Cross-Strait Issues

Taiwan Pursues ‘Mutual Non-denial’ with China
(CNA, Sep. 5, 2008) Pursuing "mutual non-denial" between Taiwan and China remains a goal of President Ma Ying jeou's administration, given that "mutual recognition" is unattainable, Presidential Office spokesman said.

‘State to State’ Theory is Dead, Ma Says
(Taipei Times, Sep. 4, 2008) The relationship between Taiwan and China is not one between two countries, but a type of special relationship across the Taiwan Strait, President Ma Ying-jeou has told a Mexican newspaper, in a marked departure from former president Lee Teng-hui’s special state-to-state model of relations.

DPP against Easing Visa Policy on Kinmen
(Taiwan News, Aug. 26, 2008) The opposition Democratic Progressive Party said yesterday it strongly opposed government plans to give Chinese travelers landing or multiple visas upon arrival on the outlying island of Kinmen.

President Ma Offers Olive Branch to PRC in Kinmen Speech
(CNA, Aug. 25, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday promised that the outlying island of Kinmen, a former killing field in a battle between Taiwan and China, will be turned into a peace square, as cross-strait relations have been thawing.

Taiwan Succumbs to Panda Diplomacy
(Telegraph, Aug. 15, 2008) Taiwan finally succumbed to the appeal of panda diplomacy, saying it would accept a pair of the world's favourite bears offered as a token of friendship by China.

Stunning Policy Switch in Taiwan Plan to Open Manufacturing Sector to China (The Age, Aug. 14, 2008) Taiwan is planning the biggest step yet in its stunning policy reversal to draw closer to China — opening its manufacturing sector to Chinese investment.

Opposition Leader against ‘Diplomatic Truce’
(CNA, Aug. 10, 2008) Opposition Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen expressed strong disapproval yesterday of a "diplomatic truce" with China, saying the idea is tantamount to a "unilateral surrender of arms" on Taiwan's part.

Taiwan Eases Listing Ban on China-Owned Firms
(AFP, Aug. 1, 2008) Taiwan said Thursday that firms more than 20 percent owned by Chinese shareholders would no longer be banned from listing on the island's bourse, as ties between Taipei and Beijing continue to improve.

President Endorses MAC Head
(China Post, Jul. 30, 2008) Local media described Ma's visit as an effort to shore up support for Lai, the MAC Chairwoman, who has come under fire from opposition parties for allegedly failing to uphold Taiwan's sovereignty.

Taiwan Officials to Attend Beijing Olympics Games
(CNA, Jul. 28, 2008) The Cabinet-level Sports Affairs Council announced yesterday that Minister Without Portfolio Ovid J. L. Tzeng, SAC Minister Tai Hsia-ling and Education Minister Cheng Jei-cheng will attend the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the invitation of the International Olympic Committee.

Taiwan to Open Five Sectors to China by Year End: Report
(Reuters, Jul. 25, 2008) The five areas are the financial, economic, transport, human resources and land sectors, Taiwan's two Chinese language business dailies reported, citing Premier Liu Chao-shiuan.

Taiwan Insists on ‘Chinese Taipei’
(China Post, Jul. 25, 2008) Taiwan's national team will withdraw from the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games if it’s title in the event is changed into "Taipei, China" from the established name of "Chinese Taipei" by Olympics authorities, a top sports affairs official said yesterday.

Cross-strait Peace Vital: SEF Head
(CNA, Jul. 22, 2008) Taiwan's top negotiator with China called for the government yesterday to use the opportunity of thawing cross-strait relations to achieve peace and create a win-win economic situation.

Time Not Ripe for Meeting with Hu Jintao, Ma Says
(Taipei Times, Jul. 20, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said he had no immediate plans to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao despite his intention to improve cross-strait relations, and repeated his call on China to remove the missiles it targets at Taiwan.

Taiwan to Raise Ceiling on China-bound Investment
(AFP, Jul. 16, 2008) Taiwan is expected later this week to raise the ceiling on corporate investments in China to 60 percent of an island-based company's net worth, officials said Tuesday.

