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PacNet #24 – If Not Now, When? Will China Seize the Opportunity to Improve Cross-Strait Relations?

Of the combinations of outcomes of the Taiwan election – a DPP or KMT victory, the passage or defeat of one or both of the referenda – the March 22 result in which Ma Ying-jeou won by a substantial margin and both referenda failed was the result that Beijing hoped for. The new situation presents a historic and strategic opportunity for China to transform cross-Strait relations. The United States hopes that Beijing will respond positively to the new situation and without delay.