Cross-Strait Issues

Polls

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.

MOUs on Three Financial Sectors to be Inked: FSC
(China Post, Jun. 26, 2009) Both sides of the Taiwan Straits are very likely to sign a MOU on cooperation in the three sectors of banking, insurance and securities simultaneously, probably in July or August, Chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission said.

Taiwan Not Ready to Discuss Political Matters with PRC Counterparts: MAC (Taipei Times, Jun. 25, 2009) The Mainland Affairs Council said the government was not ready to engage in political negotiations with Beijing.

KMT Hails China’s Response to Call for Truce on Expatriate Front
(CNA, Jun. 21, 2009) China's positive response to Taiwan's call for a truce among expatriates from the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will contribute to the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, a ruling Kuomintang official said.

DPP Should Adjust China Strategy: Tainan Mayor
(CNA, Jun. 17, 2009) The opposition Democratic Progressive Party will not rashly engage China but should adjust its strategy to deal with a rising China, Tainan Mayor Hsu Tain-tsair, a prominent DPP member, was reported as saying.

Kaohsiung City Mayor Willing to Visit China Again: Report
(CNA, Jun. 16, 2009) Following her recent ice breaking visit to China in mid-May, Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chu and a stalwart of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party Chen Chu, said she would like to visit China again if there is another chance to do so.

Ex-VP Lu Urges DPP to Have Closed-Door Debates on China Policy (China Post, Jun. 13, 2009) Former Vice President Annette Lu said that the Democratic Progressive Party should hold closed-door discussions to seek internal consensus on its China policy, instead of conducting open debates on the issue.

Pressure Builds for Ma-Hu Meet
(Taipei Times, Jun. 12, 2009) The Taipei mayor said that the president should arrange to meet with the Chinese president as soon as he becomes the chairman of the KMT.

DPP Blasts Ma’s China Proposal As Trashing Taiwan’s Integrity
(China Post, Jun 11, 2009) The opposition camp blasted President Ma Ying-jeou for what they believed to be his proposal to adopt China's simplified Chinese characters in Taiwan.

China Says to Buy More Taiwan Goods to Help Economy
(Reuters, Jun. 10, 2009) China said it will send more delegations to Taiwan to buy goods as a way of helping the self-governing island's export-dependent economy.

DPP Legislator Proposes Debate on China Policy
(Taipei Times, Jun. 8, 2009) Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Gao Jyh-peng said he would submit a proposal to the party’s Central Standing Committee this week asking headquarters to hold a debate on the party’s China policy.

DPP’s Tsai Against Lifting Chip Tech Ban on China
(China Post, Jun. 7, 2009) The main opposition party warned the government against lifting a ban on chipmakers setting up 12-inch wafer fabs in China, saying no changes should be introduced until careful evaluation and planning have been made.

Taiwan Considers Allowing 12-Inch Fabs in China
(Reuters, Jun. 6, 2009) Taiwan is considering allowing its companies to set up advanced wafer fabs in China, government officials said.

Lu Urges DPP to Be Open-Minded on Cross-Strait Issues
(Taipei Times, Jun. 6, 2009) Former vice president Annette Lu said that the Democratic Progressive Party should behave like a responsible opposition party and have a more open attitude toward cross-strait exchanges.

Another Opposition DPP Mayor to Visit China
(CNA, Jun. 4, 2009) Tainan City Mayor Hsu Tain-tsair, a prominent member of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, is scheduled to visit China in late June.

DPP Rules to Ask Officials to Report Visits to China
(Taipei Times, Jun. 4, 2009) The regulations were supposed to be finalized yesterday, but confirmation of the new rules was put off because of differing opinions within the party hierarchy.

President Ma Hails Visits by DPP Figures to China
(CNA, May 29, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said that he highly endorses visits to China by local government officials from Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party.

DPP to Set Up Protocols for China Visits
(Taipei Times, May 29, 2009) DPP plans to establish a set of protocols and regulations for party members when visiting China, party spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang said, but declined to disclose when the document would be published.

