A Blue or Green Future for Cross-Strait Relations?

Issue & Policy Briefs October 5, 2011, No. 77

On January 14, 2012, the Taiwanese people will cast their votes in both legislative and presidential elections, choosing between a continuation of President Ma’s policy of rapprochement towards Beijing or a more “Beijing skeptic” approach as outlined by the opposition
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Tsai Ing-wen. Despite the DPP’s attempt to stir the focus of the election debate away from the cross-Strait relations to social issues and judiciary reform, this debate continues to dominate Taiwanese politics. What are the implications of the current campaign for cross-Strait relations? What are the changes that can be expected after the elections?

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