2002

~ 2001

[ News ] [ Papers ]

China May Ease Taiwan Air Access
(AP, Dec. 29, 2002) China has accepted applications from three Taiwanese airlines to operate indirect charter flights to the mainland for the Lunar New Year holiday -- a potentially significant move as the two rivals inch toward establishing direct air links.

Indirect Taiwan Flights Need More Talks, Says Beijing
(AFP, Dec. 7, 2002) A Taiwanese plan for indirect cross-strait flights needed more discussions, China's state media said, throwing into doubt prospects for the early establishment of transport links.

Taiwan Agrees to Indirect Charter Flights to China During Holiday
(AP, Dec. 4, 2002) Taiwan approved a plan to allow indirect charter flights to China for the Lunar New Year holiday, a largely symbolic but potentially significant move toward direct air links between the rivals.

Mainland Air Carriers Not Allowed to Fly to Taiwan, Says MAC
(China Post, Nov. 21, 2002) No air carriers from mainland China will be allowed to operate indirect chartered flights to Taiwan in the coming Chinese New Year season.

It Is Time for Action Over Direct Links With Taiwan: Official
(AFP, Nov. 14, 2002) China's foreign trade minister urged Taiwan airlines to negotiate directly with the mainland over direct air links, saying talks with the island had "gone on for too long."

Direct Flight Links Still Three to Five Years Away
(China Post, Nov. 10, 2002) It may take three to five years for direct flights with the mainland to materialize, Taiwan's top national security official said.

Chen Calls for Vigilance Against China Military Threat
(Taiwan News, Nov. 9, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian again urged citizens of Taiwan to maintain a high level of vigilance against possible military threats from across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Rebuffs Jiang's Overture
(CNN.com, Nov. 9, 2002) Taiwan leaders have responded by reiterating that cross-Taiwan Strait talks could only commence without preconditions such as Beijing's one-China precept.

MND Airs Direct Links Provisions
(Taipei Times, Nov. 8, 2002) MND made public for the first time its recommendations to the government regarding the maintenance of national security while opening direct flights with China.

Beijing's Private Talks Offer on Cross-Strait Links Rejected
(China Post, Nov. 1, 2002) "Any form of direct links, including charter flights, will involve government authority, which cannot be completely replaced by the private sector," President Chen said.

Chen Insists Links Need Official Talks
(Taipei Times, Nov. 1, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian urged China to open negotiations on direct links across the Taiwan Strait but reiterated his stance that the government would have to be involved.

Taiwan Lukewarm on Beijing Offer
(CNN.com, Oct.31, 2002) Taipei has given a lukewarm response to Beijing's offer that talks on direct flight and business links can be held without referring to the "one China" principle.

China Says Air Links with Taiwan Can Resume Without Affecting Political Talks
(AP, Oct. 30, 2002) Commercial flights between China and rival Taiwan can begin without affecting talks on their political relationship, so long as the flights aren't described as "between country and country."

MAC Maintains Government Must Lead Cross-Strait Links Negotiations
(Taiwan News, Oct. 29, 2002) Negotiations between the two sides should be led and supervised by the government, and should be based on considerations of the nation's dignity and sovereignty.

Cross-Strait Charter Proposal Runs into Political Difficulties
(China Post, Oct. 29, 2002) The proposal by lawmakers for charter planes to transport Taiwan businessmen from the mainland for the lunar new year holiday is entangled in the "three links" controversy.

Taipei's Lawmakers Seek Charter Flights to China
(AP, Oct. 28, 2002) More than half of Taiwan's parliament members petitioned the government to allow Taiwanese airlines to run charter flights to China.

Chen Alerts 'Three Links' Not a Cure-All Medicine
(Taiwan News, Oct. 24, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian said that while the "three links" issue is important, it is not the panacea for the development of Taiwan's economy.

Chen Sees Qian Remark as Positive Step Forward
(Taiwan News, Oct. 20, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian welcomed a new overture from Beijing for talks on establishing direct cross-strait transportation links, by affirming that his administration is willing to open dialogue with China as long as no preconditions have been set.

Taiwan Mulling China Offer on Transport Links
(Taiwan News, Oct. 19, 2002) Premier Yu Shyi-kun said that the government would investigate and verify whether the overture made by Qian Qichen regarding direct "cross-strait" transportation links represented an official policy change by the Beijing authorities.

Mainland Offers Taiwan Goodwill Gesture
(China Daily, Oct. 18,2002) Beijing confirmed a relaxation in the wording describing future sea and flight routes across the Taiwan Straits, which will now be called as "cross-Straits" routes rather than "domestic" routes.

Taiwan Welcomes China Proposal on "Cross-Strait" Links
(Reuters, Oct. 17, 2002) Taiwan officials gave a cautious welcome to a reported move by China to de-politicise direct transport links between the island and the mainland by labelling routes as "cross-strait" rather than "domestic".

