| Summary: | 碩士 === 淡江大學 === 國際事務與戰略研究所碩士在職專班 === 94 === On 20 May 1949, Chiang Kai-shek''s Kuomintang (KMT) proclaimed martial law in Taiwan throughout 38 years until 1987, which is the longest in the modern history. The National Assembly elected Lee Teng-hui as the ROC president on March 21, 1990. Since then embarked a series of reformative efforts including the popularization of direct election of public servants and constitutional amendments. The first direct election of the country’s president in 1996 was a carryout of people’s will, and one of the most important political developments in the history of Taiwan’s democratization as it led the country’s democratic politics into a new phase.
As the democratization posed influence on cross-strait relations, options for future cross-strait situation other than unification emerged in Taiwan, and which option ensures the interest of Taiwan awaits further exploration. This dissertation explores the US-Sino-Taiwan trilateral interplay regarding issues of referendum and constitution during the 11th presidential election in Taiwan. Being rife with political slogans and movements, Taiwan has long been deemed as the unreliable factor in the trilateral relations. The unreliability has caused Washington to worry about being drawn into cross-strait wars and forced it to adopt a tougher stance on Taiwan. On the other hand, the rising of Beijing’s power in various dimensions helped the government boost its confidence in solving the Taiwan problem. On November 14, 2000, Chinese President Hu Jintao said while meeting overseas Chinese in Brazil that “For China to grow stronger and Chinese people to regain prosperity, first we need development and then unification.” Hu’s remarks contradict with Beijing’s previous eagerness for a quick unification, and illustrate its shifting the focus to develop itself while solving the Taiwan problem through development. At the same time, Beijing also comes to understand that “the closest path to Taipei is through Washington.”
Currently, the most diplomatic work for Taiwan is the repair of US-Taiwan relations. Seeking our mutual interests with the US demands immediate attention. In the meantime, Taiwan should reflect on future cross-strait relations. To ensure the biggest national interest for Taiwan under the democratic system, Taiwan’s cross-strait policy needs to address the implementation of a peaceful and stable framework for cross-strait interaction and normalization of cross-strait relations.
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