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STRATFOR.com
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Taiwan's Government, Business Class Divided Over China
November day, 2002
Summary
There is a growing disconnect in Taiwan between the business community and the government, particularly over relations with China. This is weakening Taipei's ability to formulate and execute foreign policy, and is providing a clear opportunity for mainland China to exploit. But at the same time it lessens the urgency in Beijing to pursue a military course for reunification with Taiwan.
Analysis
Taiwan's China policy has become a source of growing tensions between the island nation's government and the business community. From Taipei's point of view, China remains an ever-present threat, not only to the country's security but also -- more personally -- to the power of individual government officials.
However, at the same time the business community is increasingly seeing China not as a competitor or a threat, but as a strategic opportunity that must be exploited if Taiwanese companies are to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
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(Story Source)
© 2002 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Taiwan's Government, Business Class Divided Over China . . .