Political Considerations I

Abstract

As we look to the twenty-first century, which many say will be the Pacific Century, a potential trouble spot is the delicate situation across the Taiwan Strait. The uneasy peace that has prevailed in more recent years was at times marred by minor incidents such as shellings between frontline outposts, latent threats posed by swarming mainland fishing vessels that occasionally pressed uncomfortably close to the shores of Taiwan proper, and similar events. Since September 1987, when Taiwan's government began a series of measures lifting the ban on civilian travel to the Chinese mainland, the relationship between the two seems, however, to have entered a new era. A lot of changes have undoubtedly taken place, and further widening of unofficial contacts is expected by many on both sides. Speculation is rife as to where all these developments will lead. A durable peace in the area depends on whether the two sides are going to work out an eventual settlement on the question of national reunification and, if so, in what manner they are going to achieve it.