Three Links

~ 2001 ; 2002

Shorter-Distance Air Links Require Formal Talks: MAC
(CNA, Dec. 21, 2006) The opening of cross-Taiwan Strait charter flight services using "shorter, more direct routes" is basically agreeable to the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), but the plan can be implemented only after Taiwan and China complete official negotiations.

De Facto US Envoy Calls for Direct Taiwan-China Links
(AFP, Nov. 22, 2006) "We encourage Taiwan to negotiate with China to open the three links -- especially direct flights -- as soon as possible," Stephen Young, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), said.

First Cargo Plane to Fly from Taiwan to China
(AFP, July 19, 2006) A Boeing 747 with an undisclosed freight shipment is set to take off in the first direct chartered cargo flight between Taiwan and China.

Taiwan's China Air to Launch Cargo Flights to China
(Reuters, July 14, 2006) Taiwan's China Airlines has received approval from the government to launch charter cargo flights to China from next week, a company spokesman said on Friday.

Non-Stop Cross-Straight Flights for Holidays
(China Post, July 8, 20060 The government announced it is accepting applications from local airlines to make non-stop direct flights between Taiwan and China for traditional Chinese holidays and other special situations.

Taiwan launches charter flights with China
(AP, June 14, 2006) Taiwan and China said they've agreed to launch direct charter passenger flights between them during major holidays, a key trust-building step toward restoring regular direct flights.

US Businesses in Taiwan Call for Direct China Links
(Straits Times, May 31, 2006) US business leaders in Taiwan strongly urged the island's government to allow direct transport links with China, saying this will greatly bolster Taiwan's bid for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States.

Legislature Stalls over China Links
(Taiwan News, May 17, 2006) Violence broke out on the Legislature's floor as lawmakers sparred for the second time in five days over a proposed amendment that would permit direct transportation links with China.

DPP Puts Off rules on Direct Transport Links with China
(China Post, May 13, 2006) Lawmakers of the ruling party and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration have successfully blocked the opposition move to pass rules to open direct cross-strait transport links.

China and Taiwan Resume Flights
(BBC, Jan. 20, 2006) Direct passenger flights between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have begun for a limited period during the Chinese New Year holiday.

Most Taiwanese 'Back Direct Links'
(AFP, June 17, 2006) Sixty-one per cent of those polled by the United Daily News said they hoped the government would soon open the 'three links' with China.

Majority Found to Favor Direct Air Links
(Taiwan News, Nov. 30, 2005) Some 76 percent of the public favors opening of direct cross-strait flights with preconditions, while less than 13 percent think the ban on direct flights should be lifted unconditionally, according to a recent poll commissioned by the Mainland Affairs Council.

More Direct Flights Across the Strait for Chinese New Year
(Straits Times, Nov. 19, 2005) Beijing and Taipei announced simultaneously that there will be even more non-stop charter flights during the coming Chinese New Year holidays, following its historic launch earlier this year.

Taiwan Mulls Expansion of Cross-Strait Charter Flights
(Associated Press, Nov. 5, 2005) Taiwan is considering expanding charter flights to rival China for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, an official said yesterday, in the latest sign of improved commercial relations between the longtime adversaries.

Beijing Eager to Start Cross-Strait Flight Negotiations
(CNA, Nov. 4, 2005) A Beijing official in charge of aviation affairs sent a letter to the Taipei Airlines Association yesterday to request negotiations on matters concerning cross-strait charter passenger and cargo flights.

Chinese Minister Explores Taiwan’s Tourism Potential
(Financial Times, Nov. 1, 2005) Tourism minister of China is on a 10-day trip, “inspecting” Taiwan’s most famous travel destinations and its tourist infrastructure.

China Sends Top Tourism Officials to Taiwan
(Reuters, Oct. 28, 2005) China's top official in charge of tourism begins a 10-day visit to Taiwan, fuelling hopes the trip could open the floodgates for Chinese tourists to visit the island Beijing claims as its own.

Taiwan MAC Says 'Limited' Progress Regarding Charter Flight Talks with China (AFX, Sep. 20, 2005 ) The Mainland Affairs Council said the progress between Taipei and Beijing towards negotiations for charter cargo and passenger flights has been 'limited'.

PFP Chairman: Direct Flight Can Be Pilot Project
(Xinhuanet, Sep. 15, 2005) A Taiwan opposition party leader said that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland may try a pilot direct flight between Taipei and Shanghai.

