~ 2001
[ News ] [ Papers ]
Mini Three-Links
Still Not Producing Big Windfalls
(China Post, Dec. 23, 2001) The one-year-old mini three-links across the
Taiwan Strait have not been as mutually beneficial as they were vowed to be.
A year ago, the government said the links, which allow direct transport
contacts between the mainland and two offshore islands of Taiwan, must
succeed. But that remark now looks ironic.
Beijing's Free
Trade Area Proposal Gets Cool Response
(Taiwan Economic News, Nov. 29, 2001) Government officials express
reservations about a possible plan of establishing a free trade area (FTA) by
combining the four regions of Taiwan, mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Beijing Offers
Taipei Talks on Direct Flights
(South China Morning Post, Oct. 13, 2001) China had agreed to discuss
allowing Taiwan civilian flights to fly over the mainland and iron out
technical problems to prepare for direct flights between the two sides. But
the despatch said Taiwan had to recognise Beijing's "one China"
principle before direct flights could actually start.
DPP Officials Abandon 'No Haste, Be Patient'
(United Daily News, Oct. 3, 2001) Calling the "no haste, be patient"
approach a barrier to further progress in Taiwan, the ruling Democratic
Progressive Party's Central Standing Committee esday passed a draft
resolution Tuesday that embraces the government's new "active opening,
effective management" policy.
Chen Affirms End to 'No Haste' Policy
(Taiwan Headlines, Aug. 15, 2001) President Chen Shui-bian said cross-strait
trade is the right path to take. Giving his approval to a proposal to relax
rules limiting Taiwanese investment in mainland China, he said: "The
government has to take a constructive attitude toward the 'no haste, be
patient' policy, which is to be replaced by a new economic vision of
'proactive openness and effective management.'"
Officials Clarify Status of 'No Haste, Be Patient'
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2001) Amid media reports that the Executive Yuan will move to
ease the current "no haste, be patient" policy restricting
Taiwanese investment in mainland China, a government official Monday said
that the government will adopt a "total amount control" to regulate
future Taiwan capital outflow to the mainland.
Taiwan Moving to Lift Decades-Old Ban on Direct
Economic Links with China
(AFP, Aug. 13, 2001) Taiwan is embarking on moves to end a half-century ban
on direct economic links with rival mainland China in a bid to thaw icy ties
and revive the island's sluggish economy. The policy worked out Sunday by the
cross-strait affairs panel of the national economic development advisory
council agreed in principle on easing restrictions on mainland-bound
investments.
MAC Puts Damper on Lifting of Links Ban
(Taipei Times, Aug. 5, 2001) The Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council
criticized a proposal to open up direct cross-strait transport, trade and
communications links that is being pushed hard by some members of the
Economic Development Advisory Conference.
China Sends Reporters to Taiwan Under New Policy
(Reuters, Feb. 8, 2001) A pair of Chinese journalists left Beijing for Taiwan
on Thursday in the first trip under Taipei's new rules allowing mainland
reporters to cover news on the island for up to a month, the official Xinhua
news agency reported.
Chinese Boat Sets off on First Official Trip to
Taiwan in 50 Years
(AFP, Feb. 6, 2001) A Chinese ferry set off Tuesday on the first official
trip to Taiwan-controlled territory since the end of a bloody civil war more
than 50 years ago.
Taiwanese Businessmen Sail Directly to China on
Special Permission
(AFP, Feb. 2, 2001) Ten Taiwanese businessmen Friday sailed directly to China
from an outlying Taiwan-controlled island in the first such transport link
between the long-time rivals, officials said.
China Seen Warming to Direct Links
(Taipei Times, Jan. 7, 2001) China's Minister of Communications Hong
Shanxiang said Beijing will define cross-strait shipping as "domestic
routes under special management" after direct shipping is opened up
between China and Taiwan.