Taiwan’s Change in China Policy Could Make World Reconsider Its Role (CNA, Jul. 13, 2008) The China policies of President Ma Ying-jeou and his administration could create a new image for the country and make the world reconsider Taiwan's role, France's top official here said earlier this week.

Direct Marine Links, Cargo Flights on Agenda of Next Strait Talks
(CNA, Jul. 12, 2008) Issues concerning the opening of direct marine links between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and the launch of cross-strait cargo flights will be on the agenda of the next round of talks between two intermediary bodies of the two sides.

Taiwan’s Ma Says Chip Makers Should Be Allowed More China Access (Reuters, Jul. 11, 2008) Taiwan should let its chip makers build state-of-the-art, 12-inch wafer plants in China, President Ma Ying-jeou said, reiterating an earlier pledge to loosen restrictions on cross-strait investment.

Taiwan Nixes China Move to Change Olympic Name
(AP, Jul. 10, 2008) A senior Taiwan official has rejected China's attempts to change the name under which the island will compete in next month's Olympics, striking a discordant note to the two sides' recently improved relations.

Taiwan to Relax More China Restrictions
(Reuters, Jul. 9, 2008) Taiwan plans to relax restrictions to allow more investment between itself and Chi na, in its latest effort to warm trade ties with its largest trading partner, Economics Minister Yiin Chii-ming said on Tuesday.

China’s Top Negotiator to Visit Taiwan after Olympic Games
(China Post, Jul. 8, 2008) Chairman Chen Yunlin of the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) is expected to make a landmark visit to Taiwan in the autumn, according to one of his deputies.

Taiwan Exports Grow on China Demand
(Bloomberg, Jul. 8, 2008) Shipments to China, the island's biggest market, and Hong Kong rose 25.5 percent, accelerating from a 23.5 percent increase in May.

Historic China Flight Lands in Taiwan
(AFP, Jul. 4, 2008) "Today is a new start in the history of exchanges between the two sides," "At present, cross-Strait relations are facing a rare opportunity for development," Wang Yi, director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said in Beijing.

President Calls on China to Stop Taiwan’s International Isolation
(CNA, Jul. 4, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou called on China yesterday to end its isolation of Taiwan in the international community, saying such a move is essential to improving relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese Tourists Head for Red Carpet in Taiwan
(Strait Times, Jul. 2, 2008) Taiwan is set to roll out the red carpet Friday for a landmark visit by Chinese tourists, who will be flying directly from the mainland - something unthinkable until just a few weeks ago.

Chinese State Media Allowed Back in Taiwan in Goodwill
(China Post, Jul. 1, 2008) The Government Information Office will immediately allow China’s Xinhua News Agency and People’s Daily to station reporters in Taiwan, a spokesperson for the Cabinet said yesterday.

Taiwan’s Exports to China Top 30% of Total
(CNA, Jun. 30, 2008) Taiwan's exports to China from January to April surpassed 30 percent of the country's total exports, recording US$26.09 billion and representing a rise of 20.3 percent year-on-year.

Mao Comes to Taiwan
(Forbes, Jun. 27, 2008) As part of comprehensive financial liberalization measures announced Thursday, Taiwan will allow the conversion of the yuan into Taiwanese dollars in banks across the island.

Taiwan’s Top China Negotiator Reassures US on Mainland Ties
(AP, Jun. 20, 2008) Taiwan's top China negotiator said Thursday the rapid development of relations with Beijing is not a threat to the United States, Taipei's most important foreign partner.

Scholars Assert Taiwan Is Rushing Cross-strait Talks
(CNA, Jun. 19, 2008) China has gained the upperhand in cross-Taiwan Strait negotiations as the result of Taiwan's rush to sign agreements, scholars said Tuesday, and they urged President Ma Ying-jeou to develop a comprehensive strategy for the talks to regain the initiative.

Chiang Expresses Wish to Expand Global Role
(Taiwan News, Jun. 14, 2008) Taiwan's top negotiator yesterday told Chinese leaders of Taiwan's wish to expand its participation in international affairs, and suggested that the two sides work together to make active and positive contributions to the well being of the international community as a whole.

