Taiwan's Socio-Economic Relations with Mainland China: The Policy Impact of Non-State Actors

Most studies of Taiwan-mainland China relations have focused on government policies and international strategic issues. As this book shows, however, an increasingly important factor driving Taiwan-mainland China relations is the role of non-state actors. The book examines four areas of interaction #xE2;#xAC;#x1C; cross-Strait education policy, cross-Strait marriages and marital migration, business and the role of informal institutions, especially the Taiwanese Businessmen#xE2;#xAC;"s Association, in supporting trade, and the role of entrepreneurs as the initiators and drivers of official Taiwanese policy. The book shows how very considerable the links are all areas; how links do not always lead to formal integrative policies, as with the failure of the campaign for the recognition of mainland China degrees in Taiwan; but how, especially with business and trade, the links between Taiwan and mainland China are strong and growing.