Cross-Strait Issues

PRC: Policy and Documents

Text: 'The One-China Principle and the Taiwan Issue'
(New China News Agency, Feb. 21, 2000)

China Releases White Paper on Taiwan Issue
(People's Daily, Feb. 21, 2000)

Taiwan: Policy and Documents

Mainland Affairs Council mainland affairs documents, statistics on cross-strait exchange, cross-strait dialogue and negotiation, public opinion surveys

Taiwan Seen Increasingly Relying on Chinese Market for Exports
(AFP, Dec. 22, 2004) Taiwan's dependence on the Chinese market for exports could hit a record this year, highlighting the need to diversify the island's export markets if it is to scale down potential risks.

China's President Doesn't Raise Taiwan Issue in Macau Speech (AP, Dec. 20, 2004) Chinese President Hu Jintao didn't raise the touchy Taiwan issue Monday in his speech marking the fifth anniversary of Macau's return to Chinese rule.

China Says Chen Should Quit Separatist Drive
(Bloomberg, Dec. 15, 2004) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and his Democratic Progressive Party should give up on the Taiwan ''independence'' movement, a senior Chinese official said.

Cross-Strait Talks Need Academics: MAC
(Taipei Times, Dec. 5, 2004) The MAC proposed that Taiwan and China station their own academics on either side of the Strait to serve as a conduit for communication.

China Criticises Chen over Sun Yat Sen Snub
(Straits Times, Nov. 29, 2004) China has slammed Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's administration for calling Dr Sun Yat Sen a 'foreigner' and viewing China as an 'enemy country'.

China, Taiwan Hold Highest Level Talks in 12 Years
(Bloomberg, Nov. 22, 2004) China President Hu Jintao met Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's representative at an economic summit of APEC, the highest level talks between the two sides in 12 years.

Taiwan Boosts China Trade Ties
(BBC, Nov. 19, 2004) Taiwan plans to make it easier for Chinese businessmen and women to visit the island, the government in Taipei has announced.

China Rejects Chen's Peace Overtures
(Straits Times, Nov. 18, 2004) It slams his call for chartered flights and talks, and accuse him of being up to old tricks. Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office also slammed his latest call for resumption of cross-strait talks as a ploy to hide separatist activities.

Opposition Parties Seek to Create Panel for Cross-Strait Policy (TN, Oct. 30, 2004) People First Party introduced a bill that would create a cross-party panel to handle Taiwan's delicate ties with China.

Taiwan Urges China to Begin Peace Talks
(AP, Oct. 10, 2004) Taiwan's leader called for peace talks and other ''concrete actions'' to reduce tensions with rival China during a National Day speech. Chen said that the two sides could use a 1992 meeting in Hong Kong between the rivals' envoys as a model for a new round of talks.

No War Across Taiwan Strait Before 2008: President Chen
(AFP, Oct. 7, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian promised not to provoke China and forecast peace in the region before his second term expires in 2008.

Taiwan-China Trade up 40.1 Percent in First Seven Months
(AFP, Oct. 5, 2004) Two-way trade between Taiwan and China in the first seven months of the year reached 34.41 billion dollars, up 40.1 percent from a year ago.

Beijing Objects to Taiwan Plans for Using Name
(VOA, Sep. 15, 2004) China has lashed out at Taiwan after its leaders proposed using the name "Taiwan" more often than the island's official name - the Republic of China.

Beijing Denies Entry Permits to DPP Lawmakers' Aides
(Taiwan News, Sep. 6, 2004) A Taiwan legislative aide delegation was forced to cancel a plan to travel to mainland China recently after Beijing refused to issue "Taiwan compatriot certificates" or entry permits to some delegation members.

Taiwan-China Trade Soars
(AP, Aug. 30, 2004) Taiwan's exports to China increased 33 per cent to $US17.7 billion in the first five months of this year.

Taiwan’s Investments in China: Up 48%
(AFP, Aug. 21, 2004) Taiwan's investment in China in the first seven months of this year rose 48.2 per cent year-on-year to US$3.77 billion despite the tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

China Gives U.N. a Taiwan Warning
(Reuters, Aug. 16, 2004) China has written a rare letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, condemning Taiwan's most recent bid to join the world body and urging him to circulate it as a formal document among United Nations members.