China Accuses Chen of Playing Politics Over Links
(AFP, Jan. 4, 2001) China Thursday accused Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian
of trying to dupe public opinion by opening limited direct links with the
mainland and warned the measure would not lead to dialogue.
China Grudgingly Supports New Taiwan Links
(Reuters, Jan. 3, 2001) Chinese state media gave sparse coverage on Wednesday
to the first legal voyage by Taiwanese ships to the Chinese mainland in 51
years, but one newspaper said Beijing would support the new transport links.
New Rules on Cross-Straits Trade
(People's Daily, Jan. 2, 2001) China issued a set of rules governing trade
across the Taiwan Straits, which trade officials say will "enable
cross-Straits trade and economic cooperation to grow in a sound, orderly
manner." The rules, in 15 provisions, specify the guiding principles,
ways of management and disputes settlement concerning cross-Straits trade.
Taiwanese Ships Arrive in China
(AP, Jan. 2, 2001) Three Taiwanese ships made the first direct legal voyages
to mainland China in 51 years on Tuesday, carrying government officials and
religious pilgrims, and raising hopes for better relations. Taiwan lifted a
ban on crossings from Kinmen and Matsu on New Year's Day, legalizing a trade
carried on for years by smugglers.
Taiwanese Boat Heads Back to Taiwan
(AP, Jan. 1, 2001) A Taiwanese tourist boat that had set sail for China to
end a five-decade ban on direct travel between the longtime rivals turned
back to Taiwan later Monday. The reason for scrapping the voyage was not
immediately clear. Taiwanese officials blamed bad weather in the narrow
straits between the tiny islet of Kinmen and China's southeastern port of
Xiamen.
Chinese Look Forward to Taiwan Links
(AP, Dec. 31, 2000) Residents of the lively Chinese port of Xiamen are hoping
for a windfall when Taiwan lifts a 51-year-old ban Monday and allows ships
and people from two Taiwanese-controlled islands to travel to nearby China to
trade, visit relatives or just have fun.
China Accepts Taiwan Offer to Open Islands
(Washington Post, December 29, 2000) Taiwan and China took a small but
significant step toward better ties today with China's acceptance of a
Taiwanese plan to open two offshore islands to goods and passengers from the
mainland and allow island residents to travel directly to China.
China
Appears to Accept a Plan by Taiwanese for Direct Links
(Reuters, Dec. 28, 2000) Beijing opened the door today to direct contacts
with Taiwan by indicating that it would grudgingly go along with Taipei's
plan for limited exchanges between its offshore islands and the Chinese
mainland.
Taiwan-Held Islet to Clear Landmines, Open to China
(Reuters, Dec. 25, 2000) The heavily fortified Taiwan-held island of Quemoy,
off arch-rival China's southeastern coast, is to invite bids in January for
the clearance of landmines to make way for a commercial port after opening up
to Chinese visitors.
Taiwan Cabinet Approves "Mini-Links" with
China
(AFP, Dec. 13, 2000) Taiwan's cabinet on Wednesday approved a year-long trial
of the so-called "three mini-links" with rival China, amid appeals
for a lifting of the decades-old ban on comprehensive links.
Partial 'Mini Links' Possible Without Talks: Chiou
(China Times, Dec. 11, 2000) Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chiou I-jen,
who serves as chairman of the committee overseeing the "mini
links," stated yesterday that even in the absence of cross-strait
consultations there are still a few areas where two-way links can be established.
Taiwan Fears 'Trojan Horse'
Strategy
(AP, Dec. 5, 2000) Opening direct air links with the mainland could make
Taiwan vulnerable to Chinese jetfighters that evade radar by flying behind civilian
airliners, a leading newspaper on Tuesday quoted a Taiwanese air force
officer as saying.
Tycoons Urge Chen to Open Cross-Strait Links
(CNA, Nov. 26, 2000 ) A group of leading businessmen met with President Chen
Shui-bian yesterday, urging an early relaxation of current policy guarding
cross-strait trade.
