Cross-Straits Relations in the Post-ECFA Period
Prof Liou To-Hai
Monday 22nd August 2011
Liou To-Hai is a Professor of Diplomacy and Director of the Centre for WTO Studies and the Centre for Australian Studies in the College of International Affairs, National Chengchi University, Taipei. His research interests include foreign politics in Northeast Asia as well as international trade and diplomacy across the Asia Pacific more generally. He is the author and co-author of three books, the editor of two journals and has contributed many articles to academic journals. Professor Liou is the recipient of the Endeavour Executive Award 2011 and is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Dialogue, La Trobe University.
The signing of the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in June 2010 has ushered in a new phase of Cross-Straits relations. Even though Cross-Straits economic interactions have been strengthened due to the deregulation of both governments, political relations remain fluid. Professor Liou in this presentation attempts to explore Cross-Straits relations in the post-ECFA period by first highlighting current Cross-Straits economic relations, then analyzing the implications for Taiwan’s new role and its international relations with the Asia-Pacfic and finally by predicting the prospects of Cross-Straits relations in terms of the key variables such as a looming triple crisis for Taiwan’s trade, Taiwan’s 2012 presidential election and China’s leadership change from Hu Jintao to Xi Jin-ping next year.