China and Taiwan Sign Cross-Strait Deals
(Wall Street Journal, May 29, 2009) The largest ever mainland Chinese buying mission to Taiwan signed contracts valued at $281 million, and as many as nine other similar purchasing visits are on the way.

Mainland Welcomes Visits of More Taiwan Opposition Politicians: Official (Xinhua, May 27, 2009) The Chinese mainland welcomes more visits with politicians of the Democratic Progressive Party, the opposition in Taiwan, said an official here.

Chinese President Meets Leader of Taiwanese Party By Michael Wines (New York Times, May 27, 2009) President Hu Jintao of China hosted the leader of Taiwan’s governing party in Beijing, as both sides promised closer economic ties and a continued thaw in relations between the rivals.

KMT Chairman Wu Po-hsiung Visiting Beijing
(China Post, May 26, 2009) Kuomintang chairman Wu Poh-hsiung is making a low-profile visit to China.

Mayor Chen Brushes off Praise for Ma Remark
(China Post, May 24, 2009) Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu played down the implications of political remarks she made during her ongoing visit in China.

Taiwan Wants to Sign Trade Pact with China As Soon As Possible
(DPA, May 24, 2009) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou urged China to sign a trade pact with Taiwan as soon as possible, despite objection from Taiwan’s opposition party DPP.

Kaohsiung Mayor’s Ma Reference Draws Praise from DPP, KMT
(China Post, May 23, 2009) Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu’s mentioning of “President Ma Ying-jeou of our central government” while meeting with Chinese officials particularly won praise from DPP members who had previously opposed the trip.

Taiwan Invited to Take Part in 2010 Shanghai World Expo
(China Post, May 23, 2009) The Taiwan Pavilion will be in Area A, that is assigned to Asian countries. Its neighbor pavilions will be erected by Nepal, India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan.

Mayor of Kaohsiung Chen Chu in Beijing
(China Post, May 22, 2009) Mayor of Kaohsiung Chen Chu became the first top government leader of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party to visit Beijing.

China Low-Key Ahead of Taiwan Leader’s U.S. Trip
(Reuters, May 21, 2009) China reacted coolly on Thursday to plans by Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou to stop off in the United States next week en route to Central America.

Pres. Ma Pledges to Push for Rapprochement with China
(China Post, May 20, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou denied Taiwan's sovereignty has ever been denigrated in the past year, as he again pledged his all-out effort to push for rapprochement with China.

No Referendum Is Needed on ECFA Proposal: Ma
(Taipei Times, May 20, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said the economic pact his administration plans to sign with Beijing does not require a referendum because it steers clear of politics and concerns only economic issues.

Chinese Officials Urges Mainland Businesses to Invest in Taiwan, Plan Purchasing Mission (AP, May 18, 2009) China has outlined plans for encouraging mainland Chinese businesses to expand their investments in Taiwan, and has scheduled several purchasing missions to buy food and consumer products.

Beijing Says It Is Prepared to Conclude ECFA with Taipei
(China Post, May 18, 2009) Speaking at the meeting of the Straits Forum on China-Taiwan Relations, Wang Yi said Beijing is now ready to negotiate and conclude an economic cooperation framework agreement with Taipei.

China Adds 5 More Mainland Ports for Direct Taiwan Shipping
(Bloomberg, May 16, 2009) China approved five additional ports for direct shipping with Taiwan, bringing the total to 68, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported, citing China’s transportation ministry.

China Aims to Strengthen Taiwan Ties: State Council
(China Post, May 15, 2009) According to the plan, China will open the economic development zone to Taiwan banks and insurance and securities firms to expand services such as currency exchange and clearance.

Taiwan Ready for Chinese Investment
(China Post, May 13, 2009) Minister of Economic Affairs Yiin Chii-ming announced the government will open to Chinese investments in Taiwan's 99 industries and business lines in the manufacturing and service sectors as well as the infrastructure sector.

Ma Would Consider Peace Talks in 2012
(Taipei Times, May 12, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said he would not negotiate unification with China during his presidency, but would consider launching talks on a peace agreement if re-elected in 2012.

