W T O Issue 

Three Links and Cross-Strait Contacts

 "One Country on Each Side" Statement

Anti-Secession Law

Opposition Visit to China

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

 ~ 2001 ; 2002 ; 2003 ; 2004 ; 2005

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

Cross-Strait Visits via 'Mini Links' Up 18%
(Central News Agency, Dec. 31, 2006) People from both side of Taiwan Strait made 278,000 visits via the "mini three links" in the first 10 months of this year, an increase of 18.3 percent over the same period of last year.

Taiwan OKs $825M Investment in China
(AP, Dec. 20, 2006) Taiwan has given approval for three semiconductor companies to invest a combined $825 million in China, in a sign the island's government is softening its long-standing opposition to high-tech investment by local firms in its political rival.

Beijing Announces Charter Flight Plans
(China Post, Dec. 14, 2006) Charter flights across the Taiwan Strait during the Lunar New Year holidays will kick off Feb. 5 for a duration of 28 days, when there will be a total of 96 flights between such mainland cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen and such Taiwanese cities as Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Survey Reveals Taiwanese National Sentiment Strong
(Taipei Times, Dec. 14, 2006) A survey released suggests that a clear majority of the population think of themselves as Taiwanese rather than Chinese. The survey showed that 57.8 percent of respondents identified themselves as Taiwanese and only 15.8 percent as Chinese. The remaining 16.8 percent consider themselves both Taiwanese and Chinese.

DPP and TSU Block Easing of Investments
(China Post, Dec. 5, 2006) The ruling party and its ally successfully blocked a proposal to ease rules on Taiwan investments in China. The Mainland Affairs Council said there is still a need to build consensus on the controversial issue.

Taiwan-China Trade Up 16.9% in 9 Months
(AFP, Nov. 29, 2006) Bilateral trade between Taiwan and China in the nine months to September rose 16.9 percent from the same period last year to US$64.44 billion, the Board of Foreign Trade said.

Mainland, Taiwan to Launch Undergraduate Exchange Program
(Xinhua, Nov. 27, 2006) Six prestigious mainland universities will launch an undergraduate exchange program with "National Taiwan University" (NTU) next year, according to NTU President Si-Chen Lee.

Taiwan to Ease Curbs on China Chip Investment
(Reuters, Nov. 17, 2006 ) Taiwan is finalizing plans to allow chip makers to build factories in China that will use advanced manufacturing technology, sending shares in the island's top semiconductor makers higher.

Taiwan, China Clash at APEC
(Taipei Times, Nov 16, 2006) Taiwan's APEC delegate lashed out at a Chinese delegate's comment during the APEC ministerial meeting that only "sovereign countries" had the right to sign free trade pacts.

China May Set Up Association for Taiwanese Businessmen
(Straits Times, Nov. 16, 2006) China said yesterday it would consider setting up a business association at the national level for mainland-based Taiwanese businessmen so as to draw cross-strait economic ties even closer.

China Arrests 2 Taiwan Businessmen on Spying Charges
(Bloomberg, Nov. 15, 2006) China said it detained two Taiwan businessmen on espionage charges, three months after it confirmed it executed a high-ranking Chinese pension fund of ficial for spying for the island.

Taiwan Eases Restrictions on Civil Servants Visiting China
(AFP, Oct. 21, 2006) Taiwan has relaxed controls on visits to mainland China by middle and lower ranking civil servants and police. A rule decreeing government employees visit China only for family reunions was removed Thursday, but they would be required to travel in groups.

China Woos Taiwan's Farmers with Incentives
(Straits Times, Oct. 18, 2006) Beijing pledged financial support and minimal red tape to encourage Taiwanese farmers to invest in the mainland, the latest move in its charm offensive towards the island.

China Urged to Hold Government-to-Government Farm Talks with Taiwan (CNA, Oct. 17, 2006) Several lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) urged China to hold government-to-government talks with Taiwan on cross-strait agricultural exchanges.

Six Chinese Tourists Die as Bus Crashes
(China Post, Oct. 3, 2006) A bus carrying Chinese tourists from northeastern China fell from a mountain road into a deep valley in central Taiwan, killing six and injuring 19 others, police said.

Cross-Strait Moon Fest Charter Flights Start
(China Post, Sep. 30, 2006) EVA Airways took the lead to kick off Mid-Autumn Festival direct cross-Taiwan Strait charter flight services with a Taipei-Shanghai round-trip flight.

