Taiwan’s Secession Against Two Hosts: the Xi-Ma Summit and its Implications for Future Cross-Strait Relations

Abstract

Taiwan commands the world’s attention because of the geopolitics that enables the island to play a role bigger than its size. Democracy and secessionist movements that came hand in hand since the 1980s in Taiwan have further complicated matters, leading to a level of chaos and decline of competitiveness in Taiwan’s once-vibrant economy. Cross-Strait relations have greatly improved but the situation remains an “unstable peace,” to use the terminology of the Lund Curve, because of the existence of an independence-leaning coalition and its constituents.

Although considerable trade and tourism have linked the two sides and direct negotiations have produced 23 agreements, political and security ties remain sensitive. China’s chief goal remains national reunification, while the majority of Taiwanese voters tend to favor the status quo. This paper discusses a unique two-host phenomenon in Taiwan’s secessionist movement, nonexistent in other similar movements. It traces President Ma Ying-jeou’s approach to cross-Strait relations, explaining reasons that led to Ma’s unprecedented summit with his counterpart Xi Jinping. Without understanding the concept of the two hosts, it would be impossible to make sense of the extraordinary reconciliation, epitomized in the Xi-Ma handshake.