MAC Chairman Says Nation's Policy Is Peace with China
(CNA, Aug. 8, 2004) Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Joseph Wu reaffirmed that the government's cross-Strait policy is one of peace, contradicting Vice President Annette Lu's claim a day earlier that Taiwan and China are now in a state of "quasi-war."

China, Taiwan Ratchet Up Rhetoric on Tensions
(Reuters, Aug. 7, 2004) China and Taiwan blamed each other for a dangerous escalation in tensions, underscoring the hostility between the arch foes and analysts' fears that the two might be heading for war.

Chen Warns of China 'Mandate' to Invade
(AFP, July 31, 2004) New reunification proposal could give Beijing a legal basis for People's Liberation Army attack on Taiwan, says a 'concerned' President Chen.

China 'Has No Timetable for Taiwan Reunion'
(Straits Times, July 30, 2004) Beijing official denies report saying China will attack Taipei within 20 years, but criticises its plans to buy more weapons.

Taiwan's Trade with China up 33.5 Percent in Jan-April
(AFP, June 30, 2004) Trade between Taiwan and China in the four months to April rose 33.5 percent from a year earlier to 18.35 billion dollars on the back of growing cross-strait investment.

Taiwan Aims to Ease Mainland Investment Rules
(Financial Times, June 28, 2004) Taiwan will relax restrictions on domestic companies' investments in China in an effort to boost its financial markets, according to the island's chief economic planner.

MAC Urges Beijing to Cease Moves to Intimidate Taiwan
(TN, June 19, 2004) The Mainland Affairs Council called on the government of the People's Republic of China to cease statements and actions that interfere with normal cross-strait interaction

China Says 'Most' Taiwan Businessmen Have Nothing to Fear
(AFP, June 15, 2004) China sought to reassure Taiwanese businessmen they would not suffer harassment for their political views, with a major state newspaper saying "most" of them had nothing to fear.

China Anti-Separatist Battle Targets Taiwan Pop Star
(Bloomberg. June 14, 2004) Taiwan pop singer A-mei canceled a performance in Hangzhou, after student protesters said entertainers who support Taiwan independence aren't welcome.

PRC Media Organization Allowed Taiwan Branch
(TN, June 9, 2004) The Mainland Affairs Council announced that it would allow another Chinese media organization to set up a branch in Taiwan, bringing the number of Taiwan-based Chinese media organizations to five.

PRC Approves Formosa Investment
(AFP, June 7, 2004) China has approved a steel mill investment by a Taiwanese tycoon who advocates stronger trade ties between the rivals, soon after Beijing stepped up its attacks on Taiwanese investors seen as having pro-independence leanings.

Taiwan to Soften Tone on Cross-Strait Issue
(CNA, June 6, 2004) The government will soften its tone and rhetoric on cross-Taiwan Strait issues, despite Beijing's increasingly hawkish verbal attacks on Taiwan's leadership and even its investors doing business in mainland China, political sources said.

Most Taiwanese Fear Economic Fallout from China's Hostility
(AFP, June 6, 2004) A majority of people in Taiwan fear Beijing's hostility towards pro-independence Taiwanese enterpreneurs in China would undermine the island's economic outlook.

Taiwan Risks Becoming Irrelevant: AmCham
(China Post, June 2, 2004) The American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei warned that Taiwan must open direct transport links with China or risk losing its status as one of the region's key economic players.

MAC Urges Beijing to Tone Down Aggressive Rhetoric
(China Post, May 25, 2004) The government's top China policy-making council called on Beijing to respond to President Chen Shui-bian's peace overtures but insisted the island had its own sovereign independent existence.

Pro-Independence Activists Press Chen to Drop Five Noes
(Taiwan News, May 14, 2004) With President Chen Shui-bian's inauguration less than a week away, pro-independence activists are pressing the president to ditch his "five noes pledge" despite pressure from Washington and Beijing.

Chen to Form Council for Cross-Strait Peace
(China Post, May 7, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian said he will create a council for peace across the Taiwan Strait and chair it himself.