Cross-Strait Flight Brings 14 Injured Tourists Home
(Taipei Times, Sep 20, 2006) A cross-strait medical charter flight carrying 42 passengers arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The Mainland Affairs Council approved cross-strait flights for medical and humanitarian purposes in June.

Cross-Strait Trade Up 22 pct in First Eight Months
(People’s Daily, Sep. 17, 2006) The two-way trade between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan reached 68.65 billion U.S. dollars in the first eight month of this year, up nearly 22 percent from a year earlier, statistics show.

Increasing China-Bound Investments from Taiwan Seen as Irreversible (Agence France Presse, Sep. 12, 2006) A trend of increasing China-bound investments from Taiwan is irreversible as the mainland's strong economic growth has become formidable force in the world economy, analysts said.

Taiwan Allies Accuse China of Expansion
(AP, Sep. 8, 2006) Taiwan's allies accused China of expanding its arsenal of missiles aimed at Taiwan in readiness for an invasion and urged the United Nations to step in and promote a peaceful dialogue between the two parties.

AmCham and TSU Spar on China Ties
(Taipei Times, Sep. 5, 2006) The American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (AmCham) struck a nerve with the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) because of an editorial in the latest edition of its monthly magazine, in which the chamber used unusually harsh language to criticize the government's cross-strait policies.

Taiwan’s Trade Surplus With China Hit New High of US$18.11 B. in First Half (China Economic News Service, Sept. 4, 2006) Taiwan’s trade surplus with mainland China hit a record high of US$18.11 billion in the first half of this year, according to the statistics released by the Bureau of Foreign Trade.

Taiwanese to Invest More in China: Survey
(AFP, Sep. 2, 2006) More Taiwan investors in China plan to expand their investments there, to benefit from lower production costs and gain access to the growing mainland market, a survey showed.

MAC Slams Beijing for Ignoring Official Channels over Visit Plan
(China Post, Aug. 31, 2006) Taipei sent a letter to Beijing demanding talks for arranging a visit from its top Taiwan policy maker Chen Yunlin and chastising the Communist power for ignoring their official channels for communication.

China Still Wants to Send Official to Taiwan
(AFP, Aug. 29, 2004) China restated its wish to send a senior government official, Chen Yunlin, on a landmark visit to Taiwan, despite the island's refusal less than a month ago.

Ma Raps China for Seizing Taiwan Flags
(China Post, Aug. 28, 2006) Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou lodged a protest against China for seizing national flags from two of Taipei's delegates at the International Children's Games being held in Bangkok, Thailand.

New Body to Handle China Tourist Issues
(China Post, Aug. 26, 2006) In a major step towards opening up Taiwan's tourist market to Chinese visitors, the government yesterday announced it will set up a new semi-official organization, "Taiwan Strait Tourism Association," for handling issues relating to Chinese tourism.

KMT to Hold Forums in China on Protection of Investors
(AFP, Aug. 22, 2006) A delegation, to be led by KMT vice chairman Chiang Ping-kun, will holds talks with representatives from Taiwan's investor associations on September 15-16 in Chengdu of the central Sichuan province.

AIT Director Young Urges Premier Su to Boost Cross-Strait Economic Relations (Taipei Times, Aug 17, 2006) American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Stephen Young urged Premier Su Tseng-chang to loosen restrictions on economic ties with China.

China Executes Official for Spying for Taiwan
(Reuters, Aug. 7, 2006) A Chinese government official has been executed for spying for Taiwan, and thousands of civil servants have been shown an "educational" video of the case as a warning.

China Humiliated Us Deliberately, Says Taiwan Govt
(Straits Times, Aug. 7, 20060 Taiwan accused China of deliberately humiliating it after an African ally switched recognition to Beijing just when the island's premier was about to visit the country. The Taiwan government is likely to retaliate by blocking the proposed landmark trip of Mr Chen, director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office.

US Views TAO Official Visit as a Favorable Move
(Taipei Times, Aug 5, 2006 ) The US would look favorably on a visit to Taiwan by the head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), Chen Yunlin, but would also continue to press Beijing to open dialogue directly with the Chen Shui-bian government, a State Department official said.

MAC Calls for Talks to Pave Way for Beijing Official's Visit
(China Post, Aug. 5, 2006) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stepped up calls for official talks with Beijing to pave the way for a visit from the communist power's top Taiwan policy maker Chen Yunlin, who has been invited here by an opposition party.