China's Qian: Links Talks With Taiwan Purely Econ Issue
(AP, Oct. 17, 2002) China's vice premier has said the establishment of direct air and shipping links with Taiwan is a purely economic issue that wouldn't require the island to first recognize Beijing's "one-China" principle.

PFP Legislators Seek Cross-Party Cooperation on Direct Links Bill
(Taiwan News, Oct. 15, 2002) Lawmakers of the opposition People First Party called for cooperation among the political parties to pass a bill in the current legislative session to establish direct trade, transportation and postal links between Taiwan and China.

Chen Pushes for FTA with Japan, Rejects China's Reference to 'Domestic' Air Links
(Taiwan News, Sep. 29, 2002) Taiwan cannot accept Beijing defining future direct cross-strait airlinks as domestic ones, President Chen Shui-bian said in an interview by Asahi Shimbun.

AIT Concerned Over Lack of Direct Transport Services to PRC
(China Post, Sep. 24, 2002) Douglas Paal, director of the Taipei office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), expressed his concern about the lack of direct transport services across the Taiwan Strait.

Cabinet Failure to Stem Capital Outflow Censured
(Taiwan News, Sep. 19, 2002) The nation's highest watchdog body approved a resolution to censure the executive branch for its failure to work out effective measures to slow down the outflow of Taiwan's capital to China.

Taiwan's TSMC Signs Investment Agreement with Shanghai
(Reuters, Aug. 29, 2002) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, said on Thursday it signed a conditional agreement to make an investment in Shanghai.

Cabinet Expands 'Mini' Links with China
(Taiwan News, Aug. 1, 2002) The Cabinet's "mini three-links" policy was further expanded new regulations that will allow Taiwanese businessmen and their relatives to travel between Taiwan and China via Taiwan's offshore islands, Kinmen and Matsu.

China Tells Taiwan to Keep Politics Out of Transport Talks
(Reuters, July 6, 2002) Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen urged Taiwan on Friday not to let politics interfere with talks on opening direct trade and transport links with the mainland in the latest of several overtures to the self-ruled island.

'Mini Three Links' Policy Expanded Further
(China Post, June 20, 2002) The Cabinet now allows Taiwan businessmen working in Fujian to make round-trips between Taiwan and the mainland Chinese province via Kinmen or Matsu.

TSU Not Against PRC Links: Lawmaker
(CNA, June 16, 2002) The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) would neither oppose three direct links with mainland China nor rule out contacts with Beijing, TSU Legislator Eric Tong-sheng Wu said.

Taiwan Govt to Submit Bill on Direct China Links
(AP, June 4, 2002) Bowing to public pressure, the government yesterday agreed to submit a Bill to the legislature to lift a 53-year ban on direct air and shipping links with China. But direct links would still need approval from Beijing.

MAC to Propose Bill to Facilitate Cross-Strait Links
(Taiwan News, June 4, 2002) Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen agreed to present to the Legislature an amendment to the law to open up direct cross-strait links. Tsai promised that within three months, Penghu would be included in the "mini three links."

Chinese Vessels Join Recovery Efforts
(Taiwan News, May 29, 2002) The search for bodies of the victims from the ill-fated China Airlines CI611 flight intensified yesterday as the search team has been enlarged by rescue ships and fishing boats from China.

China Says Taiwan Crash Shows Need for Direct Links
(Reuters, May 28, 2002) The deadly crash of a China Airlines aircraft in the Taiwan Strait highlights the urgent need to end a decades-old ban on direct air and shipping links, Chinese state media said.

China Open to Tsai-Wang Visit on Links: Report
(Taipei Times, May 26,2002) Chinese authorities would not reject a visit by Mainland Affairs Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen and Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng to talk about the opening of "direct links" if Tsai visited under an "appropriate position."

Mainland Firms to Hire Hi-Tech, Financial Experts from Taiwan
(AFP, May 24, 2002) Some 150 mainland Chinese firms are to recruit several hundred hi-tech and financial experts from Taiwan through recruitment agencies in Hong Kong and Taipei.

Taiwan Leader Urged to Honour 'Direct Links' Pledge
(China Daily, May 22, 2002) Chen Yunlin expressed his hope that the Taiwan authorities can authorize non-governmental groups to talk with the mainland as soon as possible so that the three direct links can be put into place at an early date.

Taiwan and China Ink Landmark Oil Exploration Pact
(Reuters, May 16, 2002) Taiwan's state-run Chinese Petroleum Corp (CPC) and its Chinese counterpart signed a landmark agreement for joint oil exploration, sidestepping political wrangling between Taipei and Beijing.

First Taiwanese Bank Inaugurates Office in Shanghai
(Taiwan News, May 16, 2002) Taiwan's United World Chinese Commercial Bank opened a representative office in Shanghai, becoming the first Taiwan bank to inaugurate a representative office in the financial hub of China.

Beijing Rejects Taiwan Delegation
(Reuters, May 11, 2002) Beijing says it will not meet with a delegation of Taiwanese negotiators unless President Chen Shui-bian abandons his party's pro-independence platform.