Taiwan Appoints New Head of China Relations
(Reuters, May 7, 2004) Mr Joseph Wu, a political science professor who recently worked as a top aide to President Chen Shui-bian, will replace Ms Tsai Ing-wen as head of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC).

Bush and Goh Warn of Danger if Taiwan-China Ties Mismanaged (AFP, May 6, 2004) US President George W. Bush and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong warned of "grave consequences" if relations between China and Taiwan are not managed well.

'Secret Envoy' Story Is Myth
(Taipei Times, May 2, 2004) The Presidential Office says a news report about secret dealings with Beijing is a lie, but other sources claim secret contacts were made.

US Hopes for Early Resumption of Cross-Strait Dialogue: Official
(Central News Agency, Apr. 23, 2004) The United States hopes that both sides of the Taiwan Strait begin formal talks again soon, although it will not force Taiwan to go to the negotiating table, a U.S. official said.

U.S. Ready to See Change in China-Taiwan Status Quo
(Reuters, Apr. 22, 2004) Washington is not opposed to a change in the status quo involving arch foes Taiwan and China but any alteration must be peaceful and mutually agreed, a senior U.S. official said.

Chen Calls China an 'Empire'
(Taipei Times, Apr 21, 2004) The president said Beijing's 'one China' principle was a political myth that it was using to consolidate its power within a 'dictatorial empire.'

China Rejects Taiwan President's Overtures
(Reuters, Apr. 14, 2004) China rejected Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's peace overtures, saying they were aimed at cheating public opinion and that he was sabotaging relations.

Chen: 'One Peace' Is New Framework
(Taipei Times, Apr. 6, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian proposed a "one peace" principle as the framework for reopening the cross-strait dialogue and urged Beijing to give up its "one China" principle.

China Denounces Taiwan's Leader, Rejects Call for Talks
(WP, Apr. 1, 2004) China denounced President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan for continuing to insist the island is an independent country and rejected his offer to hold cross-strait talks without preconditions as deceitful.

Chinese Economists Urge Sweeping Trade Deal with Taiwan
(AFP, Mar. 15, 2004) Leading Chinese economists want a sweeping trade deal with Taiwan but argue an agreement will be meaningless unless the island accepts direct transportation links with the mainland.

Taiwan Government: China Became Largest Trade Partner In 2003
(Dow Jones, Mar. 11, 2004) China surpassed the U.S. and Japan to become Taiwan's largest trading partner in 2003, as trade between the two rose 23.8% on year to US$46.32 billion, Taiwan's Bureau of Foriegn Trade said.

China Overtakes US and Japan in Trade with Taiwan
(Reuters, Mar. 3, 2004) China has outgunned the United States and Japan to emerge as Taiwan's leading trade partner. Indirect trade between Taiwan and China rose 23.8 per cent year-on-year to US$46.32 billion last year.

Peace Framework Needed to Prevent Straits War: Chen Says
(China Post, Jan. 23, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian remarked that a peace framework should be built in order to prevent war across the Taiwan Strait and to prevent Taiwan from being diminished into a local government, the second Hong Kong.

Chen's 'Beijing Memo' Sparks Row over Mainland Ties
(China Post, Jan. 20, 2004) The source and authenticity of an old memo note on cross-strait relations produced by President Chen Shui-bian sparked a guessing game as well as speculation from the two major political camps.

Taiwan President Urges China Peace
(Reuters, Jan. 1, 2004) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has called for rival China to jointly pursue peace, toning down rhetoric one day after Beijing condemned him for saying he was waging a "holy war" against the mainland.

Policy of Constraint Is a Tug of War By Nat Bellocchi
(Taipei Times, Nov 25, 2004) For those interested in the US' relationship with Taiwan and China, there is the perennial tug of war between those who claim to be "realists" and those who see "values" as most important in pursuing national interests.

Taiwan: Falling Into China's Embrace By Brian Bremner
(BusinessWeek, Nov. 29, 2004) What can Taiwan do? Build its own base of prosperity, and play for time -- the longer it can avoid China's embrace, the longer China has to become more democratic and prosperous itself. But an independent Taiwan? The game is not going that way.