Visit by Beijing Official Should Be Based on Respect: Premier
(CNA, Aug. 4, 2006) Premier Su Tseng-chang said that the decision on whether to allow China's head of Taiwan affairs to visit the country would hinge on the principles of reciprocity and mutual respect.

Taipei Trip for China's Taiwan Affairs Official
(Straits Times, Aug. 3, 2006) China announced that its top bureaucrat on Taiwan affairs plans to visit the island in October for an agricultural forum co-organized by his office with Taiwan's main opposition party.

Taiwan Opens Door Wider to Some Visitors from China
(Straits Times, Aug. 2, 2006) Taiwan said that it would soon ease a quota on Chinese travelling to the island on business trips, addressing a long-standing demand of multinational corporations in the island.

'Other Opinions' Rule Economic Summit
(Taipei Times, July 29, 2006) No major accords on cross-strait economic relations were reached on the second and last day of the Conference on Sustaining Taiwan's Economic Development, participants left just enough room for suggestions on easing the China-bound investment ceiling to be debated by the Cabinet.

Chen Warns Against China Bias in Taiwan's Economic Policy
(AFP, July 28, 2004) Taiwan should not put all its economic eggs in the China basket, President Chen Shui-bian warned, as the island opened a key government-sponsored forum to map its economic direction.

China Investment Cap Ineffective: Wu
(TT, July 16, 2006) The policy that bans Taiwanese firms from investing more than 40 percent of their net value in China has come under intense scrutiny, with many government officials concluding that it has been ineffective.

China Boosts Aid, Incentives to Taiwan
(China Post, July 10, 2006) Beijing agreed to provide loans exclusively directed at small Taiwan businesses and Taiwan-funded agricultural companies in China, according to a KMT official.

Abducted Coast Guards Freed
(China Post, July 3, 2006) Two Taiwanese coast guards, who were allegedly abducted by the crew of a Chinese fishing boat, were released after extensive unofficial negotiations between Taiwan and China.

Taiwan, China Hold First Round of Talks at WTO
(CNA, June 24, 2005) Taiwan's and China's delegations to the World Trade Organization have held their first round of negotiations on Taipei's plan to impose safeguard measures against towel imports from China. The talks mark the first between the two sides under the WTO framework since late 2002.

China Rebukes Taiwan over National Security Report
(Reuters, May 31, 2006) China rebuked Taiwan for a national security report that said the mainland could avert looming social chaos by learning from the island's transformation into a democracy.

U.S. Asks Taiwan to End China Trade Limits
(AP, May 27, 2006) The deputy U.S. trade representative called on Taiwan to lift its restrictions on trade with rival China, saying the island was putting its own businesses at a disadvantage.

China Plans Port Complex Near Taiwan: Report
(AP, May 9, 20060 China has plans for a major new port project on its south-eastern coast near Taiwan, a step towards what it hopes will be 'free trade' with the island, state media reported.

Former Premier Does Not Rule Out Traveling to China
(China Post, Apr. 23, 2006) Former Premier Frank Hsieh said he would not rule out the possibility of visiting China although he does not have plans to do so at present.

Taiwan Welcomes Bush Remarks
(Taipei Times, Apr. 22, 2006) Although the nation was not a major topic of discussion at the Bush-Hu summit, Taiwanese officials were happy with President Bush's comments.

Premier Urges Review of PRC Perks Based on Taiwan's Interests
(Taiwan News, Apr. 20, 2006) Premier Su Tseng-chang stated that the administration should consider "from a Taiwan-centric standpoint" proposals for liberalizations of cross-strait economic ties from a just-concluded "cross-strait trade and economic forum" between the opposition Kuomintang and China's ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Taiwan Says Beijing Offer 'Poison,' Snubs 'One China Principle'
(AFP, Apr. 17, 2006) Taiwan's ruling party has rejected a new peace overture from China as "poison" aimed at undermining the island's government and leading to eventual reunification with the mainland.

Hu: Taiwan Pro-Separation Forces a Threat
(AP, Apr. 17, 2006) Chinese President Hu Jintao called for new talks with rival Taiwan and warned that the island's independence advocates remained the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan strait.

China, Taiwan Should Resume Talks Soonest: Hu
(Reuters, Apr. 16, 2006) Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Jintao called for talks between China and Taiwan as soon as possible to maintain peace in the region.

Beijing Offers Taiwan New Benefits
(China Post, Apr. 16, 2006) Beijing announced a series of new measures benefiting people from Taiwan and offered more trade concessions to the island, including tariff cuts on imports of its fish and more fruit and vegetables.

