The Research On EU's Policies To Taiwan In The Era Of Post-Cold War

The Research on EU's policies to Taiwan in the Era of Post-Cold WarAfter the Cold War, in the pursuit of economic interests the European Union gradually formed a relatively clear policy towards Taiwan. Europe and Taiwan relations in the arms sales, trade and other fields have achieved a breakthrough to some degree. At the same time the political relations between Europe and Taiwan are also warming up. This trend merits China's attention as it is committed to achieving national reunification and territorial integrity. Thus, the paper analyzes the EU's political, economic, military and cultural policies towards Taiwan after the Cold War, and the factors that affect the development of relations between Europe and Taiwan. And on this basis, this paper also seeks to depict the possible future direction of development relations between Europe and Taiwan, so as to provide a clearer picture of the international situation surrounding the Taiwan Issue.Besides introduction and conclusion, this thesis is composed of five parts in terms of structural design. The thesis's main body is composed of five parts.The first part concerns process of development of EU's policy to Taiwan. Reviewing the change of EU's policy to Taiwan after the Cold War, we reach the conclusion that the policy was established based on the consideration of the economic benefit, under the effect of international pattern and in view of the criterion of "One China". But, the political relation between EU and Taiwan begin to loose with the guarantee of EU's economic benefit. In according to the rule, the political relation between the two areas began to improve gradually and step on a way of "pragmatic diplomacy".The second part is to present EU's economic policy to Taiwan. During the intercourse of the two areas, the economy and trade partnership has consistently played an significant role. The practical purpose of EU's partnership to Taiwan is to make any policies to maximize the economic interest. In essence, partnership with Taiwan only serve to drive up European economic interest by working out various policies. The economic policy of EU to Taiwan is shown in three aspect:set up economic and trade offices to expand the economic and trade collaboration between the two parts; expand the function of annual counsel and meeting; improve investment environment and encourage Taiwan's investment in Europe. These economic policies extraordinarily stimulate the cooperation between the two parts, meanwhile, to smoothly develop and continually deepen the economic and trade partnership between the two parties, EU has set up a variety of economy organizations in Taiwan and consistently elevated their functions so that they take on political functions, resulting in a tendency of politicalization in this relationship, which became another instability factor with respect to China's solution to Taiwan problem.The third part states the EU's unobtrusive Intervention in Taiwan security issues. Compared with the U.S. and Japan, Taiwan is not the EU's primary concern in foreign strategy. This fact is coupled with the EU's lack of mechanism to meddle in Taiwan security issues. However, with economic interest in Taiwan and China mainland at stake, the European Union will maintain peace between China and Taiwan. Therefore the EU balances the military might between them by selling arms to Taiwan and imposing weapon embargo on mainland. It also insists peaceful approach to Taiwan Issue by establishing constructive ties across the Taiwan Strait. All these are aimed to reap the maximum profit.The fourth part centers around cultural policy toward Taiwan. Since the notion of democracy and human rights prevail and takes its root in the European world, the EU members try to spread their own standards regarding human rights across the world. As for Taiwan issue, on the one hand, the EU identifies itself with Taiwan in the outlook of democracy; on the other hand, it wants to interfere in cross-strait affairs in the name of promoting human rights and democracy. This practice which gives a blind eye to differences in culture, national situation and political system is in nature, "unobtrusive or invisible interference in Taiwan issue"The fifth part touches upon factors shaping ties between The EU and Taiwan and its prospect. The relation between The EU and Taiwan is not a simple bilateral ties but a link in the international network. In fact, the evolvement of their relation is a dramatic play starred by the EU, China and Taiwan. As China and the EU set up a comprehensive strategic partnership, they will be more closely related. The intimacy between them will weaken the ties between the EU and Taiwan. Especially when china's market holds irresistible appeal to the EU and they increasingly rely on China's sway on international agenda, the EU will not further strengthen its relation with Taiwan. The final section summarized the above analysis and discussion, so as to reach tentative conclusions on EU's policies to Taiwan in the Era of Post-Cold War.