|
|
|
|
|
|
China-Taiwan Dispute Primer
Assessment: The freeze between China and Taiwan appears to be thawing with the election of Taiwan’s new President Ma Ying-jeou and his clear change of attitude towards relations with the mainland. Ma’s task will not be easy in that he will have to countenance China’s demand for negotiations are in accordance with the ‘one-China’ policy, and at the same time promote Taiwan’s status and sovereignty. Ma’s diplomatic tightrope will continue to be exacerbated by Beijing’s booming economy and rapid military expansion and modernization. Militarily, China has aggressively shed its low profile policy, although declining to give realistic explanations for its rapid modernization, while Taiwan is actively seeking to finalize its purchase of defensive military hardware from the U.S. With Taiwan being pushed into relative diplomatic isolation under former President Chen’s flirt with declaring independence, Beijing has indicated that through the resumption of cross-strait consultations, discussion on Taiwan’s participation in international activities might become a reality sooner rather than later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|