US Welcomes China-Taiwan Talks
(AFP, Jun. 13, 2008) The United States welcomed the start Thursday of historic talks between China and Taiwan aimed at consolidating a dramatic rapprochement and building trade ties.

China, Taiwan Talks Move Ahead in Beijing
(AFP, Jun. 12, 2008) China and Taiwan agreed on Thursday to open representative offices to handle visa issues, despite a lack of diplomatic ties between the two countries, reports here said. Timeline: Milestones in China-Taiwan Relations since 1949 A timeline composed by Reuters.

Taiwan Delegation Departs for Historic China Talks
(AP, Jun. 11, 2008) A Taiwanese delegation left for Beijing on Wednesday for the first formal meeting between the sides since 1999 — the first step in President Ma Ying-jeou's ambitious plan to cool tensions across the perennially nervous Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Leader Upbeat about China Talks
(AFP, Jun. 10, 2008) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Monday voiced optimism about this week's historic talks with China, as the self-ruled island's negotiators headed to the mainland.

MAC Official to Join Negotiation Team
(Taipei Times, Jun. 9, 2008) Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Fu Don-cheng will be part of the 19-member negotiation team heading to Beijing on Wednesday to negotiate direct cross-strait flights and opening the nation to Chinese tourists, making Fu the most senior Taiwanese official to ever participate directly in cross-strait negotiations.

China, Taiwan Look to Build Trust at Historic Talks
(AFP, Jun. 8, 2008) China and Taiwan will this week hold historic talks aimed at building trust following decades of angry rhetoric and military tensions that made their relationship one of the world's potential flashpoints.

MAC Welcomes Resumption of Cross-Strait Talks
(CNA, Jun. 7, 2008) Welcoming the resumption of the SEF-ARATS talks next week, officials from the Presidential Office said they will mark the end of the "Macau formula" for cross-strait talks and the beginning of SEF-ARATS dialogue.

Ma: Missile Withdrawal Precondition for China Talks
(Yomiuri Shimbun, Jun. 6, 2008) Taiwan will demand China withdraw ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan as a precondition for future peace talks with China, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said in an exclusive interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun.

China ‘Truce’ Not Top Priority: FM
(CNA, Jun. 3, 2008) Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco H.L. Ou said yesterday that discussions between Taipei and Beijing on a "diplomatic truce" will have to wait until there is positive interaction on economic and trade issues, but he suggested that Taiwan would no longer engage in a diplomatic tug-of-war with China.

China’s Ex-Ambassador to Japan to Run Taiwan Office
(Strait Times, Jun. 3, 2008) A Chinese diplomat who oversaw detente with Japan has been appointed China's key official steering policy towards Taiwan as Beijing seeks to draw closer to the self-ruled island it regards as part of its territory.

KMT Chairman Suggests Missile Gesture
(Taipei Times, Jun. 2, 2008) Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung said yesterday that China could demonstrate its goodwill toward Taiwan by reducing the number of ballistic missiles it has pointing at Taiwan.

Senior Chinese Diplomat to Run Taiwan Office: Sources
(Reuters, May 31, 2008) Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi will replace Chen Yunlin as head of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, or cabinet, two sources close to the Chinese government told Reuters.

China and Taiwan Discuss Direct Flights
(NYT, May 30, 2008) After a break of almost a decade, China and Taiwan agreed Thursday to resume discussions on issues such as visits by mainland Chinese to the island and the introduction of regular direct charter flights between them, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Press Hails China-Taiwan Talks
(BBC, May 29, 2008) The agreement between China and Taiwan to restart formal talks on strengthening ties after almost a decade is broadly welcomed by the press.

China and Taiwan to Restart Talks
(BBC, May 29, 2008) China invited Taiwanese officials to attend talks in Beijing from 11 June, with the focus on tourism and charter flights.

