21. "One China" and Relations Across the Taiwan Strait
- Author:
- James J. Przystup, Ronald N. Montaperto, and Gerald W. Faber
- Publication Date:
- 09-2000
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- Relations across the Taiwan Strait have reached an apparent impasse. Both China and Taiwan have, in a sense, painted themselves into corners. Yet, aware of the considerable costs that will inevitably be incurred by new and higher levels of tension or conflict, both President Jiang Zemin of China and Chen Shui-bian, the newly elected President of Taiwan, share a vital interest in finding a face-saving way out of their respective dilemmas without compromising their longer term objectives. In the process, each is being influenced and constrained by a number of factors related to politics, economics, and broad strategic interests. Overall, these factors will provide incentives to seek a reduction of tensions, at least in the short term. At the same time, years of mutual mistrust and the stark and growing differences between their respective political and social cultures will continue to affect the prospects for a mutually acceptable resolution of the issues separating China and Taiwan.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, and Government
- Political Geography:
- China, Europe, and Taiwan