Taiwanese Airlines Begin Flights over China
(Associated Press, Sep. 6, 2005) Taiwanese airlines began flying across China's airspace after the authorities on both sides agreed to let the carriers use mainland airspace.

China Approves Taiwan Flights over Its Airspace
(AFX, Sep. 3, 2005) China's aviation authorities approved applications from four Taiwanese airlines to fly over its airspace, Xinhua news agency reported.

Cross-Strait Flights Seen as Necessity
(Taiwan News, Aug. 28, 20050 The majority of people in Taiwan want to see the implementation of direct passenger and cargo charter flights between China and Taiwan, according to the results of a recent opinion poll.

China Views Taiwan Flights Request
(Reuters, Aug. 18, 2005) China is to accept applications from the island's airlines to use mainland airspace, state media has said, the latest sign of easing tensions between the two sides.

Premier Says China Can't Use Airspace
(TT, Aug. 5, 2005) Although the Cabinet said it will allow Taiwanese jetliners to fly through Chinese airspace, Premier Frank Hsieh said that the government will not allow Chinese aircraft to use Taiwanese airspace.

Taiwan Flights Can Use China Airspace
(AP, Aug. 4, 2005) Taiwan's Premier Frank Hsieh said his government would allow Taiwanese flights to overfly rival China's airspace for the first time in more than five decades.

Taiwan to Open Penghu for Cross-Strait Shipping
(CNA, Aug. 3, 2005) Premier Frank Hsieh said August 1 that if all goes well, the outlying island county of Penghu may be opened for direct point-to-point shipping services across the Taiwan Strait on an experimental basis, starting in September at the earliest.

China's Invitation Part of Its Tactics, MAC Chair Claims
(Taiwan News, Apr. 7, 2005) Beijing's invitation via a civic organization to discuss the implementation of cross-strait charter flights is nothing more than part of its "united front" tactics, Taiwan's top official with responsibility for cross-strait affairs said.

Cross-Strait Flights Initiative Rejected
Taipei Times, Mar. 12, 2005) Since China is intent on passing a bill that authorizes 'non-peaceful means' against Taiwan, the MAC said it was inappropriate to talk about direct flights.

China Proposes Business, Travel Links to Taiwan
(WP, Feb. 26, 2005) China suggested new economic and travel links with Taiwan designed to benefit the island's high-tech businessmen, its produce farmers and many families with loved ones on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

China Calls for Permanent Direct Air Links with Taiwan
(AFP, Feb. 21, 2005) China has told Taiwan's government to put its people's interests ahead of its "own narrow-minded political calculations" and allow permanent direct air links between the two sides.

Taiwan Leader Hopes Rival China will Discuss Direct Cargo Flights (AP, Feb. 16, 2005) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian urged China to consider discussing direct charter flights with the island, but warned that Beijing's proposed anti-secession law could further strain cross-strait relations.

US Welcomes China-Taiwan Air Diplomacy
(AFP, Jan. 30, 2005) The United States welcomed the launching of the first direct flights between rivals China and Taiwan since they spilt in 1949 after a civil war, saying it would help bring peace in the region.

Taiwan, China Launch First Direct Flights in Five Decades
(Reuters, Jan. 29, 2005) Taiwan and China launched historic charter flights with commercial jets flying non-stop between the foes for the first time in more than 55 years.

Students Upset at Being Left Out from China-Taiwan Flight
(AFP, Jan. 23, 2005) Taiwanese students studying on the mainland China say they are disappointed as they were left out of the first-ever direct chartered flights between Taiwan and the mainland

Taiwan, China Agree to First Charter Direct Flights
(AFP, Jan. 15, 2005) Taiwan and China agreed to set up their first direct flights for next month's Lunar New Year holidays. The 24 round-trip flights via Hong Kong airspace would connect the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou with Taipei and Kaosiung in Taiwan.

China Agrees to Direct Charter Flights with Taiwan
(Reuters, Jan. 10, 2005) China agreed to the first direct charter flights to and from arch rival Taiwan during the Lunar New Year holiday in February, the first such links in more than 50 years, Taiwan opposition legislators said.

Taiwan Delegation in China for Talks on Renewed Charter Flights (Bloomberg, Jan. 10, 2005) A Taiwan delegation led by opposition Nationalist Party members is in Beijing to negotiate renewed Lunar New Year charter flights between the island and China.