No Strong Reaction to Ma’s ‘Political Dialogue’ with Beijing
(China Post, May 11, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou's surprise initiative to start political dialogue with Beijing in 2012 provoked no strong reaction from pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party leaders.

Government Hopes for Representative Office across Strait
(Taipei Times, May 10, 2009) Taiwan would like to open a representative office in China to handle a variety of matters arising from increased exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and wants Beijing to reciprocate, Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Chairman said.

Tsai Warns of Strategic Collapse
(Taipei Times, May 8, 2009) Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen told a Washington audience that there remains “a deep sense of anxiety and uncertainty within Taiwan” about the way President Ma Ying-jeou has engaged in rapid rapprochement with China.

Taiwan and China Meet for Closer Cooperation at the Boao Forum
(CNA, Apr. 19, 2009) The Taiwanese delegation attending the 2009 Boao Forum for Asia met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the event.

Details Finalized for Cross-Strait Talks
(Taipei Times, Apr. 19, 2009) The third round of cross-strait talks between the Straits Exchange Foundation and China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait will be held from April 25 to April 29 in Nanjing, China, a preparatory meeting for the talks determined.

ARATS Negotiators Greeted by Protestors
(China Post, Apr. 18, 2009) A delegation of Chinese negotiators were greeted by pro-independence protesters upon their arrival in Taiwan for a round of talks about details of possible agreements between Taiwan and China.

Peace Treaty with China is Next Step: Ma Adviser
(Taipei Times, Apr. 11, 2009) Signing a peace agreement with China will be the next step toward advancing and consolidating cross-strait relations, although it will take a long time to achieve such a pact, a former representative to the US said in Taipei.

3rd Round of Cross-Strait Talks to Be in Nanjing
(CNA, Apr. 10, 2009) The third round of talks between top negotiators from both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be held in the Chinese city of Nanjing “barring accidents,” the spokesman for the Mainland Affairs Council said.

MAC Acknowledges Difficulties in Inking Accords with China
(Taipei Times, Apr. 3, 2009) With the third round of high-level cross-strait talks approaching, the Mainland Affairs Council admitted there were difficulties in signing four agreements with Beijing, including regular aviation flights and financial cooperation.

Economic Zone with Coastal China Recommended
(China Post, Apr. 1, 2009) Taiwan needs to form a “common economic zone” with the southeast coast of China to create tens of thousands of job opportunities, the Council for Industrial and Commercial Development recommended.

Expansion of Air Service Next on Cross-Strait Agenda
(Taipei Times, Mar. 17, 2009) Straits Exchange Foundation Deputy Chairman Kao Koong-lian said that the third round of cross-strait negotiations with China would address issues related to the right of airlines to provide connecting flights and for passenger flights to carry cargo.

Anti-secession Law ‘Unnecessary’: Ma
(China Post, Mar. 15, 2009) The Taiwan government yesterday urged China to remove its anti-secession law and missiles that are meant to intimidate the island into staying away from the road to independence.

DPP Caucus Calls for Task Force on China Policies
(Taipei Times, Mar. 9, 2009) The Democratic Progressive Party caucus proposed an interparty legislative task force to monitor the government’s cross-strait policies and interaction with China.

Signing ECFA with No. 1 Export Market Vital to Taiwan Trade: Ma
(China Post, Mar. 8, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou stressed that as mainland China is Taiwan's largest export market, signing an ECFA with China can help to normalize cross-strait economic and trade ties.

DPP Objects to Former Vice President Lu Visiting China
(China Post, Mar. 7, 2009) The pro-independence camp voiced objection to former Vice President Annette Lu's plan to visit China, but she said the opposition needs to play an active role monitoring cross-strait relations.

Taiwanese Official Indicated on Spying for China
(AP, Mar. 6, 2009) A senior employee of Taiwan's presidential office was indicted Friday on charges of providing classified information to rival China.

China Says Ready to Talk to Taiwan, End Hostility
(AP, Mar. 5, 2009) China's Premier Wen Jiabao said that Beijing is ready to hold talks with Taiwan on political and military issues in the pursuit of ending hostility between the longtime rivals.

