US backs warm cross-Straits ties

Measured on almost any scale of political affairs, the amazing rapprochement between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan must rank as one of the most significant events of the early 21st century. As Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan's leader, observed, ties between Beijing and Taipei have reached "a historic juncture". Ma said: "If we can contribute to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, the accomplishments would be historic."

The warming relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan appear to have caught some by surprise. And one cannot help but wonder how Americans feel about it. After all, as Deng Xiaoping observed during the 1980s, the US "has been involved all along" in the Taiwan issue.

Does America support cross-Straits rapprochement or oppose it? It appears that opinions on this important issue differ.