Over the past year, the Taiwan Strait and cross-Strait relations in general have been fairly quiet. Regular flights have resumed between the mainland and Taiwan, and with the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, steps have been taken to promote better economic integration. As 2012 approaches, both Taiwan and the United States face presidential elections, and China will hold the 18th National Party Congress, where President Hu Jintao will step down from his position as general secretary. In the face of possible leadership and policy changes, many questions exist about the future state of U.S.-Taiwan-China relations.
Although the last three years have seen close cross-strait interaction and cooperation bring peace and stability to the Taiwan Strait, there are still many difficult challenges that need to be faced.
Upcoming elections and power transitions in Taipei, Beijing, and Washington, coupled with looming uncertainty in economic and political ties, pose potential challenges to cross-strait relations.
Fears of abandonment by the United States are growing in Taiwan, although U.S. scholars doubt the validity of these concerns.
Beijing faces many domestic challenges, ranging from inflation to nationalism to popular unrest. Such issues are likely to take precedence over cross-strait relations in the minds of Mainland China's leaders.
The cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement is a step forward in regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific.
U.S. interests are best served by maintaining the status quo policy toward Taiwan. Washington cannot accommodate Beijing's demands to stop selling arms to Taipei as long as China continues its military buildup opposite Taiwan's shores.
The Syrian opposition will fail to bring about change unless it develops a clear transition plan and a credible political strategy for winning over key sectors in Syria.
The Strategic and Economic Dialogue, scheduled to be held in May 2012, will mark the first formal U.S.-China bilateral dialogue since the United States announced its strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region last year.
Relations between Ukraine and the EU have reached their lowest point yet. It could be time for the EU to come up with a new plan.
Putin’s surprising decision to skip the G8 summit means that he is putting the stability of his power structure above his diplomatic engagements abroad.
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