Kinmen, Matsu Mini Links Unpopular
(China Post, Jan. 9, 2005) A majority of residents on Kinmen and Matsu are unhappy with the government's four-year policy allowing the two outlying islands to have direct transport links with China's Fujian and Xiamen.

China Rejects Cross-Strait Charter Flights, MAC Reports
(CNA, Dec. 28, 2004) Mainland China is not interested in a proposed charter flight service for Taiwan businessmen operating on the mainland that would operate during the Chinese New Year holidays, Taiwan's top policy-planner for mainland Chinese affairs said.

Direct China Air Links Back on Taiwan Agenda
(CNA, Nov. 13, 2004) Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Joseph Wu expounded on the formula used in signing the Taiwan-Hong Kong aviation agreement in June 2002 in preparation for negotiations on the opening of direct charter cargo flights and Chinese New Year charter passenger flights.

Most Taiwanese against PRC on Links, Poll Finds
(Taiwan News, Oct. 18, 2004) Government-conducted survey reveals over 50% concur 'R.O.C. is Taiwan.' The majority of people in Taiwan do not agree with China's description of direct cross-strait charter flights as an "internal affair."

China-Taiwan Bickering Continues over 'Domestic' Flight Terms
(China Post, Oct. 14, 2004) Taiwan renewed its calls for China to take further steps to talk with the island about setting up direct air links across the Taiwan Strait, with China dashing this prospect by insisting on conditions politically unacceptable to Taiwan.

Taiwan, China Airlines Sign Mileage Deal
(AP, Sep. 11, 2004) Taiwan's largest carrier and the mainland's China Eastern Airlines said they will begin sharing mileage programs beginning Oct. 1 - the first such deal between airlines across the Taiwan Strait.

President Rejects China's 'Domestic Flights' Demand
(Taipei Times, Aug. 18, 2004) Taiwan could never accept China's demand of referring to the proposed air links across the Strait as "domestic flights," President Chen Shui-bian said.

Taiwan Offers Compromise on Direct China Links
(Reuters, Aug. 17, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian proposed on Tuesday to define direct transport links with rival China as cross-Strait routes, in a bid to bypass a longstanding political dispute, but Beijing is likely to ignore him.

Beijing to Talk with Taipei on 'Three Links'
(People’s Daily, July 1, 2004) Beijing said the mainland is ready to start talks on the establishment of the "three links" across the Straits, as long as Taipei agrees not to internationalize these links.

MAC Head Invites Chinese Official to Visit Taiwan
(Taiwan News, May 28, 2004) " I would like to again invite Mr. Wang Daohan to visit Taiwan. I am willing to arrange any (appointment) for you, no matter who you want to see," said Joseph Wu, chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council.

MAC Announces Expansion in Offshore Transshipment
(China Post, May 8, 2004) The government has expanded its offshore transshipment centers which accept cargo directly from China from its base in Kaohsiung harbor to include other ports such as Keelung and Taichung.

Taiwan Expands Transport Links With China
(AP, Jan. 31, 2004) Taiwan's government announced it will allow its citizens to travel directly to China via Taiwanese-controlled islands near the mainland's coast.

Opening Direct Links a Priority If Elected, Pan-Blue Camp Says
(CNA. Jan. 30, 2004) The opposition presidential ticket of Lien Chan and James Soong will immediately push for the opening of direct transportation links across the Taiwan Strait if elected.

Too Late for Cross-Strait Charter Flights
(China Post, Jan. 1, 2004) Despite Beijing's last minute concession, Taipei insisted that government-to-government negotiations precede charter flights.

President Welcomes Tourists from China
(China Post, Dec. 27, 2003) President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed the policy of welcoming mainland Chinese to take sightseeing trips to Taiwan.

Mainland Willing to Consult Taiwan on Chartered Flight
(Xinhuanet, Nov. 26, 2003) A Chinese mainland official said that the aviation sector on the Chinese mainland is willing to consult with Taiwan counterparts on the proposed chartered.

Cross-Strait Links No Cure-All: Chen
(AP, Nov. 18, 2003) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian said lifting a ban on direct flights and shipping to China would not be a 'cure-all' for the island's economy.

Plan for Cargo Flights from Taiwan to China in Doubt
(Financial Times; Sep. 25, 2003) Beijing and Taipei accused each other of lacking sincerity in efforts to allow easier transport links, clouding prospects for a planned Taiwanese trial of indirect scheduled cargo flights to mainland China.