Chen Suggests Non-Gov't Groups May Aid Dialogue
(China Post, May 11, 2002) "Three links" negotiations could be conducted by non-government groups from both sides of the strait. Civilian groups may be authorized as envoys in the three links talks, although government direction will still be needed, the president said.

Opposition Says Chen Must Take Action
(Taiwan News, May 10, 2002) In the wake of President Chen Shui-bian's ambitious statements yesterday about sending members from his own party to negotiate with Chinese officials, KMT remains suspicious of Chen's goodwill; PFP lauds president's gesture toward Beijing.

Chen Ready to Sip Tea with China's Leaders
(AFP, May 9, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said on Thursday that he would send a delegation to China to seek reconciliation between his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Communist Party. 'If mainland leaders wish, I would like to invite them for tea at this tea house for a chat...to open a window for cross-strait reconciliation.'

Taiwan President to Send Negotiators to China
(Reuters, May 9, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said on Thursday he will send a delegation of officials from his party to China in August to get negotiations between Taiwan and the mainland going again.

China “Water Diplomacy” Taps into Taiwan
(CNN.com, May 6, 2002) Beijing is using "water diplomacy" to underscore Taiwan's dependence on the mainland and present itself as being helpful to the Taiwan public. More than 2000 tonnes of water was shipped to the outlying island of Matsu on Sunday from Fujian province.

Taiwan Under Pressure to Allow Freighter Link With Mainland
(NYT, May 5, 2002) The government of Taiwan is facing growing pressure to allow freighters to sail directly between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, as a way to reduce business costs and lessen tensions between the longstanding rivals.

Businessmen Return to Taiwan via 'Mini Links'
(CNA, March 31, 2002) A group of Taiwan businessmen in mainland China returned home via the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen Island to observe Tomb-Sweeping Day. A total of 128 Taiwan businessmen and their families sailed directly from Fujian Province's Xiamen to Kinmen.

Kinmen Not Helped by 'Mini Links'
(China Post, Dec. 29, 2002) More than half of the residents on Kinmen believe the limited three links installed two years ago haven't helped improve the development of their offshore island.

Taipei's Refusal Dashes Direct Charter Hopes
(China Daily, Nov. 22, 2002) Taipei's lack of sincerity and insistence at clinging to a political ideology, could dash the hope of setting up direct charter flights across the Taiwan Straits in time for next year's Spring Festival holidays.

Taiwan Takes a Slow Flight to China By Mike Chinoy
(CNN.com, Nov. 11, 2002) It is a complex and volatile issue and it is far from clear whether politics will permit cross-Strait air links to get off the ground any time soon.

Machiavellian Moves on Cross-Strait Links By Laurence Eyton
(Asia Times, Nov. 9, 2002) In the latest chapter of whether or not China and Taiwan will develop direct cross-Strait links, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has made a bizarre about-face, leaving many to wonder if there isn't more than meets the eye to this sudden policy switch.

Chinese Overture Welcomes in Taiwan By William Foreman
(Associated Press, Oct. 20, 2002) Frozen relations between Taiwan and China showed more rare signs of a thaw. The volley of goodwill in the past week has surprised many China watchers.

Control Yuan Demands 'Mini Links' Correction
(China Post, Sep. 4, 2002) The Control Yuan asked the Executive Yuan (Cabinet) to take corrective actions on what it called the failed "mini three links" policy governing the interaction between Taiwan's two frontline islands and nearby Fujian Province of mainland China.

Politics in Way of Cross-Strait Business: Hsu By James Renwick
(China Post, Aug. 29, 2002) Leading Taiwan entrepreneur and chairman of the Far Eastern Group, Douglas Tong Hsu said that he thinks it will only be a matter of time before "the three links" between Taiwan and mainland China are implemented.

China's Fujian Province Pumped Up for Taiwan Links By Edwin Chan
(Reuters, July 2, 2002) After attracting the first wave of investment from Taiwan in the 1980s, China's wealthy Fujian province is pumped up for a second. Taiwan money helped transform the southern region's ports into some of China's richest light industrial hubs.

If Beijing Truly Wants Links, Ditch the Missiles By Chen Lung-chu
(Taipei Times, June 11, 2002) China's threat to Taiwan is the constant focus of Taipei's national security considerations. There are many elements to national security, but defense, social and even economic security are central to it.

Poll Finds College Students Back Direct Links
(Central News Agency, May 27, 2002) A majority of Taiwan university students support the opening of direct trade, mail and transportation links, commonly known as the "three links," across the Taiwan Strait.

Chen's Olive Branch Scores Points, But Promises Little
(Taipei Times, May 13, 2002) Recent remarks by President Chen Shui-bian on cross-strait ties have scored points at home and abroad but have done little to move relations with China forward, observers say.

Taiwan Firms Get China Opening By Damian Grammaticas
(BBC, May 11, 2002) If President Chen Shui-bian allows organisations like airlines and shipping companies to negotiate with Beijing it would amount to a significant change of policy.