~ 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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