Shifting norms in cross-strait relations

Originally posted at http://interuwcmag.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/shifting-norms-in-cross-strait-relations/

Paul Lau Chun Man (Hong Kong, UWC AC 2010-2012)

The most remarkable thing about the presidential and parliamentary elections that Taiwan held on January 14th 2012 may well be the simple fact that they were unremarkable. Unlike previous elections, there were no last-minute attacks, no shots fired, no Chinese missiles, no obvious US meddling, no critical Chinese coverage, indeed, coverage of the elections weren’t even censored by Chinese media. Current president, Ma Ying-jeou, was successfully re-election to a second and final term with 52% of the vote. Opposition candidate, Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party, came in with nearly 46% of the vote.