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DPP Rejects China's Invitation to Talk
(Taiwan News, Mar. 15, 2006) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao proposed talks with Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party on condition that the party drops its pro-independence stance, but the DPP bluntly rejected the overture, saying Beijing did not understand democracy.

Cross-Strait Relations Need Negotiation, Says Mayor Ma
(Taiwan News, Feb. 14, 2006) Taiwan must negotiate with China to solve cross-strait differences, even if more than 700 PRC missiles are targeting the island, said Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou.

Ma Says China Should Pull Missiles If Serious About Talks
(CNA, Feb. 13, 206) China must agree to discuss dismantling its missiles pointing at Taiwan before talks can be held, Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou said in comments.

SEF Seeks Talks for Second Time with China over Official's Visit
(China Post, Nov. 18, 2005) Taipei asked Beijing a second time for official talks to pave the way for a visit from China's top Taiwan policy maker, who has been invited here by an opposition party.

Chen Invites Hu to Hold Peace Talks
(AFP, Sep. 23, 2005) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has offered to hold unconditional talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, saying it may open 'a window of opportunity' for peace across the Taiwan Strait.

China Can Show Maturity by Talking to Taiwan: EU Chief
(Straits Times, July 16, 2005) Visiting European Commission president Jose Ma- nuel Barroso urged China to initiate direct talks with Taiwan before the 2008 Olympics, saying that it would be a sign of 'great maturity'.

China Offers Talks with Taiwan Ruling Party
(Reuters, Apr. 1, 2005) China renewed an offer to hold dialogue with Taiwan's ruling party, seeking to ease tension in the wake of a new law mandating war if the self-ruled island formally declares statehood.

KMT Chief Lien Chan Invited to Visit China
(Straits Times, Apr. 1, 2005) China invited Mr Lien Chan, chairman of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang, to visit the mainland, paving the way for more cooperation between the Chinese Communist Party and its age-old rival.

DPP Majority Ushers in Taipei-Beijing Talks: Chen
(China Post, Dec. 3, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian said dialogue between Taipei and Beijing can begin only after his ruling Democratic Progressive Party wins a parliamentary majority.

Beijing Rebuffs Powell on Taiwan
(WP, Oct. 26, 2004) Chinese officials rebuffed Colin L. Powell's suggestion that they use a possibly conciliatory speech by Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, to restart cross-strait discussions.

Taiwan May Seek 'Facilitators' for Cross-Strait Talks
(Taipei Times, Oct 19, 2004) As cross-strait ties remain at a standstill since Chen's National Day speech, the government may invite former US leaders to help promote bilateral talks.

Chen Denies Asking CEO to Be China Messenger
(China Post, Oct. 17, 2004) The Presidential Offic issued a statement denying President Chen asked HP chairwoman and CEO Carly Fiorina to serve as a go-between to improve cross-strait relations. Yet following the meeting, Hewlett-Packard issued a statement rejecting Chen's request.

Hewlett-Packard Says No to Taiwan on China Help
(Reuters, Oct. 16, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian asked the visiting head of Hewlett-Packard Company to press China to open direct charter air links with the island, but the company said it had refused to become involved.

US Defends Taiwan Call for Dialogue with China
(AFP, Oct. 15, 2004) The United States defended Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's call for a dialogue with China even though it has been angrily rejected by Beijing.

China Rejects Taiwan's Offer to Resume Talks
(WP, October 14, 2004) After three days of silence, the Chinese government has rejected the offer of Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, to make a fresh start on cross-strait discussions, saying Chen cannot be trusted.

China Angrily Rejects Taiwan's Peace Overture
(AFP, Oct. 13, 2004) China angrily rejected Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's peace overtures, saying Beijing's stance was unchanged and warning that Chen risked "great catastrophe" by pushing for independence.

Cabinet Hopes PRC Will Agree to Charter Talks
(TN, Oct. 12, 2004) The Cabinet issued an open invitation to Beijing to hold discussions in Taiwan, China or a third location on issues regarding opening direct charter flight cargo or passenger services across the Taiwan Strait.

