China and Taiwan Report Small Steps in Easing Tensions

I.
China and Taiwan Report Small Steps in Easing Tensions
By KEITH BRADSHER
Published: April 14, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/world/asia/14taiwan.html?ref=asia


II. Summary:

This week, Chinese and Taiwanese offices held meetings in Southern China regarding improving economic relationships and ties between the mainland and the Taiwan Straight. Taiwan however is stressing the Taiwanese leaders and government officials not to give in too quickly to the mainland’s domestic pressures. Peace talks and conferences have been held and hopefully the two countries can resolve and keep tensions to a low. Although both sides want to keep the peace, Taiwan wants the Chinese officials to realize that they are their own government and China on the other hand, continues to restrict the independence the Taiwanese government receives; they state the importance of maintaining the unity of China. Taiwanese leaders are proceeding with caution while reconnecting with China because they know their government wants control over the Taiwan Straight. Many organizations and leaders alike though have pushed the relationship because they desire greater economic ties with China to boast their economy. Still, peace talks continue in hopes for a stabile relationship between the countries.

III. Reaction:

A) This article pertains to the AP World History theme of state-building, expansion, and conflict because the Chinese government wants the area of the Taiwan straight, whereas Taiwan is seeking political freedom and independence from the mainland. This causes conflict because both sides want different things, while still wanting to keep the peace and keep tensions at a low.
B) In the past, China had always and still wants total political control over Taiwan and their government. Taiwan, of course, is yearning for freedom from China, yet keep the peace. Obviously this is a difficult task because both officials want different things from each other. This issue has dominated the region for decades and is slowly attempting to be resolved.
C) The author of this article is Keith Bradsher, an American-born journalist working for the New York Times in China covering Asia politics, economy, business, community, etc. He is an insider to these events because although he is an American he lives and works in China reporting on issues occurring in the country he lives in.
D) In this article, Bradsher seems to just merely report on the issue, although he is living in China he does not necessarily swing a specific way regarding the issue at hand. He respected the points of view from both sides of the issue remaining neutral.
E) To receive a fuller understanding of this issue, it probably would be helpful to hear from a Taiwanese citizen to receive information pertaining to their responses to the closer economic ties with China, seeing how it would directly affect them and their society. I would like to know if the citizens of Taiwan are in favor of keeping the peace in order to gain more economic help, or if they don’t want to get close with China in fear they would control their government.
F) I liked this article because it really gives you insight to the issue of the Taiwanese and Chinese relationship and how it is attempting to be resolved by government leaders. I personally believe that the two countries should remain having a mutual relationship with some economic support from the mainland, however keep distant from the mainland in threat of China wanting to control the region under one rule. I believe that in order for Taiwan to gain independence they need to have a decent relationship for compromises and security, while staying some what distant at the same time.


by alea connolly!