China's Reaction to Indirect Charter Proposal Muted
(Taiwan News, Sep. 12, 2003) Doubts expressed by Beijing's government to the Chen Shui-bian administration make the likelihood of the measure's implementation uncertain.

MAC Unveils Indirect Cargo Flight Plan
(Taipei Times, Sep. 11, 2003) The government will operate a one-year trial in which domestic airlines will fly between Taiwan and Shanghai with a short stopover in Hong Kong.

Chen Announces Cargo Links Will Begin in October
(Taiwan News, Sep. 10, 2003) President Chen Shui-bian made the preliminary announcement that the government would carry out the direct transportation of cargo across the strait with China by October 19.

Chen Rejects Call for Expansion of 'Small Three Links'
(Taipei Times, Sep. 5, 2003) President Chen Shui-bian turned down a request from the Kinmen County government to expand links with China, saying national security can't be sacrificed.

Taiwan Report Opens Way for Transport Talks
(Financial Times, Aug. 16, 2003) The cabinet report on the impact of direct cross-straits ties, presented after nine months of deliberations, was dismissed in China as a gimmick to get votes at next year's Taiwan elections.

MND Mulls Costs of Direct Links
(China Post, Aug. 16, 2003) Defense minister Gen. Tang Yiau-min predicted soaring national defense costs with the implementation of direct cross-Taiwan Strait transportation links due to Beijing's military threats on Taiwan.

Chen's Plan Draws Mixed Rresponses
(Taiwan News, Aug. 15. 2003) While most businessmen welcomed President Chen Shui-bian's three-step program to open direct transportation links with mainland China, many opposition politicians said they remain skeptical about Chen's sincerity in pushing such a program and its feasibility.

Direct Links Could Begin by End of 2004, Chen Says
(Taiwan News, Aug. 14, 2003) President Chen Shui-bian announced that cross-strait direct commercial aviation and shipping links may begin to be realized by the end of 2004, if he is re-elected next March.

MAC Calls 'One China' Provision for Direct Links Unacceptable
(CNA, July 19, 2003) The notion that implementing direct cross-Taiwan Strait transportation links requires acceptance of the "one China" policy is unacceptable to all the people of Taiwan, a MAC official said.

Cabinet Decides to Reopen 'Mini Three Links'
(China Post, July 16, 2003) The Executive Yuan's decided to reopen the "mini three links" between the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu with the mainland province of Fujian.

Taiwan Mulls Shipping Links with China
(CNA, July 12, 2003) The government is mulling ways to facilitate shipping between Taiwan and China, and will put them into practice when the time is ripe, Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said.

'Three Mini-Links' to Resume Soon, MAC Announces
(Taiwan News, June 20, 2003) Taiwan has decided to partially resume the "three mini-links" with China in view of the decrease in the number of severe acute respiratory syndrome cases reported on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in recent weeks.

Taiwan Adviser Calls for Transport Links with China
(Financial Times, June 5, 2003) The Taiwanese government should present a proposal for direct transport links with China as soon as possible if it wants to remain in power, the president's new economic adviser has urged.

Taiwan to Allow Its Commercial Flights to Use China's Air Space During Mideast War
(AP, Mar. 22, 2003) This would be the first time Taiwanese commercial aircraft would be allowed to fly over China — which the island considers its biggest security threat.

Taiwan-China Charters Likely to Fly Without Intermediate Landing
(AFP, Mar. 9, 2003) Taiwan's ministry of transportation and communications has proposed allowing indirect cross-strait charters to fly on a detour without having to make an intermediate landing.

President Rules Out Implementing Direct Links
(Taipei Times, Feb. 27, 2003) Contrary to what he's been telling the business community, Chen said any further concessions on the disputed issue could threaten Taiwan's survival.

Taiwan President Rules Out Direct Cross-Strait Flights
(AFP, Feb. 12, 2003) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said civilian aircraft would not be allowed to fly directly across the Taiwan Strait even if air links with the Chinese mainland were restored after a half century hiatus.

Charter Services to Shanghai Conclude, Touted Successful
(China Post, Feb. 10, 2003) The charter flights between Taipei and Shanghai was completed after China Airlines carried around 240 businesspeople to the mainland.

Chen Says Cross-Strait Links Set to Improve
(China Post, Feb. 2, 2003) President Chen Shui-bian his administration will continue making all possible efforts to boost cross-strait rapprochement.

