Taiwan: A new window to the World

The landmark skyscraper 'Taipei 101' has been for a long time the highest building in the world, dominating the skyline of Taipei, the capital of the Republic of China (Taiwan) until it was surpassed in height by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai on October 1, 2009. May be this surpassing of the '101' is symbolic for the slow down of the economical growth of the island. The global financial crisis is not the only reason for it.

Forced by stagnating World Trade Organisation negotiations about multilateral global free trade (the so called 'Doha-round'), more and more countries sign bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTA's). Mainland China (People's Republic of China) signed such a agreement with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), result a free trade market of 1,6 billion people. Both sides of Taiwan Strait are negotiating about an FTA. That will not only open the mainland market for Taiwan, but also the partners of China will feel free to start free trade with Taiwan.

There is a huge difference between the economic and political relation of Taiwan with China. Economically the two China's are very integrated. But politically Taiwan takes up an independent position. All good reasons for European Business Review to put the spotlight on Taiwan in this special report.

N. Peter Kramer
Editor-in-chief

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