Cross-Strait Issues

Polls

Opinion Poll on Taiwan’s Future
(UDN, Nov. 17, 2011) 53% of respondents want to maintain Taiwan’s status quo forever.

Opinion Poll on Cross-Strait Peace Agreement
(UDN, Oct. 25, 2011) 23% of respondents thought Ma’s proposal of a cross-Strait peace agreement would help Ma-Wu ticket’s 2012 election prospects, 18% said it would hurt, and 35% thought it would have no impact.

Opinion Poll on Current Cross-Strait Relations
(MAC, Jan. 10, 2011) 72.6% of respondents supported dealing with cross-strait matters through institutional consultations.

Survey on President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating, Democratic Progress Party’s China Policy and People’s Views on the Unification-Independence Issue (GVSRC, Dec. 23, 2010) 34.6 percent of the respondents were content with President Ma’s performance; meanwhile, 53.7% said DPP’s should adjust its China policy and move toward openness.

2010 Opinion Poll on Cross-Strait Relations
(UDN, Sep. 13, 2010) 51% of Taiwanese people support maintaining the cross-Strait status quo forever.

Taiwanese Have Little Fear of War with China: Survey
(AFP, Sep. 12, 2010) There is little fear in Taiwan of war with China, but the island's public has somewhat negative feelings towards the mainland's government and people, a survey published showed.

Survey on President Ma Ying-jeou’s Performance for His Two Year Anniversary in Office, Democratic Progressiv Party’s China Policy and the Future Cross-Strait Relations (GVSRC, May 25, 2010) President Ma and his administration received 55.1 on a 0-100 point scale. Meanwhile, 53 percent of people said the exchanges between DPP and mainland China would advance Taiwan’s interests.

Survey on Taiwanese People’s Trust in the U.S. President, Cross-Strait Leaders and Major Political Parties and Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Nov. 23, 2009) 52.9 percent of Taiwanese say Obama is friendly toward Taiwan; meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating this month is 28.3 percent.

Survey on President Ma Ying-jeou’s Performance after Assuming KMT Chairpersonship, Ma-Hu Meeting, and Taiwanese People’s Views on Unification with China and Independence (GVSRC, Oct. 22, 2009) President Ma’s approval rating is 29.5 percent; meanwhile, 43.9 percent said it was appropriate if President Ma and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao met as leaders of ruling parties across the Strait.

Views on Current Cross-Strait Relations
(MAC, Oct. 2, 2009) A survey on people’s opinions on the cross-strait relations, conducted by the Mainland Affairs Council.

Poll on the Possible Ma-Hu Meeting
(China Times, Aug. 4, 2009) A survey on the public’s opinions about a possible Ma-Hu Meeting, translated by the Kuomintang News Network.

Survey on President Ma’s Approval Rating and Cross-Strait Relations After First Year of Direct Flights (GVSRC, Jul. 24, 2009) 35.5 percent of Taiwanese approve of President Ma’s governance; 44.2 percent of Taiwanese are satisfied with the benefits brought by direct cross-strait flights.

China Tops List of Unfriendly Countries Despite Improved Relations: Survey (CNA, Jul. 15, 2009) China has remained at the top of a list of countries that people of the younger generation believe are unfriendly toward Taiwan, according to the results of a survey released.

Taiwanese Mean Business, While Chinese See Family
(China Post, Jul. 1, 2009) About two-thirds of Taiwanese see China as a business partner or a friend at most, preferring to maintain at a certain distance, while over half of Chinese view their cross-strait counterparts as family, a survey shows. Survey on How Each Side of Taiwan Strait Views the Other polled by GVSRC and translated by the KMT net.

Poll on First Anniversary of Resumption of Cross-Strait Dialogues
(SEF, May 27, 2009) A poll on cross-strait relations conducted by the Strait Exchanges Foundation.

Survey on President Ma’s Approval Rating on First Anniversary of Inauguration and Cross-Strait Issues (GVSRC, May 25, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou’s approval rating on the first anniversary of his inauguration: his approval rating is 38.9 percent, and his disapproval rating is 48.6 percent.

One in Three Unimpressed by Chinese Tourists: Survey
(CNA, May 11, 2009) A total of 33 percent of the respondents to a recent poll said they are unimpressed with the influx of Chinese tourists, according to the results of the government-commissioned survey released.

Survey on Taiwanese People’s Attitude toward Economic Agreements with China and Cross-strait Exchanges (GVSRC, Nov. 10, 2008) 47.4% think the four agreements signed by SEF and ARATS in early November are beneficial to Taiwan.

Survey on Senior Chinese Envoy Chen Yunlin’s Upcoming Visit to Taiwan and Approval Ratings for the Ma Administration (Global Views, November, 2008) 50.3% of Taiwanese people support the government’s decision to invite Chen Yunlin. Meanwhile, 23.6% of Taiwanese are satisfied with President Ma’s performance.

Majority Support Visit by China’s Top Negotiator
(CNA, Oct. 23, 2008) A majority of people responding to a recent survey are in favor of the planned visit of a high ranking Chinese official to Taiwan, pollsters said.

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.

Record-high Taiwanese Optimistic about China Ties: Poll
(AFP, Jan. 19, 2008) Nearly half of Taiwanese people are optimistic that the island's ties with rival China could improve this year, following the opposition's victory in last week's elections. Some 47 percent were hopeful for better cross-strait ties -- a rise of 14 percent from a similar poll last year and the highest since 2003, according to a survey conducted by TVBS cable news channel.

Provincial Groups from China Resuming Visits
(Taipei Times, Feb. 5, 2012) Chinese provincial purchasing groups are beginning to resume their visits to Taiwan after more than six months’ absence.

KMT Downplays Urgency of China Talks
(CNA, Feb. 3, 2012) Although President Ma Ying-jeou's policies on cross strait relations were key to his re-election, political talks with the mainland are not urgent at the moment, especially as conditions are not right for such discussions, a ranking official of the ruling Kuomintang said in the United States.

Academics Expect Cross-Strait Relations to Deepen
(CNA, Jan. 27, 2012) If Xi Jinping takes over leadership of the CCP later this year, as expected, he is likely to be too busy with other issues to push a change of policy on Taiwan.

Tycoon Prods Taiwan Closer to China By Andrew Higgins
(Washington Post, Jan. 21, 2012) Many Taiwanese tycoons now look to China for most of their profits, and the island’s wealthy cheered the election victory last Saturday of President Ma Ying-jeou against a rival who favors keeping Beijing at arm’s length.

At Least 3 Mainland Cities to be Added to Individual Travel List
(China Post, Jan. 22, 2012) Chinese people from at least three more cities in China are likely to be allowed to visit Taiwan as individuals tourists starting early March, according to Executive Yuan officials.

China Says Taiwan’s Opposition a Threat to Peace
(Reuters, Dec. 28, 2011) China warned Taiwan’s pro-independence DPP that its stance on relations with Beijing could threaten a hard-won state of peaceful coexistence, as the island’s closed watched elections draw near.

Ma Says Better China Ties Best Way to Ease Taiwan Dependence
(Bloomberg, Dec. 28, 2011) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said his rapprochement with China will encourage other nations to strengthen trade with the island and make it less dependent on the mainland, rebutting opposition criticism that he’s left the economy more vulnerable.

FSC Approves 2 Chinese Bank Branches
(CNA, Dec. 23, 2011) The plans submitted by the Bank of China and the Bank of Communications to set up branches in Taipei have been approved, the Financial Supervisory Commission announced.

Ma to Open Doors Wider to Chinese Students
(China Post, Dec. 21, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou agreed to open the doors wider to students from China as suggested by local university presidents. He also promised action to inject more funding to universities and colleges providing technology and vocational training education.

China Dangles More Incentives Ahead of Taiwan Election
(Reuters, Dec. 14, 2011) China dangled the prospect of more trade and economic incentives for Taiwan ahead of elections there next month, but warned the pro-independence opposition closer ties would be at risk if it did not change its stance.

Chinese Netizens Praises Democracy
(Taipei Times, Dec. 12, 2011) A US analyst said that some Chinese Internet users want Taiwan ‘to stay Chinese’ because it offers an example for China’s democratic future.

Microbloggers in Mainland Praise Presidential Debate
(CNA, Dec. 5, 2011) A Chinese netizen said Sunday on his microblog that a rare sense of pride for Chinese people arose after watching Taiwan's televised presidential debate a day earlier.

