Introduction

In 2005, the People's Republic of China passed an anti-secession law which legally formalized Mainland China's policy towards Taiwan, mandating the use of force if the latter formally declares independence. In January 2007, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the People's Republic of China's State Council said that 2007 is a crucial period for opposing “Taiwan independence” and safeguarding peace across the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese government meanwhile has repeatedly pointed to the People Liberation Army's continuous buildup and modernization as a growing threat to the island's security as well as the democratic values it represents.

The issue of cross-Strait relations has been further complicated by a difference of opinion among the Taiwanese political factions - between those who advocate Cross-Strait reconciliation and those who lean towards independence. It is clear that unilateral action by either party to change the status quo is one of the most worrying issues facing the Taiwan Strait today. This workshop seeks to discuss the security situation in the Taiwan Strait through the lens of conflict prevention and management. Special emphasis will be put on the possible role and impact of confidence building measures (CBM:s).

Aim and Purpose

This workshop addresses the relationship between Mainland China and Taiwan from a conflict management and conflict prevention perspective. The workshop combines a theoretical and policy outlook with a strong focus on the development of new methods for conflict prevention and management as well as confidence building. More specifically, the aim is to identify methods, models and strategies for improving the relationship between the two parties. This will be achieved by the sharing of ideas and experience between leading academics, policy makers and high ranking military personnel.

The workshop will be organized into five sessions, addressing both areas of ongoing cooperation, as well as contentious issues that strain the current relationship between Mainland China and Taiwan. The presentations in the different sessions will serve to identify new ways in which ongoing cooperation can be extended and transferred, and also how existing challenges can be confronted and, hopefully, transcended. The five sessions will be organized thematically as follows:

- Introduction to Conflict Management and Negotiation
- Confidence-Building Measures
- Interests and Values
- Impact of Conflict Management – The Diplomatic and Military Perspective
- Breaking Stalemate

For an overview of an introduction to conflict prevention and management in Northeast Asia, please consult our previous publications. In this regards, the Program´s concept paper, discussing and integrating different approaches to conflict prevention, management and resolution, may be of particular interest. (click here (pdf))

Any queries can be directed to the conference organizer: Dr. Niklas Swanström or the conference coordinator Mr. Tomas Nordberg (tnordberg /at/ silkroadstudies.org).