U.S. cross-strait policies to remain unchanged

Speaking at a seminar held by the Overseas Press Club of America, Jerome Cohen, a New York University law professor, and Andrew Nathan, a Columbia University professor of political science, both said that Obama will be unlikely to steer away from the existing guidelines of the U.S. government that deal with relations between Taiwan and China after he takes office next January.

Cohen noted that although the Obama camp during the campaign trail touched on U.S.-China relations, especially bilateral trade links, he does not view it as an indicator of an impending shift in America’s cross- strait policies.

Nathan echoed Cohen’s view, adding that U.S. policy toward China since 1967 has called for contact with Beijing, which Nathan said has had fruitful effects over the years.

He added, however, that the U.S. has to make more effort to facilitate China’s democratization.

In terms of cross-strait relations, Cohen said that with four agreements signed earlier this month between negotiators from Taiwan and China, Beijing should show more goodwill toward President Ma Ying-jeou’s efforts to improve cross-strait ties.

He said that if the Chinese government were to withdraw the more than 1,000 missiles it has aimed at Taiwan, it would serve as a true symbol of improvement in relations between the two sides.

Lin Chung-bin, a professor from Taiwan’s Tamkang University, said the most urgent task for the Obama administration will be to solve the U.S. domestic crisis, which he believes China realizes as well.

The four cross-strait pacts reflect Beijing’s recent move away from its previous threatening attitude to a more conciliatory stance, showing China has employed a more “soft power” strategy concerning the Taiwan issue.

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