Meeting in Shanghai Reaches Consensus on Cross-Strait Bank Issues (CNA, Nov. 24, 2011) A Taiwanese delegation led by Chen Yuh-chang, chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission reached consensus with Chinese officials at a meeting in Beijing on several banking issues.

Ma Rules Out Meeting with Chinese Leader If Re-elected
(CNA, Nov. 20, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said he will not meet with the Chinese leader if he is elected for another four-year term next year.

Taiwan-China Peace Accord Unlikely
(VOA, Nov. 17, 2011) The Taiwanese official in charge of the ministry overseeing policy with Beijing says her government lacks the trust in China to pursue a peace accord with its rival of more than 60 years.

Hu, Lien Emphasize Importance of 1992 Consensus to Current Ties
(China Post, Nov. 12, 2011) Chinese President Hu Jintao and former R.O.C. Vice President Lien Chan both stressed that cross-strait ties must continue to be built on the “1992 consensus,” which allows different interpretations of the meaning of “one China.”

Cross-Strait Commission Holds 2nd China Meeting
(CNA, Nov. 2, 2011) A second meeting of the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Commission was held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

Cross-Strait Trade Office Talks under Way: Official
(CNA, Oct. 29, 2011) Taiwan has been in talks with China on establishing reciprocal trade offices and a conclusion is in sight, Taiwan's Vice Economics Minister Huang Chung-chiu said.

Milkfish Orders Would Not Sway Voters, Poll Finds
(Taipei Times, Oct. 29, 2011) A recent survey commissioned by the Chinese-language Business Weekly concluded that China’s “silver bullet” offensive would not change the voting behavior of residents in Syuejia District, Greater Tainan, a traditionally DPP stronghold.

China Welcomes Taiwan President’s Peace Proposal
(Reuters, Oct. 26, 2011) China welcomed a proposal by Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou to consider a peace treaty with its long-time rival.

Cross-Strait Talks Entering Deeper Waters, NSB Says
(Taipei Times, Oct. 25, 2011) Cross-strait negotiations have entered a “deep water” period and from now on Beijing will likely change its policy from allowing Taiwan to “reap the benefits” of engagement to “exchanging interests,” National Security Bureau Director Tsai Der-sheng said.

Ma’s Peace Pact Idea Is a ‘Fake Issue’: James Soong
(Taipei Times, Oct. 22, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou’s proposal of a referendum on a possible cross-strait peace accord is a “fake issue,” People First Party Chairman James Soong said.

Tsai Urges Amendment to Require Referendum Before Bilateral Talks (China Post, Oct. 22, 2011) DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen yesterday called for an amendment requiring a referendum before bilateral political negotiations.

Taiwan’s President Says Any Possible Peace Treaty with China May Need to Go to Public Vote (AP, Oct. 20, 2011) Taiwan’s president said that voters on the island may need to weigh in on any future peace treaty with China, a statement that appears to signal a retreat from an earlier declaration on the treaty idea.

China Warns Taiwan Opposition Trade Deal at Risk
(Reuters, Oct. 20, 2011) Chinese officials in charge of dealing with Taiwan issued a veiled warning to the island's pro-independence opposition that landmark trade deals signed over the last few years were at risk if they did not change their stance.

Ma Peace Pact ‘Dangerous’ Step to Reunification: DPP
(China Post, Oct. 19, 2011) DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen blasted incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou's idea of signing a peace agreement with China within the next decade, calling the proposal a “dangerous” endeavor, both undemocratic and divisive.

Ma Rejects DPP Criticism of Potential Cross-Strait Accord
(CNA, Oct. 19, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said that cross-strait peace is an issue that must be faced and that the signing of a cross-strait peace accord would not represent negotiating unification with the mainland.

Taiwan President Considers Peace Treaty with China in 10 Years
(Reuters, Oct. 17, 2011) Taiwan may consider a peace treaty with political rival China in 10 years, but only if the Taiwanese people agree and there is sufficient trust between the two sides, President Ma Ying-jeou said.

Taipei, Beijing Mull Jailed Spy Swap
(AFP, Oct. 14, 2011) Taiwan has been negotiating with China to swap imprisoned spies, the defense minister said.

Taiwan, China Agree to Sign Nuclear Agreement
(Taipei Times, Oct. 13, 2011) An agreement on Taiwanese businesspeople’s safety in China will not be inked this year, but nuclear safety is scheduled to be addressed.

Taiwan, China to Discuss Tourist Program Expansion
(CNA, Oct. 13, 2011) Taiwan and China will soon discuss the expansion of a program that allows Chinese citizens to visit Taiwan without tour group membership, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said.

Strong Cross-Strait Ties Benefit All: Rumsfeld
(China Post, Oct. 12, 2011) The increasingly stable and secure relationship between Taiwan and China is beneficial to the both sides as well as to the United States, said visiting former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Officials Say Key Differences Hold Back China Pact
(CNA, Oct. 10, 2011) Taiwan and China tried again to hammer out an investment protection pact at a working-level meeting in Taipei, but people familiar with the negotiations have expressed doubt that an agreement would be reached because of major differences on key points.

China’s President Urges Unification with Rival Taiwan; Jiang Makes Rare Appearance (AP, Oct. 9, 2011) China’s president used the centennial of a revolution that ended imperial rule to make an appeal to further relations with Taiwan, saying they should move beyond the history that divides them and focus on common economic and cultural interests.

January Poll Winner Will Face Hurdles in China Talks: Su Chi
(Taipei Times, Oct. 8, 2011) Because of domestic differences in Taiwan, the winner of next year’s presidential election will face more hurdles in talks with China because of a diminished political mandate, former National Security Council secretary-general Su Chi said.

Poll Shows Support for ‘1992 Consensus’: MAC
(CNA, Sep. 26, 2011) Almost half of the respondents in a recent poll said they approved of the “1992 Consensus” as the foundation for institutionalized negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, a Mainland Affairs Council poll said.

Taiwan VP: President Wants China Political Talks
(AP, Sep. 25, 2011) Taiwan's president will open political talks with China if he is re-elected to a second term, a U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks cites Taiwan's vice president as saying.

Presidential Office Denies King’s Remarks on Cross-Strait Meeting
(China Post, Sep. 14, 2011) The National Security Council had never made any announcements regarding preparation toward signing a peace agreement with China, and the president has no plans to meet with the mainland Chinese leader, a presidential office spokesman announced.

Cross-Strait Peace Deal Plausible: Ma Aide
(China Post, Sep. 13, 2011) “Both sides of the Taiwan Strait will not rule out the possibility of signing a peace agreement in the future as long as it is conducive to Taiwan and doesn't undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of China and the dignity of Taiwan,” President Ma Ying-jeou's top campaign officer King Pu-tsung said.

HK Helping Beijing’s Agenda: Cables
(Taipei Times, Sep. 13, 2011) According to a cable, Clinton asked for more information on changes in Hong Kong-Taiwan relations, especially about “what specific political agendas, if any, are driving this shift in Hong Kong’s policy” and “Beijing’s role, if any, behind these developing ties.”

China’s Hu Jintao ‘Patient, ‘Pragmatic’ on Taiwan, Lee Kuan Yew Says in Cable (Taipei Times, Sep. 11, 2011) Lee Kuan Yew said Chinese President Hu Jintao appeared “patient” in moving toward the goal of bringing Taiwan into the Chinese fold, an approach that was deemed a success by Chinese academics, leaked US cables showed.

WikiLeaks: China Does Not Support ‘Mutual Non-denial’: Cable
(Taipei Times, Sep. 11, 2011) The “mutual non-denial” concept advocated by President Ma Ying-jeou was not supported by Chinese officials and academics who were simply “not denying that for now,” several US cables released by WikiLeaks showed.

WikiLeaks: China, Ma Use Same Phrasing
(Taipei Times, Sep. 10, 2011) A leaked US diplomatic cable shows that Chinese academics praised President Ma Ying-jeou’s use of zhonghua minzu to describe the “Chinese nation,” adding that Beijing had also adopted the formulation instead of “one China.”

Lien’s APEC Appointment Approved by China: Cable
(Taipei Times, Sep. 8, 2011) The cable quoted remarks made by Peking University’s Jia Qingguo to embassy officials that Lien’s participation at APEC was a “big deal.”

MAC Official Cites China Military Actions As Barrier
(CNA, Aug. 29, 2011) Taiwan's top-ranking China policy official said in the United States that China's military deployment against the island constituted a barrier in the relationship between the two sides.