MAC Makes Direct Links in 2003 Top Objective
(Taiwan News, Jan. 31, 2003) "The real objective for the MAC is to implement direct links through bilateral negotiations in the first six months of this year."

Negotiations Must Precede Links, Says Premier
(Taiwan News, Jan. 28, 2003) Premier Yu Shyi-kun affirmed that direct links with China could only be realized through cross-strait negotiations based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, parity and dignity.

Taiwan to Consider More Flights to China
(AP, Jan. 27, 2003) Taiwan will consider approving charter flights to rival China for upcoming major holidays, the premier said.

Taiwanese Airliner Lands in China for First Time Since 1949
(WP, Jan. 26, 2003) A chartered jet operated by Taiwan's national airline landed here this morning to pick up passengers and fly them home across the Taiwan Strait for Chinese New Year.

Top MAC Official To Be on Historic Flight to Shanghai
(China Post, Jan. 26, 2003) A high-profile mainland affairs official will fly to Shanghai aboard the historic cross-strait charter flight from Taipei.

MAC Official Rejects China's Offer
(Taipei Times, Jan. 25, 2003) Taiwan rejected a call from China for negotiations between private companies from the two sides on direct transport links, but said such talks could be discussed via semi-official channels.

China's Vice Premier Urges Taiwan to Push Ahead on Direct Links
(AFP, Jan. 25, 2003) Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen has stepped up calls for Taiwan to drop opposition to the establishment of direct communication links, state media reported.

TSU Condemns Decision on TSMC
(Taiwan News, Jan. 24, 2003) Taiwan Solidarity Union lawmakers approval of TSMC's application to establish an eight-inch wafer factory in China, saying the decision was tantamount to "feeding a tiger meat."

Taiwan OKs in Principle TSMC Investment in China
(Reuters, Jan. 23, 2003) Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest contract microchip maker, won permission in principle from Taipei for a planned $898 million plant in China.

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's 6 Airlines Prepare for Indirect Service to China
(Dow Jones, Jan. 7, 2003) All of Taiwan's six airlines are readying indirect charter flight services to Shanghai, with five still awaiting approval from Chinese authorities after one received the green light last week.

Mainland China Approves FAT Indirect Charter Flights
(China Post, Jan. 5, 2003) The mainland has approved Taiwan airline Far Eastern Air Transport's plan to provide indirect charter flights during the Lunar New Year period.

Taiwan Airline Gets Historic China Air Rights
(Reuters, Jan. 4, 2003) A Taiwanese airline revealed a breakthrough in transport connections with China, saying it had been granted rights to fly charter services to the mainland during the Lunar New Year holidays.

Taiwan Sees Little Hope of China Air Links for 2 Years By Ralph Jennings (Reuters, Oct. 20, 2006) Scheduled flights between Taiwan and China will not begin for at least two more years because of routing and aircraft issues that stem from historic animosities between the two sides.

Besieged Taiwan Leader Sets Deal on China Flights By Keith Bradsher (New York Times, June 15, 2006) Facing an attempt in the legislature to pass a referendum on recalling the president, the government here unexpectedly announced that it had reached a deal with Beijing to allow many charter flights to and from mainland China.

Flights Give Hope to Better Taiwan-China Ties By Alice Hung
(Reuters, Feb. 20, 2005) The smooth exchange of non-stop charter flights between arch-foes Taiwan and China has raised hopes for permanent air links and better ties, but a long dispute over Taiwan independence can quickly destroy any goodwill.

Cross-Strait Flights Unlikely to Narrow Gap By Ralph Cossa
(Japan Times, Feb. 12, 2005) A week in Beijing and Taipei has convinced me that, on most issues, the two sides remain hopelessly divided. The difference was most stark when it came to Beijing's recently proposed Anti-Secession Law.

Flights Are a Sign of Progress for China, Taiwan By Daniel Sneider (Mercury News, Feb. 10, 2005) If Taipei and Beijing fail to build on the tentative progress made recently, the joyous scenes of dragon dancers greeting the flights across the Taiwan Strait will quickly fade.

Can Taiwan Afford to Ban Direct Flights Forever? By Ching Cheong (Straits Times, Feb. 9, 2005) The successful direct charter flights between both sides of the Taiwan Strait have made it more difficult for the Taiwanese authorities to justify a continued ban on direct links.

China, Taiwan Agree to Direct Flights By Philip P. Pan and Tim Culpan

(Washington Post, Jan. 16, 2005) Analysts said the agreement could signal the beginning of a thaw in relations, which have been strained for more than a year.

