Taiwan

China and Taiwan Make Economic History

China and Taiwan have recently signed an agreement that will allow planes and ships to travel directly across the Taiwan Strait. Passenger flights will be able to travel across the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait that separates Taiwan from mainland China. The agreement also includes the establishment of shipping services and postal links as well as “the creation of a mechanism for food safety cooperation.” Several scholars have noted that this agreement will help to bring security in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Lin Cheng-yi, a research fellow of Academic Sinica, the agreement will help to lessen tensions across the Taiwan Strait, but will “serve a very delicate balance between Taiwan-China and Taiwan-U.S. relations.”

The agreement between China and Taiwan illustrates an effort by both states to set aside political issues in order to work on improving economic links that will benefit both states. In addition, Taiwan and China are clearly showing signs of diplomatic relations by agreeing to hold talks every six months, which will result in both China and Taiwan having a better chance to reciprocate by interacting more frequently. China and Taiwan are demonstrating interdependence through their interaction and cooperation with one another. Habits of cooperation may help to soften political tensions that have proven to be an issue since Taiwan separated from the mainland at the end of the civil war in 1949. While some fear that closer ties with China will sacrifice Taiwan’s sovereignty by making Taiwan become more dependent on China, the economic deal seems to be promoting future relations between Taiwan and China that will bring future cooperation between both states. The agreement is an important step in developing future negotiations and will help to bring security in the Asia Pacific region.

Liberal

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=779479

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/04/china

November 5, 2008 at 2:16 pm