PLA Pushing for Political Talks: Cable
(Taipei Times, Aug. 25, 2011) “Although economics were his [Ma’s] priority in cross-Strait discussions, PRC military activities might require him to engage the PRC on political topics as well,” said a cable issued by the AIT dated Dec. 16, 2009.

Chinese Tourists Bring NT$200 Billion: Official
(CNA, Aug. 6, 2011) Tourists from mainland China have created more than NT$200 billion (US$6.94 billion) in foreign exchange reserves for Taiwan over the past three years, the Tourism Bureau said.

Ma Hopes for Consensus in China Talks
(CNA, Jul. 30, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou expressed the hope that there would be major progress in cross-Taiwan Strait negotiations to pave the way for deals on investment protection, dispute settlement and nuclear safety between Taiwan and China.

1992 Consensus Needed: Beijing Official
(China Post, Jul. 29, 2011) If the “1992 Consensus” on the “one-China” principle is overturned after the 2012 elections in Taiwan, then mainland China will neither accept the undesirable development nor continue the implementation of existing cross-strait agreements, a top mainland Chinese official was cited as saying in a meeting held in Washington.

14 Taiwanese Fraud Suspects Repatriated from China
(China Post, Jul. 7, 2011) After months of cross-strait dialogue, the 14 Taiwanese suspects who were controversially deported from the Philippines to China in a fraud case last year were repatriated to Taiwan.

Taiwan Offices Upgraded in HK and Macau
(China Post, Jul. 5, 2011) In a major breakthrough after 45 years, Taiwan's representative offices in Hong Kong and Macau will be renamed to reflect their upgraded status and functions, chairwoman Lai Hsing-yuan of MAC said.

Taiwan Greets First Independent Tourists from China
(BBC, Jun. 28, 2011) Some 300 independent tourists have arrived in Taiwan from China - the first time in decades mainland tourists have been allowed to roam on their own.

Ex-AIT Chair Warns on Political System
(Taipei Times, Jun. 26, 2011) Former AIT chairman Richard Bush expressed concern about whether Taiwan’s democratic system, which he said is “polarized” and “divided,” could withstand Beijing’s efforts to bring about unification.

Ma Defends China Policy to BBC
(Taipei Times, Jun. 16, 2011) Ma said China poses a great threat to Taiwan, but he said as the two increase ties, any unilateral attempts to alter the current situation would come at a heavy cost. Taiwan’s President ‘China Is a risk and an Individual Tourists Trial to Start June 28
(China Post, Jun. 13, 2011) The travel industry and local officials welcomed the earliest possible beefing-up of cross-strait tourism after the announcement by China that a trial program for individual Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan beginning on June 28.

Hu Jintao Eager for Taiwan Legacy
(Taipei Times, Jun. 12, 2011) The cable, issued by the US embassy in Beijing on Feb. 27, 2009, showed that the US has learned from at least two sources that Hu believes that his Taiwan policy, and not China’s Scientific Development Concept, should be his primary political legacy.

Opportunity’Hu Jintao Eager for Taiwan Legacy
(Taipei Times, Jun. 12, 2011) The cable, issued by the US embassy in Beijing on Feb. 27, 2009, showed that the US has learned from at least two sources that Hu believes that his Taiwan policy, and not China’s Scientific Development Concept, should be his primary political legacy.

SEF and ARATS Review Previous Talks in Taipei
(Taipei Times, Jun. 9, 2011) Delegates from the SEF and the ARATS met in Taipei to examine 15 cross-strait agreements and attempt to forge a consensus on disagreements before the seventh round of cross-strait talks next year.

Taiwan President Tells China Democracy “No Disaster”
(Reuters, Jun. 4, 2011) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou told China that the transition from authoritarianism to democracy can only bring stability, urging Beijing on the 22nd anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown to release dissidents. President’s Statement on 22nd Anniversary of Tiananmen Incident

Ma Advocates Cross-Strait Mutual Non-denial
(CNA, May 31, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should not deny or repudiate each other's existence, in order to facilitate cross-strait engagement and promote regional peace.

Individual China Visitors to Arrive in June
(China Post, Jun. 2, 2011) Mainland Chinese tourists will be allowed to visit Taiwan as individual travelers by the end of June, according to informed sources.

China Ties Provide Lines of Defense: Ma
(CNA, Jun. 2, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou identified what he described as “three lines of defense” for Taiwan: institutionalized relations with mainland China, Taiwan’s soft power, and international support for the country.

Tsai Calls for More Measures to Support Democracy in China
(Taipei Times, Jun. 2, 2011) Taiwan must remain committed to China’s democratic movement and take more substantial measures as cross-strait ties deepen, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said.

Most Taiwanese Interested in Working in China: Poll
(China Post, May 27, 2011) 76.81 percent of respondents have either gone to China and returned, are currently working in China, or have a willingness to work in China.

China Plans to Return 14 Taiwanese Fraud Suspects Soon: Official
(China Post, May 27, 2011) The mainland China Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu said that Taiwanese suspects in an international telephone fraud case will be repatriated to Taiwan.

Chinese Spies Disguise Themselves As Tourists, Scholars: NSB
(China Post, May 27, 2011) Taiwan's top intelligence agency confirmed that it has frequently spotted Chinese intelligence agents attempting to enter the country under the guise of visiting tourists or scholars to collect information.

Taiwan Set to Allow Solo Chinese Tourists in June
(AFP, May 18, 2011) Taiwan is expected to lift its decades-old ban on visits by individual Chinese tourists in June in a highly-anticipated boost to its tourism sector, a top official said.

NSC Sets Up Data Bank for Tracking of Chinese Funds
(CNA, May 15, 2011) The National Security Council said that it has set up a data bank to collect information on Chinese investors, funds and funded enterprises for the reference of the government to strengthen security management of mainland Chinese funds and personnel entering Taiwan.

Beijing Reiterates Importance of ‘1992 Consensus’
(China Post, May 8, 2011) Beijing reiterated that ties with Taipei must be founded on an anti-Taiwan independence stance and a one-China consensus, as a forum kicked off in a western Chinese city to accelerate cross-strait economic exchanges.

Using ‘Macau Formula’ in Cross-Strait Talks Is Unacceptable: Premier (CNA, May 7, 2011) Premier Wu Den-yih said that he supported the “1992 consensus” as the basis for cross-strait talks, and could not accept a formula broached by an official under the previous DPP administration.

DPP Downplay Joseph Wu Remarks
(Taipei Times, May 6, 2011) A spokesperson for the Democratic Progressive Party downplayed remarks by a former DPP government official who suggested that a DPP administration would introduce major changes in relations with Beijing.

DPP Would Grant China Less ‘Weight’: Joseph Wu
(Taipei Times, May 5, 2011) If the DPP regained power in next year’s presidential election, China would be given much less “weight” than it is given by the KMT administration, former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Joseph Wu told a Washington audience.

Deeper China Ties Spark Autonomy Concerns, Poll Shows
(Taipei Times, Apr. 27, 2011) Sixty-two percent of respondents are concerned about a crisis of political autonomy and increased difficulty maintaining the “status quo” because of deeper economic exchanges with China, according to a recent public opinion survey published by the Academia Sinica Institute of Sociology.

China to Allow Taiwanese Law Firms More Access to Mainland
(China Post, Apr. 25, 2011) China plans to accelerate its plan for the reciprocal opening of legal practices on both sides of the Taiwan Strait under the economic cooperation framework agreement signed between China and Taiwan.

Taiwan, China Banking Watchdogs Set for Talks
(China Post, Apr. 25, 2011) Taiwan's financial institutions expressed hope of gaining more preferential treatment in the vast Chinese market, including offering renminbi currency services at an earlier date and faster expansion to inner regions in China.

Taiwan Universities Accept Chinese Mainland Students
(BBC, Apr. 14, 2011) Taiwan has begun accepting applications from Chinese student to study here.

Chien Talks with China’s President at Boao Forum
(CNA, Apr. 16, 2011) Frederick F. Chien, head of Taiwan's delegation to the 2011 Boao Forum for Asia, exchanged greetings and chatted briefly with Chinese President Hu Jintao ahead of the annual event's opening.

President Ma Expects to See Self-Guided Chinese Tourists by Middle of the Year (China Post, Apr. 13, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said he expects the arrival of individual Chinese tourists for self-guided tours in Taiwan by the middle of the year.