U.S. Welcomes 'Constructive Message'
(Reuters, Oct. 11, 2004) The U.S. State Department welcomed what it called the constructive message in a speech by President Chen Shui-bian in which he called for peace talks with China.

Chen Shui-bian's Call for Talks Discredited
(China Daily, Oct. 11, 2004) Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian was accused Sunday of playing word games in his "national day" speech. Mainland researchers described his call for cross-Straits peace talks as "more symbolic than substantial."

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.

Government Must Negotiate Direct Links: Official
(China Post, Jan. 13, 2003) Direct cross-strait links will have to be established through government-to-government negotiations, National Security Council secretary-general Chiu I-jen said.

Taiwan Says China Agrees to WTO Talks over Steel
(Reuters, Dec. 5, 2002) China has agreed to bilateral consultations with Taiwan under the framework of the World Trade Organisation to discuss China's steel import protection measures, said an economics ministry official.

Beijing Calls for Taiwan-China Talks
(CNN.com, Nov. 28, 2002) Assuring Taiwan that China's policy towards the island will not change under the new Communist Party leadership, Beijing has once again called on Taipei to return to the diplomatic table.

Taiwan and China Move Closer to Official Talks
(Financial Times, Nov. 25, 2002) China appears ready to ease its ban on official talks with rival Taiwan, saying it is now willing to allow "consultations" between the two side's representatives to the World Trade Organisation.

Singapore Lee's Quiet Visit to Taiwan Highlights Unusual Bilateral Ties
(AP, Sep. 21, 2002) Singapore's elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew wrapped up a four-day visit to Taiwan. Lee met behind closed doors with President Chen Shui-bian as well as top China policy officials, national security advisers and Taipei's envoy to the mainland.

Mainland Cross-Strait Negotiator Ready to Visit Taiwan Any Time
(China Post, July 8, 2002) Mainland China's top cross-strait negotiator Wang Daohan said in Shanghai yesterday that he is ready to visit Taiwan anytime and is willing to meet both President Chen Shui-bian and former President Lee Teng-hui.

Non-Profit Groups to Discuss Three Links with Beijing: MAC
(China Post, May 23, 2002) The government will authorize private non-profit groups to represent the island in direct shipping link negotiations with mainland China, chairwoman of the Mainland Affairs Council said.

China Invites Taiwan Businessmen for Talks
(BBC, May 23, 2002) Beijing has invited two Taiwanese business leaders to the mainland for talks following an announcement earlier this month by the island's President, Chen Shui-bian, that private groups could represent his government.

C.F. Koo Declares It's Time for New Cross-Strait Agenda
(China Post, April 29, 2002) Nine years after the first meeting with his mainland counterpart Wang Daohan, Taiwan's top cross-strait negotiator C.F. Koo said both sides should get back to the negotiating table as soon as possible based on the consensus and resolutions achieved nine years ago in Singapore.

WTO Provides Best Framework for Talks, Says President Chen
(China Post, Feb. 27, 2002) The World Trade Organization (WTO) provides the best, but not the only, platform for talks with mainland China, President Chen Shui-bian said. He told a 70-minute tele-conference with scholars at Harvard University Taipei that he is willing to talk with Beijing under no pre-conditions.

Beijing's Conditions Not 'Constructive': U.S. Envoy
(China Post, Jan. 29, 2002) Richard Bush, Washington's top envoy to Taipei, said that pre-conditions set by Beijing for a resumption of talks with Taipei are not "constructive."

Taiwan Using WTO as Leverage to Push China for Talks: Report
(AFP, Dec. 30, 2001) Taiwan is not going to open its market to China in the short term, despite the arch-foes' accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in a bid to force Beijing into rapprochement talks.

Mainland Leaves Open Prospect of Taipei Talks
(AFP, Dec. 12, 2001) China said it would not rule out a resumption of talks with Taiwan in the near future but would keep watch on any moves by the island towards independence.

