Taiwan's Socio-Economic Relations with Mainland China

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 – cross-Strait education policy, cross-Strait marriages and marital migration, business and the role of informal institutions, especially the Taiwanese Businessmen’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.