Cross-Strait Obstacles Still Remain: Ma
(Taipei Times, Apr. 12, 2011) There is a glimpse of hope for peace between Taipei and Beijing in the Taiwan Strait, but many obstacles need to be overcome, including cultural differences and China’s military buildup, President Ma Ying-jeou said.

MOEA Hopes to Seal Key Deals in 7th Cross-Strait Talks
(China Post, Apr. 11, 2011) Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang expressed hope that two vital cross-strait agreements, one on investment protection and one on trade dispute settlement, could be signed during the seventh meeting of top negotiators from both sides.

KMT-CCP Annual Forum to Be Held in Chengdu, China
(CNA, Mar. 31, 2011) The seventh annual forum between the Chinese Nationalist Party and the Chinese Communist Party will be held in early May in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, KMT officials said.

China Looking at Currency Settlement Scheme with Taiwan
(Reuters, Mar. 30, 2011) China is actively looking at setting up a cross-Strait currency settlement scheme with Taiwan, a Chinese official said.

ECFA Benefiting Wealthy: Report
(Taipei Times, Mar. 27, 2011) People who possess large amounts of capital appeared to reap benefits from the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), while those on the lower end of the economic scale absorbed the costs, a recently released report suggested.

President Calls for Cross-Strait Cooperation on Nuke Safety
(CNA, Mar. 24, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou called for cross-Taiwan Strait cooperation on nuclear power safety in order to prevent an incident that could pose a threat to the entire region.

Ma Reaffirms ‘Modus Vivendi’ Diplomatic Approach
(CNA, Mar. 15, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou reaffirmed his diplomatic “modus vivendi” policy in a meeting with his Paraguayan counterpart Fernando Lugo, who is on a state visit to Taiwan.

MAC Head Reiterates the Country’s China Policy
(China Post, Mar. 11, 2011) MAC chairwoman reiterated the country's long-running guideline toward Beijing, which is both sides do not deny each other's right to govern, even if they don't recognize the respective governments.

DPP’s New Think Tank Willing to Have Dialogue with China
(CNA, Mar. 9, 2011) The Democratic Progressive Party said its newly formed think tank had an “open-minded” attitude toward invitations for dialogue from Chinese institutes or organizations.

New Sectors Open to Chinese Investors
(China Post, Mar. 3, 2011) The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced the second wave of 42 business categories to be opened to mainland Chinese investors, including the sensitive semiconductor and flat panel industries.

China Takes Serious Steps toward Investing in Taiwan: Scholars
(CNA, Mar. 1, 2011) The fourth visit of China's chief negotiator on Taiwan affairs shows that China is making a “critical move” to step up economic cooperation with and increase investments in Taiwan, said Taiwanese scholars.

Cross-Strait CBMs Not in Works: Presidential Office
(CNA, Feb. 28, 2011) The Presidential Office rejected speculations by the media that President Ma Ying-jeou will immediately push for cross-strait confidence building measures (CBMs) if he is reelected next year.

Chen Discusses Yunlin Agricultural Purchases
(Taipei Times, Feb. 27, 2011) Yunlin will top China’s list when it comes to purchasing agricultural products from Taiwan, Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) Chairman Chen Yunlin said.

China’s Top Negotiator Tours Kaohsiung Harbor Amid Protests
(CNA, Feb. 25, 2011) Chen Yunlin, China's top negotiator with Taiwan, took a harbor cruise in the southern Taiwan port city of Kaohsiung.

ECC Committee Begins First Trade Meeting
(CNA, Feb. 23, 2011) The first meeting of the cross-Taiwan Strait Economic Cooperation Committee (ECC), the group that will steer the future course of a landmark Taiwan-China trade pact, opened in northern Taiwan's Taoyuan County.

Ma Wants People to Call China ‘the Mainland’: Legislator
(CNA, Feb. 8, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou wants to change the common practice in Taiwan of calling the other side of the Taiwan Strait China in favor of the term “the mainland,” a ruling Kuomintang (KMT) legislator said.

Majority Support Mechanism for China Talks: Poll
(Taipei Times, Jan. 9, 2011) The survey found that 72 percent of respondents said they supported Taipei and Beijing tackling cross-strait problems via institutionalized negotiations, compared with 15.1 percent of respondents that opposed the mechanism.

Elections Could Affect Talks: SEF
(Taipei Times, Jan. 18, 2011) Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung said the year-end legislative election and next year’s presidential elections were likely to affect cross-strait negotiations.

China Urges Taiwan to Release Fishermen: Report
(AFP, Jan. 15, 2011) China has called for the release of four fishermen detained by a Taiwanese patrol vessel, state media said, in a rare dispute between the two sides amid warming ties.

Taiwan’s Exports to China Rise Sharply in 2010: TAITRA
(CNA, Jan. 11, 2011) China's share of Taiwan's exports was 41.8 percent, a record high and 0.7 percentage points higher than in 2009. Between 2005 and 2008, China was the target of between 39 percent and 40.7 percent of the country's exports.

Cross-Strait Trade Committee Launched
(China Post, Jan. 7, 2011) A long-awaited committee to serve as a window for handling trade negotiations between Taiwan and China was formally launched.

China Tourists Make Up Majority of Travelers to Taiwan
(China Post, Jan. 4, 2010) Mainland Chinese visitors have become the bread and butter of Taiwan's tourism industry, increasing by 71 percent in 2010 from the previous year.

Taiwanese to Decide Own Future: Ma
(Taipei Times, Jan. 2, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said in his New Year’s address that Taiwan’s future should be decided by its 23 million people and that both sides of the Taiwan Strait must not fight over political power, but work together for core values.

Ma Is Confused about Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen Says
(Taipei Times, Jan. 2, 2011) In a New Year’s Day statement, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said she found it incomprehensible that President Ma Ying-jeou seems confused as to the definition of the country he governs.

Ma’s Office Queries Tsai on ‘1992’
(Taipei Times, Dec. 30, 2010) The Presidential Office challenged DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen to explain how she intends to negotiate with China if she continues to deny the existence of the so-called “1992 consensus.”

China to Open Six New Service Sectors to Taiwan
(China Post, Dec. 30, 2010) Starting Jan.1, six more mainland service industries, namely design, medical, aircraft maintenance, banking, securities and insurance, will open to Taiwanese companies, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Ma Calls DPP ‘Impractical’ for Attitude on Consensus
(Taipei Times, Dec. 29, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou accused the Democratic Progressive Party of being “impractical” for denying the existence of the so-called “1992 consensus,” saying the term was key to cross-strait negotiations.

China Engagement to Boost Taiwan’s Economy in 2011
(AP, Dec. 28, 2010) Taiwan's economy is projected to grow a strong 4.5 percent in 2011 as its improving relations with China will likely continue to bring major economic benefits to the island, Taiwan's top economic planner said.

MAC Urges Name Change for HK Office
(Taipei Times, Dec. 28, 2010) The Mainland Affairs Council urged Hong Kong authorities to rectify the name of Taiwan’s representative office in the territory, saying doing so would be an indicator of improved bilateral ties.

DPP Denies Existence of ‘1992 Consensus’
(Taipei Times, Dec. 25, 2010) In response to a comment by President Ma, the DPP said the alleged ‘1992 consensus’ was an agreement on ‘one China,’ which it has never agreed to.

Next China Leader Likely to Continue Cross-Strait Ties
(CNA, Dec. 24, 2010) The next leader of China is likely to continue with a peaceful approach to China-Taiwan affairs, Taiwan's top cross strait negotiator said.

Minister Sets Missile Talk Conditions
(Taipei Times, Dec. 23, 2010) Mainland Affairs Council Minister Lai Shin-yuan set two preconditions for cross-strait discussions on the removal of Chinese missiles targeting Taiwan, but emphasized the time is not ripe for such talks.

Public Confidence in KMT China Policy Growing: Poll
(Taipei Times, Dec. 21, 2010) A survey by the Global Views Survey Research Center found that 49.8 percent of respondents believed the KMT could ensure the development of peaceful relations between Taiwan and China without compromising the national interest.

Chinese Dissident Urges DPP to Be Open to China
(CNA, Dec. 20, 2010) Wang Dan urged Taiwan's leading opposition party Sunday to pay more attention to the views of academics in the formulation of its China policy and to have greater engagement with China's civic society.