Taiwan Should Bundle Trade Pact Talks: Scholars
(CNA, Mar. 5, 2009) Scholars suggested that the proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China should be promoted in tandem with economic talks with other countries.

Premier Denies ‘Political’ Bias in ECFA Plan
(Taipei Times, Mar. 4, 2009) Premier Liu Chao-shiuan promised not to sign an “economic cooperation framework agreement” (ECFA) with China under a “political” framework amid opposition lawmakers’ concerns that the nation would not have equal footing with China.

China: Economic Zone Proposed with Taiwan
(New York Times, Mar. 3, 2009) The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body in Beijing, will receive a proposal to set up a “cross-straits economic zone” with Taiwan.

Taiwan Renames Trade Pact
(Strait Times, Mar. 2, 2009) The four-letter acronym of a proposed trade pact with China has sparked such a storm in Taiwan that the government had to change its name.

CECA Is Non-political: Ma
(China Post, Feb. 28, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated that the unification-independence issue has nothing to do with the economic pact that Taiwan is seeking to sign with China in order to boost the island's competitiveness.

Content of Pact Must Be OK’d by the Legislature: MAC Head
(CNA, Feb. 28, 2009) If Taiwan signs a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with China, it would not take effect unless the Legislature approves it, Taiwan's top China-policy planner reiterated.

Beijing Welcomes Visit by Former VP Lu
(China Post, Feb. 26, 2009) Beijing would welcome any visitors as long they embrace a peaceful approach to cross-strait relations, a Chinese official said in response to pro-independence ex-Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu's offer to visit China.

No Timetable for Signing CECA with China: Premier
(CNA, Feb. 25, 2009) The government has not set a timetable for the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with China, because this will depend partly on the progress of negotiations between the two sides, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan said.

WTO Basis for CECA Talks: Yiin
(China Post, Feb. 23, 2009) Taipei officials tried to deny a comprehensive economic cooperation arrangement between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait isn't the first step toward Chinese unification.

CECA Won’t Be Signed at Meet: SEF Head
(China Post, Feb. 19, 2009) Taiwan and China will not sign a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement during their planned third round of negotiations, Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, reiterated.

China to Lend Taiwan Forbidden City Relics As Ties Thaw
(Reuters, Feb. 16, 2009) China will lend long-time rival Taiwan 29 relics from Beijing's Forbidden City, state media said, 60 years after defeated Nationalists fled to the island taking similar treasures with them.

DPP Urges Consensus Before CECA Is Signed
(China Post, Feb. 15, 2009) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party called for the government not to sign a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with China without the social consensus of the Taiwanese people.

Taiwan to Study Possible CECA with China
(CNA, Feb. 14, 2009) The Ministry of Economic Affairs promised yesterday to study the feasibility of signing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with China, in response to a call by business and industrial groups for the government to hold talks with Beijing on that and other trade matters.

Presidential Office Denies China Spy Recruitment Report
(AP, Feb. 14, 2009) The Presidential Office yesterday denied a newspaper report that said the National Security Council had ordered the organization in charge of the nation’s espionage efforts to cease the recruitment of agents to work for the nation inside China.

Taiwan Mustn’t Let Down Guard: Scholars
(CNA, Feb. 12, 2009) Two noted American scholars expressed confidence in President Ma Ying-jeou's handling of cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, but advised that the Ma administration should never let down its guard against China's intention to reunite with Taiwan.

Gov’t Looking to Talk to China on CECA
(China Post, Feb. 11, 2009) The government will seek to start discussing negotiations with China about reaching the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement starting this year in a bid to help Taiwanese enterprises maintain and beef up export sales.

‘Economic First’ in Cross-Strait Policy: SEF
(CNA, Feb. 10, 2009) Taiwan has not changed its “economy first, politics later” stance in its cross-Taiwan Strait policy, Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung said in an interview carried in Singapore newspaper, Lianhe Zaobao.

Taiwan to Launch Regular Flights with China
(DPA, Feb. 7, 2009) Taiwan plans to launch regular flights with China in the first half of 2009, an official said.

Pres. Office Denies That First Lady Will Visit China
(China Post, Feb. 5, 2009) The Presidential Office denied that first lady Christine Chow had any plan to visit China.

