Taiwan’s newly-elected President, Ma Ying-jeou, wants to improve relations with China. This seems to be a drastic change from previous Presidents wherein they wanted to establish Taiwan as a separate state from China. He won by a landslide, 58% to 42% of his rival Frank Hsieh of the Democratic Party.
He proposes the following:
- Launch direct transportation links with the mainland
- Lift restrictions on Taiwan businessmen to operate in China
- Open Taiwan to Chinese tourists and investors
Will this mean that China bites the lure? The business sector hopes that the new President’s policies will entice the Mainland to help boost the economy.