Taiwan's Leader Sees 'Evil' China Intentions
(International Herald Tribune, Apr. 15, 2006) The dialogue between the Communists and the Kuomintang "is a cover for China's evil intentions," Chen said in Taipei.

Lien and Jia Call for Closer Cross-Strait Ties
(China Post, Apr. 15, 2006) Jia Qinglin, a top-ranking member of China's ruling hierarchy, joined Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang, in calling for closer ties across the Taiwan Strait.

Lien: Taiwan Needs China Market
(AP, Apr. 14, 2006) Taiwan's former opposition leader has called for closer economic ties with rival China, warning that the self-ruled island can't succeed without the mainland's markets and factories.

Taipei Tempts Beijing with Tourism Offer, Charter Flights
(Straits Times, Apr. 14, 2006) Taipei hopes to reach an agreement with Beijing within six months on non-stop charter flights and letting mainland tourists visit the island, said its top official on cross-strait matters.

Taiwan Takes on China in WTO
(International Herald Tribune, Apr. 5, 2006) The embattled towel makers from Yunlin County in southern Taiwan have worked to curb imports from the mainland, forcing trade authorities from China to negotiate directly with Taiwan.

Taiwan Rebuffs China's Panda Diplomacy
(AFP, Apr. 1, 2006) Taiwan rejected China's gift of two giant pandas, its first public rebuff of the mainland's so-called "panda diplomacy." The announcement came a week after Taiwan's independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian urged Chinese leaders to keep pandas in their natural habitat.

Premier Says Ma's Cross-Strait Ideas Are Not Feasible
(Taipei Times, Mar 27, 2006) Premier Su Tseng-chang said that although KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou had been able to promote himself while overseas, he had failed to offer a workable proposal on cross-strait issues.

Gov't Tightens Its Grip on China Investments
(China Post, Mar. 23, 2006) The government yesterday introduced measures to reduce Taiwan's economic reliance on China, toughen rules governing investment in the mainland and crack down on smuggling.

Taiwan's Ma Vows to Maintain Status Quo with China
(Reuters, Mar. 23, 2006) Taiwan's main opposition leader and potential presidential front-runner vowed to uphold the status quo with China, rejecting both independence and early unification with the communist-ruled mainland.

Ma Says Dialogue with China Would Help Avoid Trouble
(CNA, Mar 22, 2006) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou suggested at a conference that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait resume talks in order to avoid confrontation and mutual antagonism.

Taipei Urges Less Mainland Business
(Financial Times, Mar. 11, 2006) Taiwan's government is encouraging the island's companies to invest less in China and more in other emerging markets, as part of its efforts to stem increasing economic dependence on the mainland.

Taiwan-China Status Quo Should Stay Same, says Ma
(Taiwan News, Feb. 20, 2006) Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou insisted morning that Taiwan should maintain the status quo with China and stop fighting over the unification vs. independence issue.

Taiwan and China Must Work for Peace, Ma Says
(CNA, Feb. 19, 2006) After years of tensions, it is time for Taiwan and China to work towards a resolution for peace, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou said in the Belgian capital.

Ma Proposes Taiwan-China Common Market
(China Post, Feb. 15, 2006) Opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou said in London that Taiwan and China should work towards setting up a common market, an idea that was immediately shot down by economists and pro-independence politicians here.

China Remains Taiwan's Largest Export Market
(CNA, Feb. 9, 2006) China and Hong Kong remained Taiwan's largest export market in 2005, taking in 37.8 percent of the country's total exports for the year, the Bureau of Foreign Trade reported.

Taiwan’s Stricter China Policy Unwelcomed by Firms
(Reuters, Feb. 7, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian urged Taiwan companies to reduce their reliance on the Chinese market and invest more on the island, but his views met skepticism from local investors.

China Blocking Taiwan's WHO Observer Status, MOFA Says
(China Post, Jan. 29, 2006) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a condemnation of China's effort to block a proposal by Taiwan's allies to allow Taiwan to attend a World Health Assembly (WHA) session in May.

New Tide Worrying About Cross-Strait Miscalculation
(CNA, Jan 23, 2006) A study carried out by a major faction of the Democratic Progressive Party concluded that there is a high likelihood of Taiwan and China misreading each other's intentions and actions -- to the detriment of cross-strait stability.