Security Bureau Approves Small Links
(Taipei Times, Oct. 26, 2000) Taiwan's national security system is ready for
the government's plan to implement the "small three links" --
direct communication, transportation and trade links between Taiwan's
outlying islands, such as Kinmen and Matsu, with China -- said National
Security Bureau (NSB) director-general Ting Yu-chou.
2 Taiwan Islands to have Direct Links with China
(Straits Times, Oct. 3, 2000) Taiwan is to start gradual and limited direct
links between two of its offshore islands Kinmen and Matsu and China from
December, in response to the islanders' needs and as a goodwill gesture
towards Beijing.
Taiwan May Ease China Direct Link Ban Before Year
End
(Reuters, Sept. 16, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian offered Saturday to
ease a decades-old ban on direct trade and transport links with China before
the end of the year if Beijing resumed fence-mending talks.
No `Open Door' to China Yet
(Taipei Times, Sep. 6, 2000) Despite pressure from the business sector to
liberalize investment in China, the "no haste, be patient" policy
is unlikely to be revised any time soon. That was the gist of a statement
yesterday by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), following an
inter-ministerial meeting held Monday to discuss the future of the "no
haste, be patient" restrictions.
"Mini Three Links"
Are Priority of Chen Administration: MAC Chief
(Central News
Agency, June 4, 2000) Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen
said on Sunday that establishing the "mini three links" will be a
priority of the new government.... Prior to implementing the three links
between Taiwan proper and mainland China, the government will allow the
"mini three links" between the frontier islands and mainland China.
'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. But the problem has to be further
discussed and negotiated between Taipei and Beijing before it can proceed any
further, he added.
A Win-Win
Cross-Strait Scenario
(Economic Daily News, March 22, 2000) Re-engineering Taiwan's cross-strait
trade policy is one of the greatest challenges facing the new
president-elect. The pressure to make policy adjustments comes from at least
three different directions.
China Warns Taiwan
Business
(Financial Times,
April 10, 2000) China unleashed an unprecedented warning to Taiwanese
businessmen at the weekend - that they will not be allowed to pursue profits
on the mainland if they "openly clamour" for Taiwan independence at
home.
Economic
Facts Support Direct Links
(Editorial, Commercial
Times, Aug. 10, 2001) Direct trade, transportation, and communications links between
mainland China and Taiwan (known as the "three links" ) is a major
issue touching upon various interests. We conclude that the notion that the
"three links" will marginalize Taiwan lacks fundamental grounding
in economics. Links is an issue of integration, not marginalization.
Taiwanese
Island Keeps Uneasy Peace By Bill Gertz
(Washington Times, July 17, 2001) On this small island within artillery range
of communist China, the contradictions between war and peace are obvious. Today, Kinmen has become a test
case for reconciliation efforts between the communist mainland and democratic
Taiwan through budding trade, postal and transportation ties -- called the
three "minilinks." The minilinks, however, have not led to greater
contacts or lesser tensions between the two countries.
Consider 'Special
Domestic Links' By Tsai Horng-ming
(Taipei Times, Jan. 24, 2001) In a recent meeting with a Taiwanese delegation
comprising KMT and New Party legislators, Chinese Vice Premier Qian
Qichen suggested that the "three
links" between the two sides of
the Taiwan Strait could be treated as "special domestic links."
Big Three
Links a Challenge
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Jan. 12, 2001) Taiwan has made a solid goodwill
gesture to mainland China with the opening of "mini links" between
the mainland coast and the offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu. If these
small links can be implemented smoothly, the natural next step will be the
much hyped "big three links" or "three direct links"
between the mainland and Taiwan proper.
Ripples of
Hope Follow Taiwan-China Voyages By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Jan. 3, 2001) With his 3-year-old son in tow, Huang
Zhicheng went for a walk today along a windy path by the water's edge. Under
balmy skies, the Taiwanese islands of Big Quemoy and Little Quemoy were
clearly visible at the entrance of Xiamen's harbor.