Cross-Strait Arbitration Will Depend on China’s Legal System, Expert Says (Taipei Times, Dec. 19, 2010) Whether China is able to establish a fair and well-functioning legal system is an important factor influencing the development of cross-strait relations in the future, Jerome Cohen, a leading US expert on the Chinese legal system, said.

Gov’t Ready to Negotiate Cultural Pact with China
(CNA, Dec. 19, 2010) Taiwan is prepared to discuss a cultural agreement with China and hopes that the issue can be put on the agenda for cross-Taiwan Strait negotiations next year, a Taiwanese official said.

Cross-Strait Talks Reach Tenuous Stage: SEF
(Taipei Times, Dec. 18, 2010) SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kun acknowledged that cross-strait talks have entered a challenging stage because of the increasingly complicated issues to be addressed.

Paal Urges Talks on Taiwanese Jobs in UN
(Taipei Times, Dec. 10, 2010) Taiwan should negotiate with China to lift a ban on the employment of ROC nationals at UN-affiliated agencies since relations between the two sides have improved recently, Douglas Paal said.

Soft Power Behind Cross-Strait Peace: Nye
(Taipei Times, Dec. 9, 2010) Nye said that Taiwan must have sufficient hard military power, but that the soft power of its democracy guarantees the US will protect it.

Democracy Tops Interests: MAC Head
(CNA, Dec. 7, 2010) Democracy, sovereignty, security and the right of free choice on the future of cross-Taiwan Strait relations rank among Taiwan's seven core interests in engaging with China, MAC Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan said.

Su Chi Urges DPP to Talk with KMT
(Taipei Times, Dec. 7, 2010) Former National Security Council secretary-general Su Chi urged the DPP to take the initiative and work with the KMT to come up with what he called a “Taiwan consensus” before Taipei and Beijing can enter negotiations on thorny issues such as Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Chinese Academic Says DPP Sending Positive Signs
(Taipei Times, Dec. 6, 2010) The Democratic Progressive Party must take a calm approach and engage in constructive talks with the Chinese Communist Party, a Chinese academic said.

Taiwan-China Medical Cooperation Deal Planned
(Taipei Times, Dec. 2, 2010) An agreement on cross-strait medical cooperation that is expected to be signed in the next round of negotiations between Taiwan and China will serve to better safeguard the health and safety of Taiwanese, the Department of Health said.

Beijing Allows for ‘Very Broad’ ‘One China’ Policy: Wikileaks
(China Post, Dec. 1, 2010) In the cable wired on April 30, 2009 from the U.S. embassy in Beijing, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said that “Taiwan's participation as an observer at the upcoming May World Health Assembly meetings demonstrated what could be achieved based on 'one China, very broadly interpreted.'”

Taiwan’s Opposition Party Proposes Dialogue with China
(AP, Dec. 1, 2010) Taiwan's main opposition leader said yesterday she will establish a think tank to help create “a peaceful and stable framework for interacting with China.”

Lien Rejects Criticism of Hu Meeting
(Taipei Times, Nov. 17, 2010) Former vice president Lien Chan dismissed criticism that Taiwan would be denigrating itself if it “communicated” with China on its wish to participate in international events or organizations.

Ma Warns against Chinese Snubs
(AFP, Nov. 16, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou warned China not to “humiliate” Taiwan in international forums and risk “wiping out” the mutual trust and goodwill that has built up during the past two years.

Cross-Strait Détente Looks ‘Pretty Amazing’: Clinton
(CNA, Nov. 16, 2010) Former United States President Bill Clinton applauded the recent cross-Taiwan Strait rapprochement and encouraged Taiwan to “keep the show on the road” to serve as a model of peaceful coexistence for the rest of the world.

Lien Did Not Raise Missile Issue with Hu
(CNA, Nov. 15, 2010) Taiwan's presidential envoy to the 2010 APEC forum leadership summit said that he did not raise the issue of China's missile deployment targeting Taiwan during his brief meeting with China's president on the sidelines of the summit.

Taiwan Envoy, Chinese Leader Meet on APEC Summit Sidelines
(CNA, Nov. 13, 2010) Lien Chan met Chinese President Hu Jintao, with the two hailing a landmark cross-Taiwan Strait trade deal and exchanging views on issues of mutual concern.

Taiwan Arrests Double Agent
(AFP, Nov. 2, 2010) A Taiwanese military intelligence agent has been arrested for working as a double agent for China, the defence ministry and media said.

Taiwan Exports to China Record High in First Three Quarters
(DPA, Oct. 29, 2010) Taiwan’s exports to China rose to a historic high in the first three quarters of this year to 85.38 billion dollars, the Economics Ministry said.

Beijing Blames Communications Breakdown for Row Over Name in Japan (CNA, Oct. 27, 2010) China's Taiwan Affairs Office blamed a "lack of communication" for the row over the name of Taiwan's delegation on the opening night of the name of Taiwan’s delegation on the opening night of the Tokyo International Film Festival.

China Low Key amid Taiwan Anger Over Film Fest
(CNA, Oct. 26, 2010) A Chinese official in charge of Taiwan affairs was non-committal when asked about a row over Taiwan's name at the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival.

NPA Chief Begins Eight-day China Visit
(Taipei Times, Oct. 27, 2010) National Police Agency Director-General Wang Cho-chiun flew to Beijing, making him the highest-ranking Taiwanese police officer ever to visit China.

Time Is Not Ripe for Meeting between Ma, Hu: Premier
(CNA, Oct. 21, 2010) Premier Wu Den-yih reiterated that the time was not ripe for a meeting between the leaders of Taiwan and China, despite their warming ties.

China Says in No Rush to Talk Politics with Taiwan
(Reuters, Oct. 20, 2010) Wang Yi, head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, told overseas Chinese in New York that promoting economic ties with Taiwan was still the priority, state news agency Xinhua said.

Taiwan Won’t Negotiate Int’l Space with China: Official
(CNA, Oct. 15, 2010) Taiwan's quest for international space and President Ma Ying-jeou's call for “mutual non-denial” will not be on the agenda of any cross-Taiwan Strait negotiations, a senior official responsible for China policy said.

President Urges Beijing to Release Nobel-Winning Dissident
(CNA, Oct. 9, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou urged Chinese authorities to release jailed human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, who was awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.

China Questions DPP’s Position on Cross-Strait Affairs
(China Post, Sep. 30, 2010) Mainland China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Fan Liqing questioned the statement by opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen that her party will continue the current cross-strait policy if it returns to power.

Local Students Worried about Job Prospects
(CNA, Sep. 28, 2010) Nearly 60 percent of the Taiwanese university students who responded to a recent survey said they are worried that Chinese students with Taiwanese degrees could be their competitors for overseas jobs.

DPP Would Maintain PRC Policy: Tsai
(Taipei Times, Sep. 25, 2010) The Democratic Progressive Party would adopt a more conciliatory stance in cross-strait relations that would seek to find more of a middle ground with China if it were to regain power in 2012, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said.

China State-Owned Firms Delegation to Visit Taiwan
(CNA, Sep. 25, 2010) A 30-member delegation from China's state-owned companies and large enterprises that plans to arrive in Taiwan Sept. 25 is expected to bring more Chinese investment, an official of Taiwan's quasi-official trade promotion council said.

Taiwan, China Hold Biggest Ever Search, Rescue Drill
(AFP, Sep. 17, 2010) Taiwan and China yesterday staged their biggest ever joint maritime search and rescue drill, near waters where the two sides fought fierce battles half a century ago, officials said.

Stronger Mutual Trust Needed between Taiwan, China: Lai
(CNA, Sep. 16, 2010) Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan said at the European Parliament that Taiwan and China must enhance mutual trust before initiating political and military negotiations.

Cross-Strait Comm Cables Could Soon Be a Reality
(CNA, Sep. 14, 2010) The government said that Taiwan's telecommunication companies will be allowed to join with Chinese companies in installing cables under the Taiwan Strait, a move expected to lower the cost of communicating between the two sides.

Taiwan, China Launch Joint Drill
(Taipei Times, Sep. 12, 2010) Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration will conduct a joint maritime rescue drill this week with its Chinese counterpart, the first time the coastal patrol agencies on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are to hold joint marine exercises.

First Chinese Firm to List in Taiwan Soa
(AFP, Sep. 8, 2010) Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings) Ltd, began trading on the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Wednesday, making it the first Chinese-controlled firm to raise capital on the island, officials said.