New Taipei Vice-PM is Tough on China
(AP, Jan. 21, 2006) The former head of the China policy agency will be the next vice-premier, the premier-designate said yesterday - a move that may maintain Taiwan's tough stance on China.

Now Boarding - Direct Taiwan-China Holiday Flights By Alice Hung
(Reuters, Jan. 17, 2006) Charter flights between Taiwan and China begin on Friday, ferrying tens of thousands of Taiwan people to the mainland for the Lunar New Year holiday, but permanent air links seem as far off as ever. 

Hu Jintao Courts Taiwanese Business
(Reuters, Jan. 15, 20060 China’s President Hu Jintao courted Taiwanese investors on the mainland on Saturday, driving his government’s efforts to win support for its reunification claims over Taiwan.

Taipei Flexes Muscle on Cross-Strait Investment
(Bloomberg, Jan. 12, 2006) Prosecutors crack down on companies in breach of legal trading limits. observers believe a high-profile crackdown on UMC might be the most efficient deterrent available to the government.

New Policy Aims to Counter PRC Strategy
(TT, Jan. 11, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian's New Year address stressing the new principles of "active management, effective opening" is Taiwan's pragmatic response to China's establishment of the "Anti-Secession" Law last year, National Security Council Secretary-General Chiou I-jen, said.

Taipei Sees Beijing Strategy as Threat
(Financial Times, Jan. 10, 2006) Tensions across the Taiwan Strait are rising because of China’s attempts to marginalize the island’s government by engaging directly with opposition parties, Taipei’s top national security official said.

Panda Deal Unlikely, Says Taiwan Premier
(AP, Jan. 10, 2006) Taiwanese Premier Frank Hsieh said the island was unlikely to accept the offer of two pandas from the mainland because doing so could undermine Taiwanese sovereignty.

Chen Warns Against Dependence on PRC
(Taiwan News, Jan. 10, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian warned against heavy economic dependence on China, saying the trend of globalization should not be equated with pumping money into a land that is hostile toward Taiwan.

Opposition Chief to Press Taipei for China Link
(Financial Times, Jan. 9, 2006) Taiwan's opposition leader has pledged to force the government to work towards direct transport links with China, in an attempt to grab the initiative on a policy the island's president is also counting on to regain support.

Ma Proposes Referendum on Direct Flights
(Straits Times, Jan. 7, 2006) Taiwan opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou says he will press for a referendum on direct cross-strait flights if legislative efforts to lift restrictions on transport links with China fail.

China Gift of Pandas ‘an Insult’ to Taiwan
(Financial Times, Jan. 6 2006) Officials in Taipei accused Beijing of “disrespect” and “pro-unification political warfare” after it announced it would give Taiwan a pair of pandas.

China Slams Taiwan's Chen, Offers Two Pandas
(Reuters, Jan. 6, 2006) China offered two pandas to Taiwan today as a token of peace, but in the same breath accused President Chen Shui-bian of ratcheting up tensions with his support for formal independence for the self-ruled island.

US Expects Chen to Uphold Cross-Strait 'Status Quo'
(CNA, Jan. 3, 2006) Washington expects President Chen Shui-bian to stick to his commitments on cross-strait relations, including not changing the "status quo," in promoting future constitutional reforms.

Taiwan Chief Seeks More Arms, Not Better Ties to China
(NYT, Jan. 2, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan called for increased arms purchases and warned against greater economic ties to mainland China, in a televised speech that silenced months of speculation that he might soon seek to improve relations across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's Chen Signals Tighter Policy Towards China
(Reuters, Jan. 1, 20060 Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian signaled a tightening stance towards China as he warned his people of investment risks in the mainland and growing military ambition by the island's political foe.

Taiwan Leader Still Plans Referendum
(AP, Jan. 1, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian pledged to push for a new constitution for Taiwan in his last two years in office despite warnings from China and growing domestic opposition.

Chen Sends Unclear New Year Message
(China Post, Jan. 2, 2006) No one seems to know exactly what message President Chen Shui-bian wants to deliver in his New Year address. Probably the only one signal the president sent clearly was an aside he made chiding his own premier Su Tseng-chang.

What Follows a War with China?
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Dec. 23, 2006) Of prime concern is the certainty that a postwar administration would quickly earn the contempt -- then hatred -- of most Taiwanese, a situation mirroring that of 60 years ago. If China wishes to proceed with this scenario, it had better be prepared to crush dissent ruthlessly and so destroy its uncertain international reputation.