President Chen Taking High Road By Tung Chen-yuan
(Taipei Times, Nov. 17, 2004) From his Double Ten National Day speech to the recent 10 points, Chen's strategy in the triangular Taiwan-China-US relationship is obviously to combat China's "dark forces" with Taiwan's "sunshine policy."

Chen Sends Mixed Signals But Taiwan Agenda Is Clear By Lawrence Chung (Straits Times, Nov. 12, 2004) President revises his stand on China link and troop numbers; critics say it's a ploy.

Strait Talk
(TIME Asia, Nov. 15, 2004)TIME meets with Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian, who talks of cross-strait relations

No Easy Fix for Thorny Cross-Strait Situation By Dennis Hickey
(Taipei Times, Sep. 27, 2004) For China this is not a matter of foreign policy. From the Taiwanese perspective, however, China tends increasingly to be considered as an aggressive and hostile foreign power.

Concern over Taiwan Plan to Revamp Cross-Strait Body By Ong Hwee Hwee (Straits Times, Sep. 17, 2004)By placing it under the Cabinet, Chen may be subtly trying to achieve parity with the Taiwan Affairs Office, say analysts

Hong Kong-PRC Pact Seen Affecting Taiwan Companies
(CNA, Aug. 30, 2004) Taiwan companies will have to deal with greater competition from next year because of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement signed by mainland China with Hong Kong and Macau.

New Status Quo Needs New Politics By Nat Bellocchi
(Taipei Times, Aug. 27, 2004) In assessing the state of cross-strait relations, we find the US struggling to maintain the status quo. In this unsettled atmosphere, policies have become outdated and need to be reviewed.

Political Ice Dents Economic Ties By Xing Zhigang
(China Daily, Aug. 16, 2004) Economic and trade exchanges across the Straits have surprisingly boomed over the past two decades despite political ups and downs.

Collateral Damage By Jason Dean
(Far Eastern Economic Review, July 29, 2004) China may be taking its feelings to a new level, threatening the president's allies who do business on the mainland with unspecified reprisals if they continue their support.

Taiwanese Gold Rush to China By Sam Ng
(Asia Times, June 30, 2004) Ever since the Taiwan presidential elections and their tumultuous aftermath in March, political uncertainty, despite generally good business news, has generated a mass emigration to the mainland.

Sanctions Against Taiwan Might Do China More Harm Than Good, Analysts Warn (AFP, June 27, 2004) Despite China's mounting calls for economic sanctions to prevent Taiwan drifting away from the "motherland", Beijing is unlikely to adopt dramatic measures which analysts say might do it more harm than good.

Taiwan Sends China Goodwill, Hopes to Avoid War By Tiffany Wu (Reuters, June 15, 2004) Taiwan must be careful not to provoke China and should make goodwill gestures to reduce tension and ensure Beijing has no pretext to attack the island, Taipei's top mainland policy maker said.

Chinese Mood Against Taipei Independence Growing By Goh Sui Noi (Straits Times, June 15, 2004) The student protests against Taiwanese singer's performance in Hangzhou indicate that anti- Taiwan independence sentiments among the Chinese are growing stronger.

'Prudence' and Cross-Strait Ties By Nat Bellocchi
(Taipei Times, June 7, 2004) What is needed most is some ideas that might help address problems -- a better way of communicating with each other in particular.

Beijing Urged to Get Tougher with Taipei
(Straits Times, June 3, 2004) Chinese scholars call for military, political and economic preparations to show Taiwan that China means business.

At Arms Length: China's Move to Further Isolate Taiwan By Willy Lam (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, May 27, 2004) Assuming that President Chen Shui-bian sticks to the pledges he made in his May 20 inauguration speech, the possibility of armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait seems to have subsided for the time being.

Time for a Cross-Strait Framework By Tung Chen-yuan and Hsu Szu-chien (Taipei Times, May 27, 2004) Governments on both sides of the Taiwan Strait must seek to resolve structural problems to break the vicious circle of mutual antagonism.

