61st Anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of 58
BRIDGING by Maria João Belchior in Beijing
signed in June. The Economic Cooperation Frame-
I
work Agreement cut the tariffs on 539 Taiwanese products and 267 mainland- produced goods. The agreement has been hailed as a
big step towards closer ties and stronger fi nancial dealings
Strait. It was a watershed by any meas- ure. Economic realities are pulling the es- tranged neighbours in the same direction.
Banking on it The rapprochement policy adopted by Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou upon his election in 2008 has no name but the
BYWORD FOR THE FUTURE IS ‘TRUST’ M
aintaining the status quo was once the mantra from Taiwanese offi cials when the subject of relations with
the mainland were brought up. The provocative attitude of former President Chen
Shui-bian prompted Beijing to respond in kind, sending Taipei a strong message in 2005 when it passed the Anti- Secession Law. It formally announced Beijing would consider using “non-peaceful means” against Taipei if it declared independence. For younger mainlanders, the idea of reunifi cation has
been a constant and unquestionable prerogative. Alternatives are not up for debate. In Taiwan, the issue pits two broad ideological approaches against each other; independence
OCTOBER 2010
and reunifi cation. Reunifi cation is off the agenda at high-level meetings
between the two governments. The approach is based on small steps aimed at deepening economic bilateral ties ahead of easing political relations. Within Taipei’s parliament, the opposition fears that
policy may leave Taiwan economically dependent on its giant neighbour and without the clout to bargain on political matters. They have warned that the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement enacted last month could make that a reality. The pact is expected to create more than 200,000 jobs
and boost the island’s economic growth by 1.7 percent. Clearly not everybody is a fan.
across the Taiwan
t was historic. Last month, the mainland cut tariffs on more than 500 products imported from Tai- wan. It was the fi rst tangible ben- efi t of a hard-won trade agreement
CHINA
THE STRAITS
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