Closer China Ties Fortify Sovereignty: Ma
(CNA, Feb. 4, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said that the normalization of bilateral relations between Taiwan and China has contributed to the consolidation of Taiwan's sovereignty and enabled the country to make significant gains in foreign relations and national defense.

MAC Rejects Criticism of Ma’s Cross-Strait Policies
(Taipei Times, Feb. 3, 2009) The Mainland Affairs Council dismissed criticism of President Ma Ying-jeou’s cross-strait policies, saying the administration was firmly upholding national sovereignty and the public’s right to decide the nation’s future.

Hu’s Plan Will Guide Ties with Taiwan: MAC
(CNA, Feb. 2, 2009) The six-point overture on the peaceful development of cross-strait ties that Chinese President Hu Jintao spelled out recently can be seen as a framework for China's policy toward Taiwan in the year to come, an official said.

Taiwan to Speed Up Talks with China on Trade Deal
(Reuters, Feb. 2, 2009) Taiwan plans to speed up talks with diplomatic rival China this year on a wide-reaching trade deal amid a worsening global economic crisis, the Commercial Times said.

Taiwan to Keep Up China Talks Despite Spy Case
(AP, Jan. 15, 2009) Taiwan plans to continue to its high-level talks with rival China, despite media reports that a presidential office staffer was arrested on suspicion of spying for Beijing.

Presidential Office Employee Arrested Over Possible Leak
(AP, Jan. 15, 2009) A spokesman for Presidential Office says an employee has been arrested on suspicion of leaking official documents.

A Tale of Two Museums Unfolds As Taiwan-China Rivalry Thaws
(AFP, Jan. 11, 2009) The major museums of long-term rivals Taiwan and China are planning unprecedented exchange visits and could hold a joint exhibition as the once-bitter distance between them narrows.

China, Taiwan to Talk Business
(Reuters, Jan. 6, 2009) Top negotiators from rivals Taiwan and China will meet again this week to discuss issues facing island investors who see China as an important but increasingly difficult place to do business amid the global economic crisis.

A Constructive Take on the Strait By Yu Tsung-chi
(Taipei Times, Jun. 16, 2009) how we can better explain and formulate a security policy toward China using a constructivist approach? The answer lies in the social interactions and cultural norms that shape common identities.

Groupthink Undermines Taiwan’s PRC Policy By Lin Cheng-yi
(Taipei Times, May 26, 2009) Political reconciliation does not necessarily entail taking a joint attitude toward the outside world, but it would at least reduce the blind spots created by groupthink.

Taiwan-China Business Ties Grow
(AP, May 23, 2009) China and Taiwan are seeking new business ventures in each other's territories like never before as investment and travel barriers fall between the once bitter enemies amid warmer political ties.

A Healthy Turn for Taiwan-Mainland Ties By Jian Junbo
(Asia Times, May 19, 2009) Taiwan's participation at this week's World Health Assembly in Geneva has been welcomed on the island as a breakthrough in its drive for greater international recognition, but it is more an indicator of its rapidly warming ties with Beijing.

Is It Time for the SEF to Bow Out? By Hong Chi-chang
(Taipei Times, May 18, 2009) As time goes by, thorny and sensitive issues are likely to come to the fore. It is therefore important that the government and the public work together with regard to cross-strait talks.

Exuberance in Taiwan as Ties with China Warm By Jonathan Adams
(New York Times, May 14, 2009) Optimists see decades of bitter rivalry across the Taiwan Strait fading. But others here are cautioning that the opening to mainland money could take longer than expected.

The Risks and Benefits of Detente By Yu Tsung-chi
(Taipei Times, May 14, 2009) Does economic interdependence increase or decrease the probability of peace across the Taiwan Strait? With bilateral trade between China and Taiwan hitting a record high, this question holds great significance.

Taiwan Says It Needs China Trade By Daniel Ong Kian Hong
(Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2009) Taiwan's top economic planner said the recession-struck island urgently needs to craft closer trade ties with China to ensure it's not left out of a free-trade movement developing across the region.