Hu Urges Restart of Cross-Straits Talks
(China Daily, May 29, 2008) General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Hu Jintao pledged Wednesday to resume cross-Straits dialogue at the earliest date.

China President, Taiwan Official Meet in Beijing By Mark Magnier and Tsai Ting-I (LA Times, May 29, 2008) The first meeting between the heads of the two ruling parties in six decades is another sign of warming relations between the two governments.

Taiwan Party Chief Meets Top Chinese Leader
(AP, May 28, 2008) The chairman of Taiwan's Nationalist Party arrived Tuesday in Beijing for discussions with Jia Qinglin, the fourth-most-powerful person in the Communist Party, who called for the rivals to peacefully develop their ties through dialogue.

SEF Cleared for Resuming Talks
(China Post, May 27, 2008) The Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) authorized yesterday the semi-private Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) to swiftly restart negotiations with its Chinese counterpart on the launch of cross-strait passenger and cargo flights, as well as the arrival of Chinese tourists.

Wu to Meet Hu on Wednesday
(China Post, May 26, 2008) Kuomintang chairman Wu Po-hsiung will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday to make sure direct charter flights will start across the Taiwan Strait on weekends in July.

DPP Opposes Maneuvering of ‘2nd Channel,’ Official Says
(CNA, May 26, 2008) An opposition Democratic Progressive Party heavyweight said yesterday that the DPP opposes the so-called "second channel" that the ruling Kuomintang is employing to maneuver the China policy of the KMT administration which has been in office for just five days.

Taiwan’s Ruling Party Chief to Visit China in a Sign of Warming Ties (AP, May 25, 2008) Wu Poh-hsiung, chairman of the Nationalist Party, will make a six-day trip to China, the first by the head of a ruling Taiwanese party.

Taiwan’s New President Calls for Reopening of Dialogue with China (AFP, May 24, 2008) Taiwan's new President Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang (KMT) party Saturday renewed his call on Beijing to set aside sovereignty disputes and reopen negotiations with the island.

Taiwan and China to Restart Talks in June, MAC Head Says
(China Post, May 24, 2008) Taiwan and China will next month resume direct talks after more than a decade, the new ahead of the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday.

Ma Welcomes Beijing’s Reaction
(Taipei Times, May 23, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday welcomed Beijing’s response to his inaugural address and urged both sides to establish mutual trust and resume bilateral communications.

Peaceful Development of Cross-Strait Ties Reaffirmed
(China Daily, May 22, 2008) A senior Chinese mainland official said Thursday the mainland will strengthen the exchange with various parties, groups and personages in Taiwan to jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Taiwan Expects an Era of Detente with Rival China as It Inaugurates a New President (AP, May 19, 2008) The eight-year presidency of feisty Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian drew toward a close Monday, with his mild-mannered successor promising to seek greater economic cooperation with rival China and end nearly six decades of tensions.

KMT Chairman to Visit China
(China Post, May 18, 2008) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung of the incoming ruling Kuomintang (KMT) is scheduled to visit China May 26-31 at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), marking the highest-level contact between leaders of the ruling parties across the Taiwan Strait.

People in China Give Thanks to Taiwan for Their Donations
(China Post, May 17, 2008) The quick response and generous donations of Taiwanese entrepreneurs and the general public to the relief campaign in China's Sichuan Province hit by a devastating earthquake have won warm praise and appreciation from people in China.

Unification with China Unlikely 'in Our Lifetimes': President-Elect
(AP, May 16, 2008) Taiwan's new leader Ma Ying-jeou said that unification with longtime rival China is unlikely "in our lifetimes" because Taiwanese oppose the mainland's authoritarian rule. Ma's comments came just five days before his inauguration.

Taiwan, China Launch Joint Relief Mechanism
(China Post, May 15, 2008) Volunteers and planeloads of more than 150 metric tons of relief goods from Taiwan will arrive in the disaster area hit by a devastating earthquake in China's Sichuan Province, marking the launch of the first ever joint relief operation between Taiwan and China.

