This week marks the second anniversary of Ma Ying-jeou’s victory in the 2008 Taiwanese presidential election. In the period since Ma’s inauguration relations between Taiwan and China have improved markedly. There are clear signs that the two parties are taking small but vital steps towards a sustained peace. This Policy Analysis considers these steps and...

The competition for diplomatic recognition between China and Taiwan is destabilising Island states in the South Pacific, making Pacific politics more corrupt and violent. The Solomon Islands provides the clearest evidence of what happens when an island state becomes a battleground in this contest. Australia is in the front line in the South Pacific. Australia...

Taiwan's first referendum: democratic milestone or diplomatic millstone?

John Mathews argues that in the Asia-Pacific region, some outstanding successes have been registered in advanced technological fields. The case of Taiwan, which has risen to become the world's third largest producer of IT hardware and fourth largest producer of semiconductors, is striking. Singapore too has grown from a poverty stricken former colony to a...