China-Taiwan Relations in a Global Context

This book traces the development of Taiwan's relations with its diplomatic partners and its policy towards the political opponents of its political opponent - mainland China. Paying particular attention to the powers that could exercise great influence in the future of East Asia, China-Taiwan Relations in a Global Context examines the main diplomatic strategies of Taiwan and its counterparts and the major problems for Taiwanese foreign relations. To date there is very little scholarship which examines the 'Taiwan Issue' outside of the triangular Beijing-Washington-Taipei framework, this book does exactly that. The contributors examine the development of Taiwan's relationship with less prominent countries and governments, and attempt to ascertain how such examinations could give rise to new variables that help explain the strategy and purpose of Taiwan's foreign policy, as well as the reaction and response of mainland China. This book provides readers with vital information about Taiwan's foreign policymaking and introduces rarely told stories about Taiwan's foreign relations. The research demonstrates the ceaseless and unyielding diplomatic efforts of the Taiwanese for survival in a shrunken international space and renders for readers a better understanding of the complexity of Taiwan's relations with the rest of the world. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Taiwan studies, Chinese politics, Cross-Strait relations and Asian foreign policy.

George Wei is Professor and Chair of the Department of History at the University of Macau.

Introduction C.X. George Wei 1. Ryukyu and Taiwan on the East Asian Seas Man-houng LIN 2. China's National Representation and the Taiwan Question in the Olympic Movement: The Case of Taiwan and Beijing's Participation in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games XU Guoqi 3. The Issues and Image of Chiang Kai-shek and Taiwan in the U.S. Congress: The Role of China Lobbyist GAO Yanli 4. The Definition and Maintenance of U.S. Interests in Taiwan after World War II LIN Zhen 5. Several Key Issues Related to Taiwan in the Sino-Japanese Relationship CHEN Fenglin 6. Recent Taiwan-Japan Relations: The Interactions, Trends and Perspectives C.X. George Wei & CHEN Wenshou 7. "Separating Politics from Economy": Contemporary Taiwan-South Korea Relations CHEN Wenshou & C.X. George Wei 8. Russia and Cross-Taiwan Strait Relations Shaohua HU 9. The "Taiwan Issue" and Taiwan Element in the Sino-Russian Relations: An Explanation Based on Russian References ZHANG Jianhua 10. Taiwan's Relations and Interactions with the Central Tibetan Administration in Exile SU Chia-hung & C.X. George Wei 11. Interactions between Taiwan and the Philippines since 1986 ZHANG Xudong & Zhang Xubao 12. The Road to Cooperation between Beijing and Taipei on the South China Sea Issue ZHANG Mingliang