Cross-Strait Travel to Boost Economy, Council Says
(Taiwan News, Dec. 7, 2006) The government's decision to open direct visits to Taiwan by mainland Chinese tourists is expected to boost Taiwan's economy or gross domestic product by 0.1 percent.

Taiwan Firms Seek New Frontiers in China's West
(Reuters, Nov. 8, 2006) Since the 1990s, Taiwan's businesses have been flocking to eastern provinces such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong, opening everything from restaurants and spas to high-tech chip-making and mobile phone factories.

The Need for a Peace Accord By Su Chi
(China Times, October 27, 2006) In order to maintain the “no independence, no use of force” framework, it is imperative that some sort of “peace accord” is to be established. Its essential role cannot be replaced by some “low politics” agreements. Needless to say, this has to be a gradual process. A host of conjunctive arrangements have to be made.

Cross-Strait Policy Based on Reciprocity: Su
(Central News Agency, Oct. 21, 2006) The government has adopted a positive and open attitude and the principle of reciprocity in dealing with issues such as opening cross-Taiwan Strait tourism and direct transport links as well as allowing Taiwan's financial sector to set up operations in China, Premier Su Tseng-chang said.

China Woos Taiwan's Remaining African Allies
(Straits Times, Oct. 19, 2006) China is hoping to leverage on its growing clout in Africa to win over Taiwan's five remaining diplomatic allies on the continent at an upcoming forum. This attempt comes soon after Beijing successfully wooed Chad to its side in August.

Taiwan Faces Up to Beijing Games Issues
(Reuters, Oct. 3, 2006) As the clock ticks down to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Taiwan faces a series of issues raised by its unusual political situation, from how to stage a stop on the island for the torch relay to the safety of its athletes.

Taiwan: Catalyst for Change in China By Fei-Ling Wang
(Christian Science Monitor, Sep. 19, 2006) The Taiwan story of economic growth and political change should be considered a great success story for all Chinese, on and off the island. Unfortunately, the Taiwan story has been grossly discounted and marginalized by leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

AmCham Defends Stance on Criticism from TSU and Lee
(China Post, Sep. 5, 2006) The executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (AmCham) Richard Vuylsteke stood by an editorial in the chamber's magazine critical of the hard line pro-independence Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU).

KMT Head's China Policy Stirs Debate
(Straits Times, Aug. 12, 2006) Taiwan opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou's ambiguous policy towards China sparked a debate among several mainland and Taiwanese scholars at a seminar in Beijing.

'Little Chance' Taiwan Will Let Top China Cross-Strait Official Visit (Straits Times, Aug. 10, 2006) The chances of a top Chinese official visiting Taiwan in October are practically zero unless the island's premier takes a major political gamble and departs from President Chen Shui-bian's hardline stance towards the mainland

Taipei Economic Forum Fails to Reach Consensus
(Straits Times, July 29, 2006) A high-profile economic pow-wow meant to set the future direction of Taiwan's economy has been marred by intense politicking. It has failed to produce a clear consensus, especially over the most important issue - how to tap the island's burgeoning commercial links with mainland China.

Taiwan Companies Fail to Get Support for More China Investments  (Bloomberg, July 28, 2006) Taiwan companies failed to persuade a government economic forum to allow them to invest more in China after a pro-independence political party threatened to withdraw its support for President Chen Shui-bian's cabinet.

China Shadow over Taiwan’s Economic Debate
(BBC News, July 27, 2007) A two-day economic forum has opened in Taiwan aiming to chart a course for the island's economic development over the next decade. Economic links with China, has raised the most controversy.

Taiwan's Each-Way Bet with Chinese By Rowan Callick
(The Australian, July 24, 2006) After being mired in a succession of scandals, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has overseen two historic, if contradictory, events. The first was Taiwan's Han Kuang (Chinese Glory) military exercise, the island state's biggest war games for 20 years.

More China Managers Heading for Taiwan
(Los Angeles Times, July 22, 2006) As China's wealth and economic clout expand, a growing number of mainland-born managers are turning up on Taiwan's shores, many as captains of industry. But businesses complain that Taipei govt is keeping a tight rein on visas.

China's Shift Poses New Challenges: Academic By Chang Yun-ping
(TT, July 15, 2006) Chinese foreign policy under the leadership of President Hu Jintao has undergone a major paradigm shift, with a new focus on "soft" economic and cultural power instead of military might, a former top defense official said yesterday.

