Cross-Strait relations (simplified Chinese: 海峡两岸关系; traditional Chinese: 海峽兩岸關係; pinyin: Hǎixiá Liǎng'àn guānxì) refers to the relations between mainland China, which sits to the west of the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan, which sits to the east; especially the relations between their respective governments, the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC).
In 1949, with the Chinese Civil War turning decisively in the Communists' (CPC) favour, the ROC government led by the Kuomintang (KMT) retreated to Taipei, in Taiwan, while the CPC proclaimed the PRC government in Beijing.
Since then, the relations between mainland China and Taiwan have been characterised by non-contact and animosity. In the early years, military conflicts continued, while diplomatically both governments competed to be the legitimate government of all China. More recently, the legal and political status of Taiwan have become more controversial, with the expression of Taiwan independence sentiments in Taiwan which were formerly outlawed. At the same time, there has been increasing non-governmental and semi-governmental exchanges between the two sides. From 2008, negotiations began to restore the "three links" (transportation, commerce, and communications) between the two sides, cut off since 1949. Party-to-party talks between the CPC and the KMT have resumed and semi-official negotiations through organizations representing the interests of their respective governments are being scheduled.
The politically correct term "cross-Strait relations" has been adopted by the two sides concerned and many observers so that the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan would not be referred as "China–Taiwan relations" or "PRC–ROC relations". The former term implies the exclusion of Taiwan from China, and is considered non-neutral. The latter term implies the co-existence of the two governments as states, and does not reflect the official positions of either government. There is also no commonly used Chinese language term equivalent to the latter two terms.
Contents |
|
unknown
hu, 04 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GM
On December 4, at the Institute of International . Relations. in Taipei, seven current and former CNAPS Visiting Fellows from around Northeast Asia presented regional views of the evolving . relationship. between Taiwan and China and ...