Taiwan Hails Visit from Top Cadre
(South China Morning Post, Sep. 1, 2001) Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council confirmed that a vice-chairman recently met the top Taiwan affairs official from Beijing's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, who was visiting the island at the head of a private delegation.

Beijing Says "No!" to Official Contacts with Taiwan
(People's Daily, July 5, 2001) A central official recently told news media that the mainland will have no direct contacts with "official bodies" of Taiwan, this is our consistent principle and it remains unchanged.

MAC Seeks Official Contacts with PRC
(Taiwan Headlines, July 3, 2001) The Mainland Affairs Council in a press release said that seeking official cross-strait contacts and negotiations is a view held by both the ruling and opposition camps in Taiwan, and a goal which the government is working hard to achieve.

Chen Says China 'Afraid' to Talk
(Taipei Times, June 2, 2001) President Chen Shui-bian said that Taiwan will never accept Beijing's "one country, two systems," saying the real reason China's communist leaders refuse to negotiate with Taiwan is that "they lack confidence" and "are afraid of" rational dialogue.

Foes Remain of Two Minds on One China
(NYT, Apr. 28, 2001) Eight years after they began a historic but ultimately aborted dialogue on future relations, mainland China and Taiwan both called today for new talks.

Taiwan President Says Singapore's Lee Not Emissary
(Reuters, Sept. 28, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said on Wednesday Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew was not an emissary and did not deliver any messages from rival China, a day after Lee wrapped up his controversial visit to the island. "Senior Minister Lee is not a so-called mediator or an emissary.

Clinton Warned Jiang on Talk Delays
(Taipei Times, Sept. 22, 2000) US President Clinton told China's President Jiang Zemin this month that any delay in resuming cross-strait dialogue could result in a hardening of positions on both sides that could make future talks more difficult to arrange or conclude, a US official said.

US to Hold `Track Two' Cross-Strait Talks
(Taipei Times, Sep. 11, 2000) A US-based think tank associated with the Democratic party is to hold a confidential forum on cross-strait relations next week, drawing Taiwanese high-ranking officials and scholars to join what insiders dubbed as the Democrats' effort to lure support from Taiwan during the US presidential election.

Taiwan Renews Invitation to China Envoy to Visit
(Reuters, Sep. 3, 2000) Taiwan's top envoy for relations with China has renewed an invitation to his Chinese counterpart to visit the island, saying obstacles to the trip have disappeared, media said on Sunday.

Taiwan's New Government Won't Hold Secret Talks with China
(AFP, July 20, 2000) Taiwan's new government was cautiously positive towards five years of secret talks between the Kuomintang (KMT) government and China, but said it would not follow suit to solve the sovereignty disputes with Beijing, officials said Thursday.

Albright Urges China Talk with Taiwan, Jiang Rejected
(CNN, June 23, 2000) The United States urged China to resume a cross-straits dialogue with Taiwan Thursday, but China's President Jiang Zemin rejected the appeal. Resumption of a dialogue between China and Taiwan was foremost on her mind during meetings with Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.

China Cold To President Chen's Call For Summit
(Reuters, June 20, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, inspired by a successful meeting between leaders of the rival Koreas, on Tuesday invited his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin to join hands at a summit for peace.

Taiwan's President Calls for Summit With China
(Washington Post, June 20, 2000) Taking his cue from the historic summit between the leaders of North and South Korea, Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian today invited his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin, to meet "to shake hands and reconcile in creating a historic moment."

Taiwan Says Korean Summit a Model But China Disagrees
(AFP, June 13, 2000) Taiwan and China should be inspired by the landmark Korean summit to improve their relations, officials and lawmakers here said Tuesday, but Beijing refuted the model as inappropriate.

Chen Hopes US Can Help Restart Talks
(China Times, June 13, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday that cross-strait negotiations have been stymied by the PRC's ossified doctrines, and its lack of goodwill and sincerity.

SEF Officials Downplays Role of Private Groups
(Liberty Times, June 12, 2000) Straits Exchange Foundation Secretary-General Shi Hwei-yow yesterday said that private-sector groups shuttling between Taiwan and mainland China may be helpful in resolving individual cases, but do not help the overall state of cross-strait interactions.

China Develops New Channels to Tackle Cross-Strait Affairs
(AFP, June 11, 2000) Beijing has begun to develop new channels for handling cross-strait affairs in light of the refusal of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) to take a clear stance on the 'one-China principle.'

'1992 Consensus Can Bring Sides Together'
(South China Morning Post, June 6, 2000) Differences over the "one China" principle could be resolved on the basis of understandings already reached between Taipei and Beijing, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said.

Taiwan Premier Pledges China Talks
(Associated Press, June 2, 2000) Taiwan's premier pledged today to push for talks with China and seek ways to exchange military information with the communist rival to prevent a devastating war.

'Three Links' Complications Inevitable: Chen
(China Post, May 31, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday that pressure to open direct "three links" across the Taiwan Strait is an inevitable problem that the government has to deal with.

Three Principles Required Before Talks, Says Chen
(Taipei Times, May 6, 2000) While China continues to increase its pressure on Taiwan to meet its demands and accept "one China," President-elect Chen Shui-bian said that equality, no pre-conditions and a desire to handle the issue peacefully were needed.

Taiwan Top Envoy Urges China to Restart Rapprochement Dialogue
(AFP, April 29, 2000) Taiwan's top mainland affairs envoy Saturday appealed to Beijing for a resumption of peace talks to relieve tension in their sovereignty dispute.

Beijing Stresses 'One China' To Taiwan
(Washington Post, April 28, 2000) China combined tough talk with an olive branch today, warning Taiwan's president-elect that he was courting disaster if he did not accept the "one China" principle but also announcing that if Chen Shui-bian does accept the formula, the island will be treated as an equal in any negotiations with the mainland.

Envoy Reaches Out to Beijing For Taiwanese
(Washington Post, April 1, 2000) An American scientist who helped negotiate arms control treaties with the Soviet Union came to China tonight on a sensitive and unannounced trip to talk to Chinese leaders about Taiwan.

Clinton Urges Resumption of Cross-Strait Talks After Taiwan Election
(CNA, March 9, 2000) "There must be a shift from threat to dialogue across the Taiwan Strait," Clinton said, adding: "We will continue to encourage both sides to seize this opportunity after the Taiwan election."

Congressman Predicts Cross-Strait Dialouge to Resume after Election (CNA, Jan. 17, 2000) A visiting US congressman predicted on Monday that dialogue across the Taiwan Strait could resume after the Republic of China's March 18 presidential election.

Mainland's Olive Branch to 'Right' Taiwan President (South China Morning Post, Jan. 5, 2000) A recent top-level meeting on Taiwan has recommended that Beijing resume high-level contacts with the Taipei leadership.

Taiwan Appeals For Renewed Talks With China (AFP, Dec 31, 1999) As the world was ushering in the new millennium, Taiwan Friday called for renewed talks with China but demanded parity and democracy as preconditions.

President Lee 'Prepared to Forego Title' (South China Morning Post, Nov. 1, 1999) Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui is willing to drop his title as president if he meets a mainland envoy, a Taiwan newspaper reported yesterday, a small gesture to encourage Beijing not to cancel a visit that has been postponed due to recent tension.

Taipei Still Wanting for Beijing's Response to Koo's Offer (CNA, Oct. 22, 1999) Taipei is still waiting for Beijing's response to Koo Chen-fu's recent offer that he himself to go to the mainland to invite his counterpart Wang Daohan to visit Taiwan, said an official of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Friday.

Beijing Brushes Aside Koo's Olive Branch (Taipei Times, Oct. 16, 1999) Beijing yesterday rejected an offer from Taiwan for its top negotiator to travel to China in an attempt to jump-start stalled cross-strait talks.

Taiwan' Koo Offers To Visit China To End Impasse (Reuters, Oct. 14, 1999) Taiwan's top envoy to rival China offered Thursday to visit the communist mainland a second time if it would help break a negotiating deadlock dating back to Taipei's July demand for political equality.

Taiwan Urges Beijing Not to Hinder Top China Envoy's Visit (CNA, Oct. 13, 1999) Mainland China should not set any prerequisites to hinder its top envoy's planned visit to Taiwan, a senior ROC negotiator with the mainland said on Wednesday.

Taipei Rejects Terms for China Envoy's Visit (Reuters, Sep. 10, 1999) Taipei said yesterday that it welcomed a proposed visit by China's top Taiwan affairs envoy, but flatly rejected Beijing's condition that the island backed down from a call for political parity.

Conditions Set for Taiwan Talks (AP, Sep. 8, 1999) China's President Jiang Zemin said Wednesday he has set two conditions for a proposed visit by top Chinese negotiator Wang Daohan to Taiwan

Taiwan Renews Pledges For Talks With China (Reuters, July 25, 1999) Taiwan on Sunday told a U.S. emissary sent to defuse cross-strait tensions that it was committed to dialogue and pursuit of democratic union with rival China.

China, Taiwan Negotiators Agree To Landmark Visit (Reuters, June 28, 1999) Chinese and Taiwan negotiators agreed on Monday that a top China envoy would make a landmark visit to the island this year as part of rapprochement between the rivals.

Taiwan Recommends China Visit by Senior Negotiator Late June (AFP, June 10, 1999) Taiwan proposed its senior negotiator visits the mainland in late June to help arrange the scheduled historic visit to the island by China's top envoy Wang Daohan.

Taiwan's Top Envoy Appeals for 'Interim Agreements' with China (AFP, May 18, 1999) Taiwan's top envoy on affairs with rival China Tuesday called for the signing of "interim agreements" between Taipei and Beijing amid stalled bilateral ties.

Tawian Open to Signing of Cross-Strait Interim Agreements (CNA, Mar. 26, 1999) Premier Vincent Siew said on Friday that the Republic of China is open to the signing of "interim agreements" with mainland China.

Rifts in PRC-US Ties Hinders Mainland Envoy's Taiwan Visit (CNA, Mar. 21, 1999) A recent downturn in relations between Beijing and Washington has prompted mainland China to postpone its top envoy's planned visit to Taiwan from spring to autumn, a senior Taiwan negotiator with the mainland said on Sunday.

Negotiator Leaves Hailing 'Good Basis' For Taiwan-China Talks (Agence France Presse, Mar. 19, 1999) Chinese negotiator Li Yafei left for home Friday hailing "a good beginning" to future cross-strait talks following negotiations in Taipei over the scheduled visit by top mainland envoy Wang Daohan.

China Envoy in Taiwan For Talk, But Gap Still Wide (Reuters, Mar. 17, 1999) A key China negotiator arrived on Wednesday in Taipei eager for progress toward a historic tour of the island by Beijing's top Taiwan-affairs envoy. Analysts said big bilateral gaps made major accords unlikely.

Hubbub over Ma's Remarks Escalates
(Taipei Times, Feb. 14, 2006) The nation's main political parties fought a war of words over cross-strait relations yesterday, with the top pan-blue leader backtracking on his stance regarding talks with China, while a pan-green lawmaker dubbed the opposition's policies hypocritical.

For Talks, Both Sides Need to Bend By Edward Chen
(Taipei Times, Oct. 26, 2004) Beijing has to go back to the 1992 consensus, but Taipei also must go back to the 1992 consensus, which it has tried to deny over the past four years.

Taiwan: Seeking a Meaningful Dialogue By Joseph Wu
(Taipei Times, Oct. 18, 2004) Taiwan will seek to establish an interim framework for peace and stability to govern the activities between the two sides before a final settlement can be found.

'Taiwan Independence' Notice Under the Cover of 'Peace': Commentary (People’s Daily, Oct. 15, 2004) "October 10 speech" is a product of Chen's deepening his "one country on each side theory", which indicates that Chen Shuibian has no sincerity for promoting resumption of talks between ARATS and SEF.