Culture Next on Taiwan-China Agenda
(CNA, Sep. 7, 2010) Officials from Taiwan and China have recognized culture as the next area for the two sides to focus on, now that a historic trade agreement has been signed earlier this year, officials said.

China Seeks Agreement with Taiwan
(AFP, Sep. 6, 2010) China's visiting culture minister says the mainland is seeking a culture agreement with Taiwan, in a fresh sign of the warming ties between the two former rivals.

China’s Culture Minister Visits Taiwan
(China Post, Sep. 3, 2010) China's Minister of Culture, Cai Wu, arrived at Taipei for a one-week visit to promote cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, making him the highest-ranking mainland Chinese official to visit the island in 12 years, officials said.

Not Testing Beijing, Policies Same: Ma
(CNA, Sep. 2, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou said that the government's policies toward China remain unchanged and denied that he asked Taiwan's top China policy planner to “test” China by challenging its “anti-secession” law, according to an interview published.

Taiwan, Hong Kong Bodies Hold First Meeting
(CNA, Aug. 31, 2010) Taiwan's semi-official organization founded in May to promote economic and cultural exchanges with Hong Kong held the first joint meeting with its Hong Kong counterpart, and the two decided to hold a similar meeting at least once a year.

US Concerned about Taiwan Ex-generals’ China Visits: Report
(AFP, Aug. 30, 2010) Closer contacts between retired Taiwanese generals and the Chinese authorities have sparked concerns in Washington, the island's major arms supplier, media and an official said.

Restrictions on Chinese Investment to Be Eased
(CNA, Aug. 30, 2010) Restrictions on Chinese businesses investing in Taiwan will be eased gradually, a visiting Taiwanese official said.

Chinese Official Meets with Farmers in Southern Taiwan
(CNA, Aug. 25, 2010) China's second-highest-ranking envoy to Taiwan met farmers in southern Taiwan's Tainan County to promote the direct sale of locally grown agricultural products to China.

Survey Indicates Majority Support for PRC Students
(Taipei Times, Aug. 15, 2010) While most Taiwanese favored allowing Chinese students to study in Taiwan, legal measures must be in place to manage their stay and protect the interests of local students, a poll released yesterday by the Taiwan Thinktank showed.

Taiwan, China Agrees on Economic Commission
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2010) Taiwan and China have agreed that an economic cooperation commission to be established under a recently signed trade pact will be headed by vice ministerial-level officials from each side, government sources said.

Taipei, Beijing Show Willingness to Discuss ‘92 Consensus’
(China Post, Aug. 13, 2010) A little more than one month after Taipei and Beijing signed a landmark economic pact, officials from both sides were showing willingness to tackle what is arguably the most sensitive political issue in cross-strait negotiations.

‘1992 Consensus’ Is Basis of Trust: Li
(CNA, Aug. 12, 2010) There was speculation that Li mentioned the “1992 consensus” in response to recent discussions about China's military deployments targeting Taiwan.

Anti-Secession Law Is Impeding Cross-Strait Ties: MAC
(CNA, Aug. 6, 2010) The Mainland Affairs Council called on China to review its Anti-Secession Law targeting Taiwan, which the council described as “something unnecessary” in cross-Taiwan Strait relations.

Ma Wants Unconditional Missile Removal
(China Post, Aug. 3, 2010) Beijing should begin to remove its missiles pointed at Taiwan without preconditions because such a move will mark an important step towards improving relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, said the Presidential Office.

Beijing Adopting Two-pronged Policy toward Taiwan: MAC
(CNA, Jul. 26, 2010) Mainland Affairs Council said that China is still applying a two-pronged policy toward Taiwan by claiming to expand cross-strait exchanges while trying to isolate Taiwan internationally.

Ma Asks Wu to Carry Message to China Leader
(CNA, Jul. 12, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou confirmed that he has asked Wu Poh-hsiung to pass a message to his Chinese counterpart conveying his hope for continued progress in bilateral ties after the signing of a landmark trade pact.

Sixth KMT-CPC Forum Opens in China
(CNA, Jul. 11, 2010) The implementation of a recently signed economic cooperation framework agreement between Taiwan and China was the center of discussion on the opening day of a forum between Taiwan's KMT and China's CPC in Guangzhou.

China and Taiwan to Hold Oil Spill Contingency Talks
(AFP, Jun. 21, 2010) The talks in Taipei, the third of their kind, could pave the way for exercises mobilising personnel and equipment from the two sides, an environmental official said.

China No. 2 Market for Taiwanese Farm Goods
(China Post, Jun. 19, 2010) China has emerged as the second largest export market for Taiwan's agricultural products following successive procurements by Chinese trade missions that visited Taiwan in the past few months.

MAC Chairperson Expresses Wish to Visit China
(CNA, Jun. 4, 2010) Senior MAC officials confirmed that Lai made the Hong Kong visit in her official capacity as MAC chief. Lai is the first minister-level Taiwanese official to visit Hong Kong, they said.

Ma Calls for ‘At Least 200’ More Flights to China
(AFP, May 31, 2010) Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou said that “at least 200” more flights were needed each week between the island and the Chinese mainland to meet the growing demand from tourists.

Gov’t Denies China ‘Track Two’ Link
(CNA, May 29, 2010) The former top national security adviser to President Ma Ying-jeou denied media reports that a communication platform with Beijing separate from the main existing channel will be established under his leadership.

28 Weekly Songshan-Hongqiao Passenger Flights to Begin Soon
(CNA, May 22, 2010) Including the soon-to-be opened Songshan-Hongqiao flights, the total number of direct passenger flights between Taiwan and China will be increased to 370 per week from the current 270.

Taiwan’s Minister Meets with Chinese Counterpart at WHA
(CNA, May 18, 2010) Taiwan's top health official and his counterpart from China met on the sidelines of the opening of the World Health Assembly in Geneva to discuss possibilities for future cooperation.

Ex-NSC Chief Confirms Secret China Channels
(AFP, May 17, 2010) Taiwan's former security chief has confirmed for the first time that Taipei and Beijing used secret communications channels from 2008 as they worked to thaw glacial ties, it was reported.

Tsai Ing-wen Pledges to Pursue Pragmatic China Policy
(CNA, May 15, 2010) DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen advocated what she called a "pragmatic China policy" based on the principles of independent sovereignty for Taiwan and peaceful engagement with China.

No Political Precondition If DPP Meets China: Tsai
(China Post, May 15, 2010) Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen recently reiterated the party's position that it will not rule out holding talks with China, as long as no political preconditions are set.

China Shows Immense Buying Power in Taiwan
(AP, May 12, 2010) Orders worth some US$2 billion for high-tech products and farm produce. Offers of tax incentives for investment. A promise to send 120,000 tourists to Taiwan every year. Those were some of the deals signed off by a 2,000-strong delegation from China's Fujian Province.

DPP Denies Opening Talks with China
(Taipei Times, May 12, 2010) While Reuters quoted the DPP chief as saying the party had organized a group to open talks with China, the DPP said Tsai Ing-wen had not addressed that issue.

Cross-Strait Bill Passes 1st Review
(China Post, May 11, 2010) Lawmakers from both parties clashed again on the hot button topic concerning the opening of Taiwan's schools and examination to residents from mainland China.

China Opens First Office in Taipei
(CNA, May 8, 2010) China's top travel administrator presided over the opening in Taipei of mainland's tourism office, the first agency of any kind established by China in Taiwan.

Taiwan Opens Tourist Office in Beijing
(Wall Street Journal, May 5, 2010) Taiwan has opened a tourism office in Beijing, the island's first official presence in China's capital since the two sides split amid civil war in 1949.

Record High Percentage of Taiwan’s Exports Sent to China in April
(CNA, May 7, 2010) Over 44 percent of Taiwan's exports in April went to China, the highest ratio in history for the same month, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said.

Ranking China Leader to Stay in South for First Time in Two Years
(AFP, May 6, 2010) A business delegation led by Fujian provincial Governor Huang Xiaqing arrived in Taiwan for a 6-day trip in which Huang will visit major cities including the southern cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung often seen as “off limits” by Chinese officials.

Talks Must Be Based on ‘One China’: Xu
(China Post, May 4, 2010) Any dialogue between China and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) must be based on the “One China” principle, a professor with Beijing Union University said.

DPP Leadership Signals Willingness to Talk to Beijing
(Taipei Times, May 3, 2010) Speaking on the party’s future China policy, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said that, stripped of political preconditions, the DPP “does not discount the idea of entering into direct and realistic dialogue with China.”

Lawmakers Clash Over PRC Students
(Taipei Times, Apr. 22, 2010) A legislative committee meeting descended into a fight KMT and DPP lawmakers clashed over two proposed bills that would recognize Chinese diplomas and allow Chinese students to study in Taiwan.

Chinese May Top Japanese for First Time As Top Taiwan Visitors
(Bloomberg, Apr. 20, 2010) Chinese visitors to Taiwan may surpass Japanese for the first time on record as relaxed rules spur travel to an island off limits to mainlanders for 60 years.

China, Taiwan to Open Cross-Strait Tourism Offices
(AFP, Apr. 12, 2010) China and Taiwan are to open tourist offices on each other's territory for the first time in 60 years amid fast warming relations between the two former bitter rivals, officials said.

Former Premier Given Permission to Visit Shanghai
(Taipei Times, Apr. 11, 2010) Former premier Liu Chao-shiuan was given the green light to visit Shanghai next month to officially open the Taiwan Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo, Executive Yuan spokesman Johnny Chiang said.

Taiwan May Spur a Democratic China: Li
(China Post, Apr. 8, 2010) The existence of Taiwan provides a momentum to spur democratization in China, a scholar from the communist country was cited as saying in Washington D.C.

Taiwan Retired Generals’ Mainland Visit Enriches Cross-Strait Exchanges: Top Political Advisor (Xinhua, Apr. 7, 2010) Top political advisor Jia Qinglin said the mainland visit by retired generals from Taiwan has enriched the content of exchanges across the Taiwan Strait and is a sign of improved ties.

Shanghai Mayor Visits Taiwan; Memo Expected
(China Daily, Apr. 6, 2010) Shanghai mayor Han Zheng kicks off his closely-watched Taiwan visit, a first among mainland's four central municipal governors, and is expected to secure a cooperation memo.

Shanghai Mayor to Visit Taipei for First Time to Lead Exchange Delegation (China Post, Apr. 5, 2010) Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng will visit Taipei tomorrow for the first time ever, leading a 200-member delegation to attend a forum on city-to-city exchanges, the Taipei City government said.

Su Nixes Plans to Attend Boao
(Taipei Times, Apr. 1, 2010) The former National Security Council chief will instead participate in a conference at Harvard University, where he said he will be able to speak out freely.

Cross-strait Trade Increased 77.1 Percent in Jan. and Feb.
(China Post, Mar. 26, 2010) Bilateral trade between China and Taiwan totaled US$18.91 billion during the first two months of 2010, a 77.1 percent increase from the same period last year, said China's Ministry of Commerce.

China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Arrives
(CNA, Mar. 26, 2010) China's Vice Minister of Commerce Jiang Zengwei, traveling as the head of a 50 member Chinese business delegation, arrived in Taipei Thursday for a five-day visit.

Su Chi to Attend Boao Forum of Asia Next Month
(China Post, Mar. 22, 2010) There were reports that it was President Ma who is sending the delegates there to talk to the leaders in China and that they will exchange views about Taiwan's position with Xi Jin-ping, China's vice president during their stay.

Taiwan Approves Plans to Let Chinese Banks Invest
(Bloomberg, Mar. 12, 2010) Taiwan’s Cabinet has approved plans to allow mainland Chinese companies to invest in domestic lenders, brokerages and insurers, paving the way for a broader economic accord as cross-strait relations improve.

Gov’t Still Studying Steps to Woo Chinese Investment
(China Post, Mar. 9, 2010) The Ministry of Economic Affairs is still assessing the feasibility of further easing curbs on Chinese investment in Taiwan while Beijing authorities are more aggressively luring Taiwan capital by increasing lending to investors from the island.

Taiwan’s Stocks Index Most in Six Months on Mainland Trade Talks (Bloomberg, Mar. 1, 2010) Taiwan shares rose the most in six months on speculation China will agree on tax breaks for companies from the island, boosting their profits.

Visitors from China May Surpass Japanese in 2010
(China Post, Feb. 21, 2010) Although the Japanese were the largest group of foreign visitors to Taiwan last year, they may soon be overtaken by Chinese nationals in 2010.

Chinese Tourists Visit Taiwan in Record Numbers Over the Lunar New Year (China Post, Feb. 16, 2010) Travel related industries scrambled to serve the unprecedented number of mainland guests touring Taiwan over the holiday as more than 10,000 visitors arrived on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

DPP Presses for Legislative Task Force on Cross-Strait Affairs
(CNA, Feb. 8, 2010) The opposition Democratic Progressive Party reiterated Monday what it sees as the importance of setting up a legislative task force to oversee cross-Taiwan Strait affairs.

Taiwan May Announce Relaxing of China LCD Limit Controls
(Bloomberg, Feb. 4, 2010) Taiwan may announce a decision to relax restrictions on flat-panel display makers investing in China over the next two weeks, an economy ministry official said.

Too Early for Offices: SEF Chairman
(Taipei Times, Jan. 31, 2010) SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kun said that it would be too early for the foundation and China’s ARATS to set up offices on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Tourism Growth Tops Asia on China Boom: Report
(AFP, Jan. 30, 2010) Tourism grew in Taiwan faster than anywhere else in Asia last year on the back of an influx of Chinese visitors, a report said.

CSI Cross-Straits 500 Index Launched
(China Post, Jan. 19, 2010) The CSI Cross-Straits 500 index was officially launched yesterday by the China Securities Index (CSI), tracking stocks in the China, Hong Kong and Taiwan bourses.

Haiti Aid a Telling Test of China-Taiwan Relations
(AP, Jan. 17, 2010) One of the world's trickiest relationships is being tested in devastated Haiti, where China and Taiwan are rushing aid to one of Taipei's few remaining diplomatic allies.

Chinese Capital Coming
(China Post, Jan. 16, 2010) The Chinese qualified domestic institutional investors (QDIIs) are expected to start making investments in the Taiwan stock market as early as next week after the Financial Supervisory Commission announced a set of enforcement rules.

More Than 600,000 Chinese Visited Taiwan in 2009: Media
(AFP, Jan. 1, 2009) More than 600,000 Chinese tourists visited Taiwan in 2009, state-run media reported, amid warming relations between the two sides.

Yuriko Koike: China’s Soft-Power Offensive in Taiwan
(Strait Times, Jan. 31, 2012) China's behaviour during the recent presidential election in Taiwan demonstrates that its leaders have learned some lessons, if only the hard way.

US Expert Sees Cautious Cross-Strait Policy By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, Jan. 19, 2012) Former AIT chairman Richard Bush said that negotiations over cross-strait political and security issues are not high on Ma Ying-jeou’s agenda.

Building a Foundation for Peace By Chang Teng-chi
(Taipei Times, Nov. 30, 2011) I have yet to see a member of the KMT come clean and clarify what the conditions for peace are to be. The DPP, meanwhile, seems to be content to wait until after the election, making all the right noises to make sure the major powers feel satisfied that their concerns are unfounded.

Taiwan’s Lien Meets China’s Hu, Sees Signs of Mainland Political Reform By Michael Forsythe (Bloomberg, Nov. 12, 2011) Lien Chan, the honorary chairman of Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang Party, said he believes China’s leaders are considering some degree of political reform “in the coming decade.”

Taiwan’s Ma Talks Peace but Gets an Earful By Jens Kastner
(Asia Times, Oct. 27, 2011) Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's mention of a possible peace agreement with mainland China to end six decades of hostility across the Taiwan Strait has become a political bombshell.

Looming China Fosters Taiwan Identity in Independence Heartland By Ben Blanchard (Reuters, Oct. 25, 2011) Most Taiwanese show little enthusiasm to join up with their ethnic kin across the narrow Taiwan Strait, even if ancestrally many can trace their origins to the province of Fujian, which faces Taiwan and shares the same main dialect.

Ma’s China-Taiwan Peace Pact Balancing Act By Aries Poon
(China Real Time Report, Oct. 21, 2011) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou this week performed a careful balancing act on the highly charged issue of relations with China, as he faces challengers from both ends of the spectrum. And in the process, analysts say, he may have sent a hint to Beijing as well as to voters about what growing ties between the two might involve.

Can Taiwan Escape China’s Ever-Tightening Embrace? By Doug Bandow (Forbes, Aug. 22, 2011) How can Taiwan escape Beijing’s potentially suffocating embrace? It won’t be easy. Government Information Minister Philip Yang observed: “We need to be prudent and patient in dealing with cross-strait relations” in order to “maintain our independence and prosperity.”

