Lee Teng-Hui's 1999 statement that there is "one State on each side of the strait" established a new starting point that makes difficult the achievement of a rosy future for the island of Taiwan. In March 2004, as elections for renewing their leadership were taking place, the Taiwanese were confronted with security and political problems that were influenced by powerful external forces, which intensified the prevailing uncertainty. It seems difficult to believe that the authorities in Taipei possess the skill and the art for practicing the requisite ambiguity for maintaining the status quo on the island.
Taiwan; China; Foreign Policy