Ma Kicks Off Fund-Raising for China's Quake Relief
(China Post, May 14, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou, who is due to take office next Tuesday, sprang into action by calling for financial donations and providing emergency assistance to victims affected by the deadly 7.9-magnitude quake that struck China's southwestern province of Sichuan.

President-Elect Ma Calls for 'Diplomatic Truce' with China
(China Post, May 11, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou called for a "diplomatic truce" with China to create a win-win situation, signaling a more pragmatic and reconciliatory approach in his diplomatic and mainland China policies.

MAC's Lai Accepts '1992 Consensus'
(China Post, May 2, 2008) Lai Shing-yuan, chairwoman-designate of the Mainland Affairs Council, professed she is a proselyte in an all-out effort to keep her job. She called a press conference, the second one in as many days,to declare she espoused what Su Chi, a former MAC chairman, calls the consensus of 1992.

President-Elect Confident of July Opening of Weekend Charter Flights
(CNA, May 2, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) said Thursday he is confident that weekend charter flights across the Taiwan Strait will take off in July as expected.

Taiwan's Incoming Chief of China Affairs Rejects Claims She Supports Independence (AP, May 1, 2008) Taiwan's incoming chief of China affairs said Thursday she backs President-elect Ma Ying-jeou's policies of boosting ties with the mainland, rejecting accusations she is a closet supporter of formal independence for the island.

Beijing Has No Comment on Lai Appointment
(Taipei Times, May 1, 2008) Beijing refused to comment on the appointment of a pro-Taiwan former legislator as the head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), but said it looked forward to collaborating with the new administration on establishing direct weekend flights starting in July. “What we really care about is the future development of cross-strait relations.”

Lien, Hu Pledge Peace, Cooperation
(China Post, Apr. 30) Both Honorary Chairman Lien Chan of the incoming ruling Kuomintang (KMT) and Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is concurrently Chinese Communist Party leader, pledged to continue working for peace and well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Former Pro-Independence Lawmaker Named Top Policymaker on China (Taiwan News, Apr. 28, 2008) Former TSU lawmaker Lai Shin-yuan, known for her advocacy of Taiwan independence and close ties to former president Lee Teng-hui, was appointed as the Mainland Affairs Council chairwoman responsible for formulating policies toward China.

Chinese Tycoons Seek Investment in Taiwan Property Market
(AP, Apr. 22, 2008) A group of Chinese property tycoons toured Taiwan on Tuesday as island trade authorities began a new effort to woo major investments from its giant neighbor. The property developers were the first mainland group to visit Taiwan since Ma Ying-jeou was elected president on March 22.

China Opens Door to Taiwan’s Lawyers
(AFP, Apr. 17, 2008) Taiwanese have been given the green light to take China’s judicial exam to practice law in China, China’s state media reported. The move would help promote cross-strait exchanges and provide better legal services.

China Hints at Taiwan Talks Once New President in Office
(Reuters, Apr. 16, 2008) China on Wednesday hinted that talks with Taiwan could happen once the island's president-elect, Ma Ying-jeou, takes office in mid-May, but stopped short of directly confirming what could be landmark discussions.

Taiwan Wants Chinese Tourists, Yuan Convertibility: Official
(AFP, Apr. 16, 2008) Taiwan's incoming Kuomintang government wants to attract more mainland tourists and make it easier to convert the Chinese yuan on the island by July, a senior party official said.

Chiang Pin-kung Set to Take over Post as SEF Chief, Ma Says
(Taiwan News, Apr. 15, 2008) Taipei, President-elect Ma Ying-jeou confirmed that he will name Kuomintang Deputy Chairman Chiang Pin-kung as head of the quasi-official Straits Exchange Foundation, and that efforts to push for talks between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will begin after his inauguration May 20.

Record Number of Taiwanese Say Cross-Strait Ties Friendly: Survey
(AFP, Apr. 14, 2008) A record number of Taiwanese considered cross-strait relations friendly after vice president-elect Vincent Siew's recent landmark meeting with China President Hu Jintao, a survey showed. The survey said 39.4 percent considered cross-strait relations as friendly.