China Eyes Landmark Non-Stop Flights with Taiwan By Benjamin Kang Lim (Reuters, Jan. 12, 2005) China proposed one-off, non-stop charter flights between Chinese and Taiwan cities during the Lunar New Year holidays in February in a move seen aimed at easing tension between the foes.

China-Taiwan Links: Can't Do With Them, Can't Do Without Them By Larry Teo (Straits Times, Aug. 30, 2004) Taipei knows its economy will benefit from direct transport and trade links but fears there is a political price to pay.

Taipei to Shanghai, the Long Way By Bruce Einhorn
(BusinessWeek, June 7, 2004) It takes all day to make what should be a short journey. Why? Despite the close economic ties, politics insists on rerouting reality.

Taiwan Needs China Links for Free Port to Succeed By Richard Dobson (Reuters, May 17, 2004) Taiwan plans to open a free trade zone in September to regain its status as the world's number-four container port. But for that to happen it will need a sea change in relations with Beijing, which is widely seen as unlikely.

'Tree Direct Links' Provide More Security Guarantee for Taiwan People (People’s Daily, Dec. 27, 2003) Will the cross-Strait "three direct links" marginalize the Taiwan economy? At present, the Chinese mainland has become the major destination of overseas investment by Taiwan business people.

A Unified Cross-Strait Policy for Candidates By Chen Sung-shan
(Taipei Times, Sep. 23, 2003) Both the ruling and opposition parties tried to sell their cross-strait policies to China-based Taiwanese businesspeople by promising to start cross-strait talks on direct links.

Cross-Strait Links Possible. No, Really By Laurence Eyton
(Asia Times, Sep. 17, 2003) Taiwan's being on the verge of opening direct transportation and commercial links with mainland China has become something of a bad joke to businessmen on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. It has been talked about for a decade.

Chen Using Cross-Strait Issue for Own Gain By Chao Chun-shan
(Taipei Times, Aug 25, 2003) Chen wants to use the direct transportation platform's as an "inoculation" against the impact of his one-country-on-each-side dictum.

Taiwan Issues 1st Draft On Direct China Links Since '92
(Dow Jones, Aug. 15. 2003) In its first wide-ranging report on direct links since 1992, the Taiwan government estimated direct shipping with China would result in savings of around NT$820 million per year and halve shipping times.

Direct Links Are Not Ultimate Solution
(Editorial, Taiwan News, July 21, 2003) How can Taiwan be expected to make unilateral concessions to a country that has so far refused to renounce the use of force against Taiwan?

Across the Taiwan Strait
(Editorial, International Herald Tribune, Feb. 1, 2003) With a new generation taking charge in China, Beijing has wisely begun recalibrating its policies toward Taiwan.

Chinese Are Tempting Taiwan by Dangling Economic Fruit By Erik Eckholm
(New York Times, Jan. 28, 2003) Chinese officials have stepped up their charm offensive against Taiwan in recent days, dangling the fruits of closer economic ties and muffling their threat to bring Taiwan back to the motherland by force.

Cross-Strait Flights: Move Over, Lindbergh By Michael Taylor
(Asia Times, Jan. 28, 2003) While there is no denying that Taiwanese air carriers operating in China is a major development, its significance is in its historical importance, not economic, and it should be viewed in that context.

New Charter Flights Give Lift to Taiwan-Mainland Relations By Jadd Cheng
(Christian Science Monitor, Jan. 27, 2003) There is a growing sense, however, that most Taiwanese are willing to accept the idea of closer economic ties with China, including direct flights, while not necessarily supporting closer political ties.

Doubts over Impact of China-Taiwan Air Link By Mure Dickie
(Financial Times, Jan. 22, 2003) For some observers, the launch this weekend of the first commercial flights by Taiwanese airlines to mainland China in half a century offers graphic evidence of how Taipei and Beijing can overcome their differences.

Taiwan's Flights to China Slow to Take Off By Lawrence Chung
(Straits Times, Jan. 21, 2003) The first charter flights between China and Taipei, which begin on Sunday, have stirred little customer interest, but Beijing's approval is seen as a boost for relations.

Direct Links Not a Panacea, Says Presidential Aide
(Taiwan News, Jan. 5, 2003) The three direct links should not be seen as a cure for Taiwan's economic problems because their benefits have been oversold by their proponents, a presidential adviser said.