The Folly of Ignoring Cross-Strait Imbalance By Lin Cheng-yi
(Taipei Times, May 5, 2009) Well-known neo-conservatives and Taiwan experts Robert Sutter and Shelley Rigger have expressed some unease, a reflection of the difficulties Taiwan will experience in striking a balance between the US and China.

Investing in Cross-Strait Relations By Daniel H. Rosen
(Wall Street Journal Asia, May 4, 2009) Critics within Taiwan will inevitably argue that normalizing economic relations with China brings Taiwan additional national security risk. In the U.S. experience and world-wide, inward investment has proven not to undermine national security but rather enhance it.

Cross-Strait Relations: First the Easy, Now the Hard By Alan D. Romberg (China Leadership Monitor, April 2009) While officials on both sides continue to speak of the need to move "step-by-step," in fact, some people in Taiwan as well as on the Mainland have shown a desire to accelerate the pace, trying to get as much as possible done while Ma and Hu are both in power.

Taiwan Says It Is Not Ready for Peace Talks with China By Jane Rickards and Ariana Eunjung Cha (Washington Post, Mar. 6, 2009) Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou ruled out any near-term prospect of peace talks with China, saying relations are too tenuous to consider discussing political or military issues.

A Muted Call from China to Taiwan By Keith Bradsher
(International Herald Tribune, Mar. 5, 2009) Prime Minister Wen Jiabao offered few specifics on resolving the two sides' most intractable differences and conspicuously omitted a previous suggestion by Hu Jintao for improving communication on military issues.

The Bottom Line That Taiwan Faces By Dennis V. Hickey
(Taipei Times, Mar. 1, 2009) Irrespective of evidence and arguments to the contrary, it is important to understand that Chinese at both elite and popular levels perceive Taiwan to be an integral part of China.

CECA Comes with Big Hidden Costs By Tsai Ing-Wen
(Taipei Times, Mar. 1, 2009) The signing of CECA would not only affect issues such as Taiwanese sovereignty and economic autonomy, but also affect the lives of ordinary Taiwanese. It is simplistic to argue that the DPP opposes the CECA merely on ideological grounds.

Taiwan, China Negotiating a Landmark Free-Trade Agreement By Ariana Eunjung Cha (Washington Post, Feb. 21, 2009) Taiwan and China are negotiating a wide-ranging free-trade agreement that represents an important step toward the possibility of unification of the longtime adversaries.

Exclusive Ma Ying-jeou Interview: Nothing to Fear from CECA with Beijing: Ma (Taipei Times, Feb. 20, 2009) The government’s cross-strait policies have prompted concerns over the potential impact on Taiwan’s sovereignty. In an interview, President Ma responded to his critics.

China-Taiwan Relations Become Bearable By Calum MacLeod
(USA Today, Jan. 25, 2009) A pair of pandas at the Taipei Zoo go on public display for the first time today to celebrate the Chinese New Year. And they're the cuddliest sign of warmer diplomatic ties between China and Taiwan.

Cross-Strait Relations: “Ascend the Heights and Take a Long-term Perspective” By Alan D. Romberg (China Leadership Monitor, Winter, 2009) Although Taiwan faced economic challenges during this period akin to those faced by everyone else, and although these contributed to deepening political divisions and turmoil over cross-Strait relations, in fact, those relations were moving ahead well.

Empty Seats Show Glitches in China-Taiwan Flights By Ralph Jennings (Reuters, Jan. 15, 2009) Planes are flying with many empty seats a month after daily direct flights began between political rivals Taiwan and China, and travel officials are urging that some of the restrictions in the landmark deal be loosened.

China Signals Thaw on Taiwan By Eli Lake
(Washington Times, Jan. 7, 2009) China specialists say the incoming administration will inherit the best prospects in years for a thaw in relations between China and Taiwan, easing a perennial irritant in U.S.-China relations.

Taiwan Calls for New Ties
(Strait Times, Jan. 2, 2009) Taiwan responded positively to Chinese President Hu Jintao's call for a truce with the island, saying it reflects China's 'new thinking' and 'pragmatic approach' on cross-strait ties.

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