President Chen Shui-Bian’s Mainland China Policy:

Normalizing or Electioneering the Cross-Strait Impasse?

Vincent Wei-cheng Wang

Abstract

This paper examines the main elements of the Chen Shui-bian Administration's cross-strait policy (in contrast to that of the preceding Lee Teng-hui Administration), analyzes the key domestic and international factors that shape the policy, and provides a preliminary assessment of the administration’s cross-strait policy.

It finds that Chen’s cross-strait policy exemplifies Taiwan's “economic security” approach to national security. However, constrained by various factors, including the PRC's insistence on a “one China” precondition for cross-strait talks and Chen’s electoral considerations, the policy has hitherto succeeded more in reducing tensions and maintaining the status quo than in reaching a modus vivendi with the mainland.

Keywords: Chen shui-Bian, Cross-Strait Policy, Taiwan independence, Taiwan presidential election