have helped force Beijing to reach out toward Taiwan's ruling party. The big risk for Taiwan is that at some time in the future, the mainland may feel it has no alternative but to crush Chen's egg before it hatches.

Trade Ties Taiwan to China's Leash By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Jan. 29, 2002) Since early 2001, President Jiang Zemin has asked his key advisers on Taiwan to come up with "fresh approaches" on how to speed up reunification, or at least curb the pro-independence proclivities of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian.

Taiwan President Hails Beijing's Olive Branch
(Agence France Presse, Jan. 28, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian remarks by Chinese authorities which he said demonstrated Beijing's understanding of the island's political realities. "We welcome and appreciate any statement or steps (made by China) which are helpful in improving, stabilizing and upgrading cross-strait relations."

China Urges Taiwan to Seize Chance for Talks By Brian Rhoads and Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, Jan. 25, 2002) Analysts said whether talks resumed depended on the response from Chen, pointedly shunned by Beijing since his election in 2000, and his government. China is also attempting to smooth over what could be the thorniest issue between the United States and China.

Taiwan Businessmen on Mainland More Aware of Political Boundaries
(Central News Agency, Dec. 31, 2001) Beijing's censorship of text books used in Taiwan's schools in mainland China and the formation of Chinese Communist cells in Taiwanese corporations in mainland China have driven home to Taiwanese businessmen the political risk of doing business across the Taiwan Strait.