Taiwan VP-elect Meets China's Hu
(AP, Apr. 12, 2008) Taiwan's next vice president sat down with Chinese leader Hu Jintao for a brief but historic chat Saturday, raising hopes that the rivals would begin to ease six decades of hostilities. The meeting between Hu and Vincent Siew marked the first time such a high-ranking elected figure from Taiwan visited a Chinese president. The 20-minute talk at a tropical island resort was largely symbolic, focusing on boosting economic ties.

U.S. Welcomes China-Taiwan Talks
(AFP, Apr. 12, 2008) The United States welcomed Friday the upcoming landmark meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Taiwan's vice president-elect Vincent Siew, saying it was "the best way forward" to settling cross-strait tensions.

Ma: Taiwan to Join International Organizations under 'Chinese Taipei'
(CNA, Apr. 4, 2008) Taiwan's President-elect Ma Ying-jeou signaled his intention Friday to employ pragmatism and flexibility in his foreign policy, stating that "Chinese Taipei" is an acceptable name for Taiwan to use in international organizations, a suggestion that represented a significant departure from the position of the current administration.

China Renews Giant Panda Offer to Receptive Taiwan
(Reuters, Apr. 4, 2008) China seeks to renegotiate with Taiwan a twice-rejected donation of two giant pandas, a token of Beijing's quest to unify with the self-ruled island that it sees as its own, an official newspaper said.

Ma Sees Role for KMT-CCP in Cross-Strait Talks
(Taipei Times, Apr. 1, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou said that the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) would take charge of future cross-strait negotiations, but the party-to-party communication platform between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may still remain.

Wen Calls for China-Taiwan Talks, Direct Links, Xinhua Reports
(Bloomberg, Mar. 31, 2008) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for talks with Taiwan to resume and for more economic, trade and cultural ties, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, his first comments since Ma Ying-jeou's election as president.

Bush Urges Hu to Reach Out to Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Mar 28, 2008) US President George W. Bush urged Chinese President Hu Jintao in a telephone conversation to use Taiwan's presidential election to take positive actions to peacefully resolve cross-strait tensions, the White House said. In response, Hu indicated a willingness to reopen cross-strait talks on the basis of the so-called "1992 consensus," which stipulates that both sides concede separate interpretations of the "one China" policy.

Ma Says He Will Focus on Economic Ties
(Taipei Times, Mar. 24, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou pledged to seek closer economic ties with China and resuscitate the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) as a communication channel on cross-strait issues.

Ma Repeats 'Mutual Non-Denial' Policy
(China Post, Mar. 14, 2008) President-elect Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday his future government would focus on improving strained cross-strait relations under the principle of "mutual non-denial."

China's Wen Offers to Resume Talks with Taiwan
(Reuters, Mar. 18, 2008) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao offered to resume talks with self-ruled Taiwan which China claims as its own and warned the island that passage of a contentious referendum on U.N. membership would disrupt ties.

China Offers Talks with Taiwan on Equal Footing
(Reuters, Mar. 4, 2008) - Chinese President Hu Jintao offered broad peace talks with self-ruled Taiwan under its "one China" policy, weeks before the island elects a new president, but Taiwan rejected Beijing's conditions.

Ma Sets Timetable for Cross-Strait Air Travel
(China Post, Mar. 1, 2008) Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou set a timetable for regular cross-strait flights that he would implement if elected. Ma said weekend charter flights would be introduced by July 1, with daily charter flights between China and Taiwan to be available by the end of this year.

Taiwan-China Trade Hits Record High
(AFP, Feb. 29, 2008) Despite political rivalry, bilateral trade between Taiwan and China rose 16.1 percent in 2007 to a record 102.3 billion US dollars on the back of expanding cross-strait exchanges. China remained Taiwan's largest trading partner last year accounting for 21.9 percent of the island's total external trade last year, compared to 20.6 percent for 2006.

