ABSTRACT
Mainland China is today one of the most important players in Asian as well as in international politics, security and trade. This chapter describes that the activities of some Taiwanese civil society organizations (TCSOs) bring, instead of constructive moments, tensions into cross-strait relations, as well as into Taiwanese domestic debate about relations with Mainland China. To deeper analyze the role TCSOs may play in cross-strait relations, two ideal, dichotomous roles were set up—the role of peace and confidence builder, and the role of peace spoiler and conflict booster. The good CSOs in their true sense are connected to a democratic way of life based on freedom of speech and association and most of them can hardly agree with and accept the non-democratic environment and various human rights abuses. TCSOs are the product of democratizing life on the island and they are fostered by changing values of Taiwanese society.