Taiwan
Boats Land in China; First Direct Legal Link Since '49 By Craig S. Smith
(New York Times, Jan. 2, 2001) Two tourist boats, one from the tiny fortified
island of Matsu, and one from the larger island of Quemoy, arrived on the
Chinese mainland today, the first legal direct link between China and Taiwan
since they were separated by civil war in 1949.
Island May Help
China, Taiwan
(Associated Press, Dec. 28, 2000) After banning Chinese boats from its shores
for 51 years, Taiwan is preparing to do the once-unimaginable on Jan. 1:
letting Chinese merchants and tourists sail to the tiny Taiwanese island of
Kinmen.
Taiwan Must
Engage Mainland to Thrive
(China Post, Dec. 5, 2000) The time and the tide are urging Taiwan to start
economic engagement with the mainland as soon as possible in order to thrive.
Otherwise, the island will be inviting regression resulting from a
self-imposed economic isolation from the world's biggest and most lucrative
market.
Taiwan's
Stepping Stone to China By Mure
Dickie and Richard McGregor
(Financial
Times, Sept. 19 2000) When residents of the Taiwan-controlled island of
Kinmen heard earlier this year that their legislature in Taipei had lifted a
ban on direct trade with mainland China, they were so pleased they set up
impromptu markets on the beaches.
Mini Links are
a Minor Gesture
(China Post, Sep. 19,
2000) Taiwan has taken a few positive steps toward closer economic links with
the mainland, such as legalizing existing trade between the ROC's outlying
islets and certain mainland ports.
Small
Three Links and National Security
(Peace Forum, Division of Strategic and International Studies, Taiwan
Research Institute, Sep. 2000) Papers include “The
Status of the 'Small Three Links' and Economic Security” (by Horng-ming
Tsai), “On
the 'Small Three Links': A View of National Security” (byJiann-fa Yan),
and “Discussion
of the Policy to Discriminalize of the 'Small Three Links'” (by Fortune
F. Y. Shieh). To spur economic
development on Taiwan’s outlying islands, the government is currently
evaluating the decriminalization of the “small three links”. The so-called
“small three links” as is provided in Article 18 of the “Offshore Island
Development Act,” means direct transportation between Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu
and Mainland China and travelling of people and conveyance of goods derived
therefrom as well as other related commercial activities.
'One China' Feud Blocks Direct Links
(China Post, June 7,
2000) President Chen Shui-bian's plan to open up the two outlying islands of
Kinmen and Matsu to direct sea transport with the neighboring Chinese
mainland before the end of this year is likely to fail because of persistent
wrangling over the "one China" issue.
Beijing Pressures Businessmen
(South China Morning
Post, June 5, 2000) Beijing will continue putting pressure on
pro-independence Taiwan businessmen because it thinks the same tactic of
"mixing politics with business" worked with regard to former Hong
Kong governor Chris Patten.
Taiwan's Economic Clout May Be Its Shield
By Evelyn Iritani
(LA Times, May 1,
2000) Despite the renewal of hard-line rhetoric from Beijing, many here
believe that the spreading web of economic interdependence tying China's
developing economy to this successful Asian high-tech tiger has sharply
diminished the chances of a military confrontation. … at least 40,000
Taiwanese firms have quietly become China's leading outside investors during
the last decade, with about $24 billion in place and $20 billion more in the
pipeline.
Trade is the Key to Cross-Strait Resolution
By Chen Po-chih
(Taipei Times, April
9, 2000) Because China does not sufficiently trust the DPP, it is a matter of
course that Chen Shui-bian will take actions and speak words of good will toward
China, to demonstrate that the DPP and the Taiwanese people do not want
enmity with their neighbor and instead want to promote positive interaction
and friendly cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.
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