Beijing’s Unification Strategy toward Taiwan and Cross-Strait Relations

Abstract

For almost a decade, Beijing has pursued a “soft” approach toward Taiwan, cultivatingeconomic ties and political exchanges in its pursuit of reunification. Followingthe end of President Chen Shui-bian’s term in office, which was marked by constanttensions and several crises with China, Beijing has colluded with his successor,Ma Ying-jeou to pursue a policy of economic integration with the mainland. Beijing’sstrategy toward Taiwan under Chairman Xi Jinping and his predecessor Hu Jintaohas yielded positive results. The approach not only avoids possible military conflictwith the United States, but receives support from Washington. Beijing’s economicmeans, such as the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), haveenhanced Taiwan’s economic integration with China and greatly increased thePRC’s control over Taiwan’s economy and society, helping to lock Taiwan into themainland’s orbit. Likewise, Beijing has developed tools that allow it to intervenedirectly in Taiwanese domestic politics. However, efforts to use ties with PresidentMa to bring Taiwan farther into the PRC orbit have backfired, resulting in aweakened presidency that cannot deliver Beijing’s goals. Thus, Beijing appears tobe looking ahead to the next two elections, trying to make as much progress aspossible before Ma leaves office, while simultaneously trying to establish tieswith possible successors and the opposition DPP. In 2012, Beijing’s interventionassisted the reelection of President Ma. It is sure to try again in Taipei’s mayoralelection in 2014 and the presidential/parliamentary elections in 2016.