Cultivating the cross-Straits generation

This year's election in Taiwan on Jan 14, in which current Kuomintang chairman, Ma Ying-jeou defeated Tsai Ing-wen, the candidate of Democratic Progressive Party, came during a critical period of political and economic changes for the Asia-Pacific region. The ongoing global financial and economic crisis has severely affected the region's major economies, as exports have declined and unemployment is rising rapidly. In addition to the economic uncertainties, Asia-Pacific's regional stability is further complicated by the forthcoming presidential elections in the United States and the Republic of Korea, the leadership transition in China, and, of course, the recent power transition in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea following the death of Kim Jong-il. Therefore, Ma's victory is not only significant for political ties across the Straits, but also for wider regional stability.

Ma will now have to deliver on his election promises, and make the cross-Straits economic and social exchanges beneficial for both Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. During Ma's first term in office, there were landmark deals, such as the opening of direct air and sea links, and the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, which allowed fruit and other products from the island to be exported to the mainland without tariffs. Nevertheless, in order to sustain peace and stability across the Straits, both sides must increase "people-to-people" exchanges at the grassroots level. While both sides have normalized economic relations in the past few years, it is the social ties among people that will contribute to greater cross-Straits dialogue and understanding.

In particular, educational exchanges between young people and students can play an important role in fostering intercultural dialogue, by building people-to-people contacts, enhancing mutual trust, and promoting a regional view and identity. Compared with the systematically developed educational exchange mechanism in the European Union, academic cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan has been limited by policy restraints, despite the interest shown by universities and students from both sides.