Want China Times
Editorial
Date: 2015-08-21

Following the student-led Sunflower Movement last year that made cross-strait economic

James Soong shakes hands with supporters in Pingtung, southern Taiwan, Aug. 9. (Photo/CNA)

and trade issues too hot to touch for the government, Taiwan has seen a decline in its exports to China and negative growth in Chinese visitor arrivals for the first time ever in the second quarter of the year.

These figures could be the result of Taiwan’s economic slowdown and are not necessarily related to the current stalemate in cross-strait relations. It is undeniable, however, that Taiwan is losing the momentum of advancing cross-strait economic and trade ties with China, a problem pointed out by People First Party (PFP) chair James Soong when he announced his candidacy for the 2016 presidential election in recent days.

Since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008, cross-strait relations have improved markedly and the further development of ties and increasing economic integration is an irreversible trend regardless of which political party takes power in Taiwan.     [FULL  STORY]