China and Taiwan made economic history Tuesday with a bold agreement that allows planes and ships to travel directly across the Taiwan Strait — the place where many have feared they would fight their next battle.
Still the Asian rivals appear far from resolving the root causes of nearly six decades of hostilities and distrust. The pact was possible because negotiators set aside thorny political disputes and only focused on trade and economics.
The new deal allows passenger flights directly across the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait that separates Taiwan from mainland China. In the past, planes had to fly into Hong Kong airspace while traveling between the two sides. Cargo ships, which used to have to stop at the Japanese island of Okinawa northeast of Taiwan, will be allowed to sail directly to the other side and cut hundreds of miles out of each trip.
Once Taiwanese radar operators get used to this traffic, it will dull their respone to an upsurge in traffic that may represent the first wave of invaders.
And the civilian ships and planes will be able to land in Taiwanes airports and ports loaded with troops to gain the element of surprise and seize bridgeheads on Taiwan before the Taiwanese or us even realize a shooting war has started.
A freely elected Taiwanese government is voluntarily opening their fragile democracy to conquest by China. And many Taiwanese don't seem to mind:
But Alexander Huang, a political science professor at Taipei's Tamkang University, doubted the economic agreements will lead to Taiwan being absorbed by its massive neighbor.
"Taiwanese have enjoyed their democracy and don't want to have officials appointed by the mainland," said Huang, who also thought the pact would help decrease the threat of a war.
Huang added the agreement shows China is eager to win the hearts and minds of Taiwanese. Beijing, which refused to talk to Chen's government for eight years, also doesn't want Taiwan to drift further toward permanent independence.
Friggin' amazing. Enjoying your democracy is way different than defending your democracy. Hearts and minds? China will grab Taiwan by the balls and squeeze, and their hearts and minds will follow.