Taiwan, PRC Clash over Kosovo Independence
(AP, Feb. 19, 2008) Barely a day after declaring independence, Kosovo was already the center of a diplomatic spat yesterday between rivals China and Taiwan. China's Foreign Ministry blasted a statement by Taiwan welcoming the former Serbian region's independence, saying the self-governing island did not meet the criteria for recognizing other countries.

Taiwan Gives Chinese Tourists Red Carpet Welcome
(China Post, Feb. 12, 2008) A total of 668 Chinese tourists aboard the Rhapsody of the Sea enjoyed a warm welcome yesterday soon after the largest ocean liner in Asia berthed at the Keelung harbor in northern Taiwan at 11 a.m., marking a historic visit to the island by the largest-ever Chinese tourist group.

Wu Pushes US on China's Fight Rout
(Taipei Times, Jan. 27, 2008) Although China has yet to announce a planned flight route 4.2 nautical miles (7.8km) to the west of the tacit median line dividing the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan must stay on top of the issue, Taiwan's top representative to the US said.

China, Hong Kong Replace US as Taiwan's Top Export Source
(Agence France Presse, Jan. 24, 2008) China and Hong Kong have knocked-off the United States as the number one source for export orders following the release of annual figures. The economic ministry said export orders from Hong Kong and China reached 91.42 billion US dollars in 2007, surpassing the 84.53 billion registered from the United States.

No Progress Made on Easing China Investment Rules
(Taiwan News, Jan. 22, 2008) Taiwan's government said that it has no progress to report on plans to relax restrictions on Chinese investment in the island's real estate. The Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council also denied that the government may ease curbs on Taiwanese companies investing in China before the March presidential election.

Taiwan's Ma Chides Rival China for Stealing Diplomatic Allies
(AP, Jan. 17, 2008) Taiwanese presidential front-runner Ma Ying-jeou said that China's efforts to steal Taiwan's diplomatic allies could anger the island's people and give new life to the pro-independence sentiment Beijing abhors.

Direct Charter Flight Sends Sick Taiwan Businessman Back to Taipei (Xinhua, Jan. 5, 2008) An Airbus aircraft flying directly from Taiwan to Nanchang in east China, carried a Taiwan businessman, who had suffered a heart attack, back for treatment. It was the first direct flight between Taiwan and Nanchang, capital of the eastern province of Jiangxi, saving at least two hours compared with the regular route via Hong Kong.

Taiwan Leader Calls for Unconditional Peace Accord with China
(AFP, Jan. 1, 2008) Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian called for the signing of a peace agreement with China, but said any accord would have to be unconditional. Chen was responding to Chinese President Hu Jintao's call in October for an agreement to formally end the state of hostilities across the Taiwan Strait.

Cross-Strait Relations: First the Easy Steps, Then the Difficult Ones By Alan D. Romberg (China Leadership Monitor, Hoover Institution, Fall 2008) If the political leaderships on both sides can continue to score a string of successes, perhaps a greater sense of mutual trust will grow, enabling each to move to the more difficult political and security steps.

China’s Georgia War Lesson: Today’s Breakaway Bites back Later By Viola Gienger and Dune Lawrence (Bloomberg, Aug. 19, 2008) Is this a precedent for intervention that could be used to keep Taiwan out of China or separate Tibet from China? This dispute could cut either way for the Chinese, and so the safest thing to do is to remain silent.

China Unlikely to Go to War Over Taiwan, Says Defense Expert By Mike Steketee (The Australian, Aug. 19, 2008) China is unlikely to be a military threat and the chances of a conflict over Taiwan are diminishing, according to Professor Jonathan Pollack.

Taiwan Must Play a Waiting Game By Nat Bellocchi
(Taipei Times, Aug. 13, 2008) The Olympic Games have begun, and political issues regarding China, including cross-strait relations, will have to wait until after Aug. 24 — at least. Even then there could be problems within the Chinese government.

Interview: Ou Talks about Taiwan’s ‘Diplomatic Truce’
(Taipei Times, Aug. 10, 2008) Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou sat down with ‘Taipei Times’ staff reporter and offered his views on Taiwan’s diplomacy and the strategy his ministry is using to help expand Taiwan’s international space.

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