Good Relations with China Help Taiwan's Foreign Ties: Ma
(China Post, May 12, 2006) Mayor of Taipei Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday Taiwan has to have good relations with China, if President Chen Shui-bian wants diplomacy to succeed.

Taiwan Is Not a Trouble-Maker, Ma Says
(China Post, May 9, 2006) Taiwan isn't a trouble-maker, Mayor of Taipei Ma Ying-jeou said in Singapore. Rather, it is a peace-maker. Ma said China does not have to fear a change in the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

Hu Jintao's U.S. Visit
(China Post, Editorial, Apr. 24, 2006) Chinese President Hu Jintao completed a successful four-day visit to the United States on Friday. It wasn't a state visit, but Hu visited Washington and met with President George W. Bush for the first time in his capacity as China's head of state.

Keeping China Quiet By George Wehrfritz and Jonathan Adams
(Newsweek International, May 1, 2006) Hu may not be as skittish about Taiwan these days as he has been in years past. Beijing has maintained a fairly constant stream of invective against the island's pro-independence president, Chen Shui-bian, ever since he was elected in 2000. But as Hu no doubt recognizes, Taiwan's complex political dynamics might be turning in the mainland's favor.

Be Proactive with Cross-Strait Policy By Tung Chen-yuan
(Taipei Times, Apr. 21, 2006) Last Saturday, before the economic and trade forum between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ended, the director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Chen Yunlin, announced a package of 15 policy measures to promote economic and trade relations across the Taiwan Strait.

Is It Just a Front? By Joe Hung
(China Post, Apr. 20, 2006) Is it just a front? That's the question, the right answer to which all politicians wanted to find after Premier Su Tseng-chang signaled a demarche in Taiwan's course of action in relations with China.

China's Carrots: Will Taiwan Bite? By Ong Hwee Hwee
(Straits Times, Apr. 20, 2006) China rolled out a slew of economic sweeteners in the agriculture, tourism and medical sectors last weekend as part of its charm offensive to woo the Taiwanese. Taiwan Correspondent Ong Hwee Hwee speaks to analysts and industry players in the three sectors to find out if the goodies can deliver real gains to the Taiwanese.

Chen's Party Stung by China's Charm Offensive By Ong Hwee Hwee
(Straits Times, Apr. 17, 2006) Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) appears to be at its wits' end in its battle against China's charm offensive as it faces growing public pressure to forge closer economic links with the mainland.

Beijing Counters Chen's Snubs with Charm Offensive
(Straits Times, Apr. 13, 2006) The more Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian tries to snub ties with China, the harder Beijing will try to woo the Taiwanese people over.

China Tries Wooing Taiwan by Honoring First Emperor By Keith Bradsher (New York Times, Apr. 6, 2006) Heroic opera boomed from huge speakers and white-gloved police officers carried elaborate funeral wreaths as senior Communist officials bowed low Wednesday before the reputed burial mound of a legendary Chinese emperor.

Chen's Smart Challenge to Beijing
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Apr. 6, 2005) Beijing now has to address the issue of whether it concurs with the so-called "1992 consensus." Chen's words also offer a possible turning point in the current cross-strait deadlock.

Beijing Adopts the PR Route over Taipei By Lin Chong-pin
(Straits Times, Mar. 31, 2006) The Taiwan Strait crisis in 1995 and 1996 left behind the widespread presumption that if Taipei again started making moves towards independence, Beijing would start rattling its sabres anew. In fact, Beijing's current approach is to try to contain Taipei through Washington and absorb the island without war.

What KMT Can Do for Peace Across Taiwan Strait
(Straits Times, Mar. 29, 2006) On March 21, Dr Ma Ying-jeou, the Mayor of Taipei and chairman of the Kuomintang opposition party in Taiwan, gave a talk at the Fairbank Centre in Harvard University. Dr Ma is a graduate of Harvard Law School. The following is an excerpt from his speech.

Ma Reassures U.S., China over Stability on Cross-Strait Issues
(Associated Press, Mar. 25, 2006) Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou ended his visit to Washington seeking to assure both China and the United States that he wants peace and stability for Taiwan. Ma said that "Taiwan in the future will be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker."

Beijing's Aggression By Jaushieh Joseph Wu
(Washington Times, Mar. 24, 2006) China's military threat increases, its attempts to suffocate Taiwan internationally grow stronger, and Taiwan becomes increasingly divided and internally weakened in facing China.

Ma's Balancing Act Between U.S. and PRC
(Editorial, China Post, Mar. 23, 2006) Ma Ying-jeou, the chairman of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), is likely to project himself as a man who will pursue a balanced policy between Washington and Beijing.

Pandas Tempt Taiwan By Mark Magnier
(LA Times, Mar. 21, 2006) China's latest weapon in its increasingly effective charm offensive against Taiwan is an offer of giant pandas. Can the island’s pro-independence government resist China’s offer of two adorable ambassadors? History says no.

Chunk of PRC's Deficit Is with Taiwan, Says WTO
(Central News Agency, Mar. 20, 20060 Taiwan was China's largest source of trade deficit in 2005 and "intra-industry" trade across the Taiwan Strait surpassed half of that between China and the rest of the world in the same year, a World Trade Organization report said.

Taiwanese Hopeful Would Alter Course on China By Edward Cody
(Washington Post, March 19, 2006) In an interview last week, Ma pledged that if he won the next presidential election, in 2008, as widely expected, he would shift Taiwan sharply away from the confrontational, pro-independence policies followed by President Chen Shui-bian.

Interview with Ma: Cross-Strait Issues and a Vision for Taiwan
(Straits Times, Mar. 18, 2006) Interview with Kuomintang chairman and Taipei mayor Ma Ying-jeou. How about the unification and independence issues. Where do you stand? We don't believe it makes much sense to discuss unification or independence at the moment. Neither is likely in the foreseeable future. I think our attention should focus on the maintenance of the status quo.

China Economist Says Trade War Can Break Taiwan By Benjamin Kang Lim (Reuters, Mar. 8, 2006) Without firing a bullet, China can force Taiwan to its knees in a week with a massive trade war in the event the self-ruled island formally declares statehood, a prominent Chinese economist said.

Any China Crisis Will Have Impact on Taiwan By Lee Yung-ming
(Taipei Times, Feb. 13, 2006) If China continues to resist reform, the situation will become even more unstable and domestic unrest could worsen. If it does come to this, there will be serious implications for the economies of both China and Taiwan.

KMT Legislator Says Chen Returning to Days of Lee
(Taipei Times, Jan 31, 2006) KMT Legislator Su Chi said that the government was trying to revive the strict cross-strait policy of former president Lee Teng-hui  by reviving a security mechanism used at the end of Lee's presidential term to tightly control cross-strait exchanges.

Taiwan-China Status Quo Best for All: Ma
(China Post, Jan. 15, 2006) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang emphasized that maintaining the status quo in Taiwan's relations with China is in the best interest of the people of the island.

What is Taiwan's 'Correct Position'?
(Editorial, Liberty Times, Jan. 15, 2006) In his New Year's address, President Chen Shui-bian stressed that the "active management, effective opening" policy would be the centerpiece of new thinking and policies concerning cross-strait economic relations.

Washington Watching What Chen Will Do Next
(Editorial, China Post, Jan. 15, 2006) Anyone who has paid attention to the course of recent political events may be attracted by the two-faced tactics President Chen Shui-bian and his senior aides are playing in managing the aftermath of his controversial New Year address that has provoked a strong backlash in Washington.

Indictment Against UMC May Have Chilling Effects
(Editorial, China Post, Jan. 12, 2006 ) The indictment charged that the accused had violated government bans by engaging in "strategic cooperation" with a China-based company, He Jian Technology (Suzhou) Co., and providing it with technical and managerial assistance.

Panda Politics: Why Taiwan May Refuse China’s ‘Trojan Pandas’ By Melinda Liu (Newsweek, Jan. 10, 2006) Once again the rival regimes in Beijing and Taipei are engaged in a war of words, but this time the topic is pandas. Taiwanese authorities are trying hard to resist what some call the mainland's "panda ploy."

Cross-Strait Security Initiative Website (International Security Program, CSIS) This website focuses on military balance issues, confidence building measures and changing social dynamics between China and Taiwan. The goal of this initiative is to increase understanding in the United States on the delicate and complex dynamics of cross-Strait affairs.

Chen Speech Off Target, Say KMT, PFP
(Taiwan News, Jan. 2, 2006) Opposition pan-blue party officials called President Chen Shui-bian's  New Year's Day address "tremendously unintelligent" and "the wrong treatment for improving Taiwan's woeful political situation," while political analysts perceived within Chen's speech the portent of an uneasy 2006.