Beijing’s Intention in Cross-Straits Ties By Frank Ching
(Korea Times, Aug. 18, 2011) Beijing evidently believes that while this is a two-way street, it has a better chance of winning the support of Taiwanese than Taiwan has of winning over the hearts and minds of mainlanders.

Soft Power Smackdown! Confucius Institute vs. Taiwan Academy By Aries Poon (China Realtime Report, Aug. 12, 2011) At the same time as Taiwan is moving to defend itself against China’s rising military power, the island is also planning a counteroffensive against the mainland’s push for greater soft power.

As Chinese Visit Taiwan, the Cultural Influence Is Subdued By Andrew Jacobs (New York Times,, Aug. 11, 2011) Economics are a key factor in the growing rapprochement, but the decision to open the door to greater contacts has also been inspired by politics and some wishful thinking on both sides.

Strait Ahead? China’s Fifth Generation Leaders And Taiwan Policy By Jacques deLisle (Eurasia Review, Jul. 10, 2011) Beijing’s current Taiwan policy is likely to remain in place as the PRC begins a transition from the so-called fourth-generation leadership to the fifth generation leadership.

Communication for Better Understanding and Improvement of Cross-Taiwan Strait Relations By Chu Shulong (Brookings, June 2011) Since early 2008, the Institute of International Strategic and Development Studies of Tsinghua University in Beijing, China and the Institute for International Relations at National Chengchi University in Taiwan have organized a series of private workshops, collectively called the “Academic Dialogue,” on cross-Taiwan Strait relations.

Unification Looms: US Academic By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, May 11, 2011) Taiwan’s “weak self-strengthening” and a marked decline in US support for its freedom of action further bound it to accommodating China, Robert Sutter said.

Taiwan and East Asia Security By Richard C. Bush
(Orbis, May 2011) Since Ma took office in 2008, the two sides have undertaken a systematic effort to stabilize their relations. The big question for many in China, Taiwan, the United States, Japan and other places is where the current process is leading.

Ma’s Cross-Strait Policy a Limited Success: US Expert By William Lowther (Taipei Times, Mar. 16, 2011) “China has not only withheld support for further expansion of Taiwan’s international space, it has also continued long-standing efforts to squeeze Taiwan’s international space,” said Bonnie Glaser.

A Long-term Approach to China Ties By Lee Wen-chung
(Taipei Times, Feb. 18, 2011) In this article, I am suggesting that we should encourage dialogue with China on all levels, but make peace, freedom and democracy integral to these talks.

Chinese Growth a Danger, Opportunity Wolfowitz Said By William Lowther (Taipei Times, Feb. 2, 2011) Former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz said the spectacular growth of the Chinese economy provided both “danger and opportunity for Taiwan.”

KMT Slows Pace of Cross-Strait Ties By Ko Shu-ling
(Taipei Times, Dec. 27, 2010) The Mainland Affairs Council caught the public’s attention after it ran advertisements in Chinese-language media promoting the Republic of China flag, to coincide with the sixth round of high-level cross-strait talks.

Evolution of Cross-Strait Relations By Tung Chen-yuan
(Taipei Times, Dec. 13, 2010) While cross-strait issues were not a main focus of the recent special municipality elections, the results will definitely have an impact on the future development of cross-strait relations.

Relations Should Be Virtuous Cycle: Yang
(CNA, Dec. 5, 2010) It is imperative for China to respect the will of the people of Taiwan and make the development of cross-Taiwan Strait relations a virtuous, rather a vicious cycle, Foreign Minister Timothy C.T. Yang said in an interview.

Time for the DPP to Start a Dialogue with China By Tseng Chien-yuan (Taipei Times, Dec. 4, 2010) DPP needs to find a way to cooperate with the progressive forces within China, embracing them as strategic partners and allies of Taiwanese constitutional democracy.

Election Results Might Slow Cross-Strait Progress: Pundits
(CNA, Nov. 29, 2010) The Nov. 27 election outcome gave President Ma Ying-jeou a reason to be thankful, but beneath the glow of victory could be a warning call to slow down his China-friendly policy, said scholars at a forum.

Taiwan Election Result May Accelerate Efforts on China Ties By Janet Ong and Weiyi Lim (Bloomberg, Nov. 28, 2010) Taiwan may speed up steps to improve relations with China after the ruling Kuomintang party did well in key local elections, an indication voters support President Ma Ying-jeou’s cooperation with the mainland.

China Turns Up Heat on Taiwan to Talk Politics By Ralph Jennings
(Reuters, Nov. 24, 2010) Chinese officials are mounting pressure on Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou to move toward political agreements as he shrugs them off despite a recent easing of tension after decades of hostility, analysts say.

“War without Gunfire”: China’s Intelligence War with Taiwan By Russell Hsiao (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Nov. 5, 2010) As the center of economic and political gravity in the Taiwan Strait shifts toward China, Beijing appears to be gaining an upper hand in this "war without gunfire."

Taiwanese Cheering for Liu, Angry at Ma By Takio Murakami
(Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 16, 2010) Taiwan's traditional ambivalence over its relations with mainland China has taken a knock as it struggles to formulate a response to the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to imprisoned pro-democracy activist Liu Xiaobo.

Three-Stage China Policy, Viable Strategy or Slogan? By Ko Shu-ling (Taipei Times, Sep. 13, 2010) Recent remarks by President Ma Ying-jeou about cross-strait relations reflected the strategic jousting between Taiwan and China as Beijing steps up pressure for political talks, analysts said.

Welcoming Chinese Is the Ultimate Diplomacy By Tom Walk
(Taipei Times, Aug. 24, 2010) Cutting off the lines of communication is not an option, while the reverse is beneficial for both sides. Of course, exchanges should be managed. However, opposing the entry of Chinese into the education system or workplace based on fear is tantamount to shooting oneself in the foot.

Talk of the Day: Differences Over the ‘1992 Consensus’
(CNA, Aug. 12, 2010) Li Yafei, vice president ARATS, said at a seminar in Taipei that adherence by Taiwan and China to an anti-independence stance and the "1992 consensus" since 2008 has helped build trust and end confrontation between the two sides.

Rival Museums Retrace Route of China’s Imperial Treasures By David Barboza (New York Times, Jul. 7, 2010) The project is extraordinary because it was organized by rival museums, the Palace Museum of Beijing and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan, each of which claims to be the rightful home of the artifacts.

What Hong Kong Election Reform Tells Taiwan
(Editorial, Jun. 27, 2010) Decision makers from both the pro-China and pro-independent sides in Taiwan should give another look to Hong Kong's election reform to better understand China and devise smarter ways to deal with the People's Republic.

How to Measure Cross-Strait Peace By Tung Chen-yuan
(Taipei Times, Jun. 12, 2010) To achieve full marks, cross-strait peace must simultaneously meet four criteria — the absence of open military conflict, the existence of institutional mechanisms to safeguard peace, regular interaction between the two governments, the absence of animosity and the existence of considerable goodwill between the two populations.

Taiwan President: ‘A Long Way to Go’ before Talks with China By Howard Schneider (Washington Post, May 7, 2010) Despite warming relations and deepening trade ties, it is "premature" to consider a meeting between the leaders of Taiwan and China, Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said.

Taiwan Gains Mainland Market Entry By Jonathan Adams
(New York Times, Feb. 12, 2010) Taiwan’s decision to relax some restrictions on investment in mainland China will help its flat panel manufacturers compete in the mainland’s booming consumer electronics market, analysts and company officials said.

The Politics of Disaster Relief: China, Taiwan and the Haitian Earthquake By Daniel Erikson (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Feb. 4, 2010) Faced with a skeptical audience abroad and a supportive one at home, the Haitian earthquake forced Chinese leaders to navigate the tricky politics of disaster relief.

Report Calls for Slow Approach to CBMs By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, Jan. 14, 2010) A major new US study warns that while it is important to build mutual trust, China and Taiwan should not move prematurely to discuss military CBMs and should wait until both sides are fully prepared.

Sir Isaac and the Law of Gravity in the Strait By James Holmes
(Taipei Times, Jan. 8, 2010) If Newtonian logic governs cross-strait affairs, a glance at the map implies that Taiwan will be drawn into China’s orbit. But Taiwan is better equipped than 19th-century Cuba, Hawaii or the Philippines to defy political gravity.

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