On 12 April 2016, some 230 participants attended the China Insights Series 2016 jointly organised by Business China and NTU’s Nanyang Centre for Public Administration.
Two distinguished speakers, Professor Liu Guoshen, Director of Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University and Professor Chu Yun-han, Professor of Political Science at National Taiwan University, shared their views on “The Prospect of Cross-Straits Relations after ‘5.20’”.
Professor Liu started off the session by sharing with the audience his analysis on the landslide victory for Tsai Ing-wen in Taiwan’s presidential race. He argued the reasons behind the ruling Kuomintang’s losses in the presidential and legislative elections, and the difficulties of Democratic Progressive Party, of which Tsai Ing-wen heads, in securing the majority in the legislature in the long term. He finally concluded that, in order to favour a peaceful development of cross-straits relations, Tsai Ing-wen should respect the “1992 consensus”.
Extrapolating on the same note, Professor Chu Yun-han spoke at length on the challenges faced by the new government. He explained that the development of cross-straits relations is divided into three stages. In short term (of 5 years), turbulence is unavoidable and in mid-term (of 5 to 10 years), there might be a chance of breakthrough or confrontation. In the long term (of 10 years and above), Prof Chu concluded that Taiwan’s new government might be forced to face the political negotiation.
During the Q&A session moderated by Professor Liu Hong, Chair of School of Humanities and Social Sciences at NTU, the floor was abuzzed with questions from Business China’s guests and members, as well as Nanyang Centre for Public Administration’s representatives, Junior College students and members of the public.
The lecture ended with a presentation of tokens of appreciation to the speakers and moderator by CEO of Business China, Ms Sun Xueling.
The China Insights Lecture Series invites academics and industry experts from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore to offer valuable perspectives on issues that impact China and the world. Invited speakers will cover topics of their expertise ranging from social and cultural, business and economics, science and technology, as well as politics and international relations; areas that will deepen participants knowledge and understanding of China.