Move Ahead with Cross-Strait Talks By Andy Chang
(Taipei Times, Oct. 15, 2004) Beijing and Taipei should actively plan to undertake action, not just work on ways to interpret the statement. What is needed is action, not empty words.

A Peace Overture from Taiwan
(Editorial, Japan Times, Oct. 14, 2004) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian last weekend bid to improve relations with China. In his National Day speech, Mr. Chen called on Beijing to resume long-stalled talks and help build confidence and lower tension across the Taiwan Strait.

China Likely to Spurn Taiwan Peace Overture-Analysts By Alice Hung (Reuters, Oct. 13, 2004) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's peace overture may be a concession, but it may not be enough to lure a deeply distrustful Beijing back to the negotiating table.

Chen's Speech a 'Stepping Stone' to Cross-Strait Talks
(Taipei Times, Oct 12, 2004) Officials and analysts say the president's national day address showed a willingness to accept ambiguity in order to find practical solutions.

Chen Seeks Cross-Strait Code of Conduct
(China Post, Oct. 11, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian used his National Day speech to call for peace talks with arch foe China, urging Beijing to draw up a code of conduct with Taipei to defuse rising military tensions.

Taiwan Talks Peace But Waves a Snotty Rag at China's Rhino By Catherine Armitage (The Australian, October 4, 2004) Taiwan claims to be trying to create a "more conciliatory environment." So how to explain the recent fighting words from some of its most senior government figures?

Taiwan Strait Talks Lack Vision By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, June 4, 2002) The good news about the Taiwan Strait is that a number of auspicious signs and initiatives have recently been floated. The flip side of the coin, however, is that both the mainland and Taiwan authorities seem to lack statesmanlike vision and a conciliatory spirit to pursue these openings.

Beware China's Trojan Horse
(Editorial, Taipei Times, May 23, 2002) After two years of resistance and a wait-and-see attitude, China seems to have changed its "listening to his words and observing his actions" policy toward President Chen Shui-bian.

Chances to Improve Cross-Strait Ties Missed By Ralph A. Cossa
(Taipei Times, May 10, 2002) Taipei sees China's continued insistence on acceptance of a "one China" policy, regardless of definition, as "creeping jurisdiction." The casualty in all this is what is really needed: namely, creeping reconciliation.

Taiwan Cannot Afford to Delay Talk
(Editorial, United Daily News, Dec. 21, 2001) Given that Beijing has already become a formal member of the World Trade Organization, to be followed by Taipei in January, there is great and intensifying pressure to change this situation. As Taiwan loses time and bargaining chips, we can no longer afford to sidestep the situation.

Don't Waste ARATS, SEF
(Editorial, China Times, Dec. 17, 2001) Over the past three years, the SEF and ARATS have both gradually turned into nominal entities no one pays attention to.

Historic 1993 China, Taiwan Talks Took Five Years of Groundwork
(AFP, July 19, 2000) Emissaries from Taiwan and China admitted Wednesday to having held a lengthy series of secret talks in the run-up to a landmark dialogue between the arch rivals in 1993.

Lee Kuan Yew's Cross-Strait Advice
(China Post, June 19, 2000) The relationship between Taiwan and mainland China is reaching a new turning-point and the island must proceed with extra caution, advised Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew before concluding a visit to the mainland recently.

Is Taiwan Ready for Strait Talk? By Bruce Dickson
(Taipei Times, June 2, 2000) Almost immediately after Chen's speech ended, China began to soften its tone.

'Track Two' Diplomacy a Cross-Strait Catalyst
(China Times, April 26, 2000) The pros outweigh the cons for an active U.S. role in track two diplomacy.

Cross-Strait Thaw Unlikely
(China Post, April 25, 2000) President-elect Chen Shui-bian's prudent rhetoric toward Beijing since his election last month has failed, so far, to melt the ice between the two sides. It appears that no rhetoric, however friendly and sincere it may sound, could bring a quick thaw in cross-strait relations.