ABSTRACT
Since May 2008 the Ma Ying-jeou government in Taiwan has successfully
reduced tension with Beijing and ushered in a new era of bilateral cooperation in
a wide range of areas. Ma has pursued an accommodation strategy, seeking to
minimize conflicts with the mainland. This strategy is best represented by Ma’s
commitment to the one-China principle to assure Beijing that Taiwan has no
intention to pursue de jure independence.1 However, notwithstanding historical changes that have taken place at the
Taiwan Strait, the profound political difference between the two sides cannot be
brushed aside as inconsequential. In fact, deep and structurally embedded differ-
ences over their long-term political relationship will continue to generate con-
flicts between Taipei and Beijing. Fundamentally, the differences center on a
political resolution of cross-Strait relations. While China’s rise will heighten its
aspirations for unification, Taiwan will aspire to maintain its political autonomy.
Indeed, in the second half of 2009 Beijing and Taipei saw their relationship
