The Paradoxes in Taiwan`s `Two-Level Game` Concerning Cross-Strait Relations

Abstract

The article presents an examination into cross-Strait relations between Taiwan and China as of 2012, focusing on the paradoxes seen in the overlap shared between domestic and foreign policies of Taiwan. Four paradoxes are named, including the difficulties created by Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1995, internal polarization in Taiwanese politics regarding nationalism, Taiwanese economic dependency on Chinese trade and investment, and rapprochement since 2008. Each of these four issues are discussed in turn, citing how each shows both promise for continued relations and continuing difficulties between the two nations.