Map for a Cross-Strait Breakthrough By Ralph Cossa
(Taipei Times, May 26, 2004) If there is to be any hope for a breakthrough in cross-strait relations during the next four years, Beijing needs to pursue a more imaginative, flexible, pro-active approach.

Relationship With Taiwan Remains Tense, China Warns By Edward Cody (Washington Post, May 25, 2004) The Chinese government declared that, unlike the Bush administration, it is far from reassured by President Chen Shui-bian's outline for his next four-year term as leader of Taiwan.

Seeking Stability in the Taiwan Strait By Jing-dong Yuan
(Asia Times, May 22, 2004) For the short- to medium-term, the best chance for cross-Strait peace and stability remains cool-headed handling of the complex triangular relationships and resistance to unilateral actions.

Bush to Chen: Don't Risk It By Susan V. Lawrence
(Far Eastern Economic Review, May 20, 2004) The message: Make clear that Taiwan is not moving towards independence, or risk losing American support. The first test of whether Chen is listening will be his inaugural speech.

Taiwan Separatists Courting Danger
(China Daily, May 14, 2004) Based on observation of what Chen did during his four years in office, the mainland has concluded the Taiwan leader is a diehard pro-independence member.

Walking a Tightrope in Taiwan Strait By Frank Ching
(Business Times, Apr. 28, 2204) Taiwan, alone, seems confident that it has nothing to fear. In fact, so sure is Taiwan of American support that it has substantially reduced defence spending for well over a decade.

China Misreads Chen Reform Plan
(Editorial, Liberty Times, Apr 18, 2004) Taiwan's independence is the reality of the status quo. There is no need for any so-called "Taiwan independence" timetable to prove what is already a fact.

Beijing Needs to Prepare for the Worst on Taiwan
(Editorial, China Post, Apr. 18, 2004) Beijing must now face a harsh reality — that the regime has no "silver bullet" to prevent Taiwan from drifting further from the mainland.

Heading Off the Next War By David M. Lampton and Kenneth Lieberthal (Washington Post, Apr. 12, 2004) The reality is that there is no final resolution to cross-strait issues that the two sides are likely to be able to reach peacefully for decades. The major effort, therefore, should shift to establishing a stable framework across the strait for a long period -- counted not in years but in decades.

Taiwan, China Resume Pre-Election Antagonism By Michael A. Lev (Chicago Tribune, Apr. 5, 2004) The presidential election is in the recount phase, but the normal rhythm of political life in Taiwan already has returned. That means sniping with archrival China.

Cross-Strait Ties Likely to Stabilize By Tung Chen-yuna
(Taipei Times, Mar. 31, 2004) During his campaign, Chen pointed out that future constitutional reforms will be carried out on the basis of "maintaining the status quo" as well as the "five noes."

Taiwan Pushed to Verge of War: Su Chi
(China Post, Mar. 31, 2004) Su said the main thrust of Chen’s interview is: "Unless the United States must stand sentry over waters off Taiwan 24 hours a day, the people of Taiwan must be 'prepared' (for war.)"

Is Mainland's Huge Market a Boon or Bane for Taiwan?
(Editorial, China Post, Feb. 29, 2004) It would be a boon for Taiwan's economy if cooperation could replace confrontation in cross-strait economic relations after the crucial election.

PRC Needs to Show Flexibility on Cross-Strait Ties: U.S. Scholars By Chris Cockel (China Post, Feb. 13, 2004) If the government in Beijing wants to stand any chance of winning the hearts and minds of the island's people, "China is eventually going to have to reach out to Taiwan," Bonnie Glaser said.

Beijing's Secret Cross-Strait Diplomacy By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Jan. 21, 2004) The 'secret message' which Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian claimed China passed to Taipei four years ago reminds people of a similar episode in the early 1990s when his predecessor Lee Teng-hui sent secret envoys to Beijing.

China and Taiwan on Collision Course By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Jan. 9, 2004) Taipei to print new maps that omit mainland China, a move seen as a bid to create a separate new state. Beijing enacts law to conscript civilian transport in times of war, a move seen as preparing for military mobilization.

W T O Issue