Inherited Rivalry

The relationship between the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland has undergone significant changes since the late 1980s. Essentially, both sides have moved from three decades of military confrontation to more conciliatory interaction. The Beijing regime has shifted from an uncompromising one-China policy to a slightly more accommodating policy of one China with two socioeconomic systems. The Beijing regime has also suspended, but not renounced, the use of force or the war of nerves in the Taiwan Straits. On the Taiwan side, following the political decontrol initiated by the late President Chiang Ching-kuo and accelerated by President Lee Teng-hui, the Kuomintang (KMT) leadership began to permit family/tourist visits and cultural exchange and indirect trade with -- and even some direct investment in -- the mainland. - Publisher.