|
Political scientist Alexander Huang of Taipei's Tamkang University said Beijing appears to appreciate the political constraints under which Ma is operating. "I suspect that China will not push Ma too hard during the coming four years," Huang said. "It has an increasingly good understanding of Taiwanese politics, and understands the pressures that Ma is facing." Another reason to expect a moderate Taiwan policy from Beijing, Huang said, is China's preoccupation with its own problems. Its once overheated economy has cooled abruptly, and political troubles seem to be cascading in the wake of unspecified allegations of malfeasance against one-time Communist Party high-flyer Bo Xilai. "I just don't think it's wise for China to take on a big issue like Taiwan at this juncture," Huang said. Political scientist George Tsai of Taipei's Chinese Culture University said Beijing will have to determine if it wants to take advantage of Ma's weakened political standing at home, which has come to the fore in recent weeks following a series of conspicuous missteps on economic policy. "They can either take advantage of his position, or they can decide to not apply pressure on him," Tsai said. Chen said she expected that China would hold off on pressing Ma during the next year or two, but could change its tune after that, even at the risk of reinvigorating Ma's political opponents. "After the dust settles China will put more pressure on Taiwan," she said. "China will try to extract concessions from Ma that could put his own party in a difficult position in future election campaigns."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor