Three Links

The Three Links or Three Linkages (Chinese: 三通; Pinyin: Sān tōng) are direct postal (通郵 Tōng yóu), transportation (especially airline) (通航 Tōng háng), and trade (通商 Tōng shāng) links between mainland China and Taiwan. Since the end of major combat operations of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, all such contact was barred by the retreating Kuomintang. Communication between the two sides has since been routed through intermediate destinations, primarily Hong Kong, Macau and Jeju.

Increased economic exchanges between the two sides has increased pressure to liberalise the restriction policy, but such efforts were often hampered by fluctuating relations between them, in particular the political standing of each party at the negotiation table. Taiwan has routinely criticised China for its insistance that negotiations begin only when Taiwan accepts its "one-China policy", while Taiwan has insisted that talks begin only when both parties are recognised as "equals". In recent years, both sides have shown willingness to back down from their respective demands, thus allowing the introduction of limited chartered flights since 2003. The issue has also been hotly debated in the leadup to the 2008 presidential elections in Taiwan, with each candidate pledging willingness to open up the three links, although to varying degrees and at different time-frames.

Impact

The enforcement of the ban on direct trade links has benefited third party transit points, in particular Hong Kong since 1988. By 1997, the Taipei-Hong Kong air route alone constituted one-sixth of the passengers handled at the Hong Kong Airport with five million passengers. By 2001, this figure has jumped to 6.7 million, making it the busiest international air routes by passenger numbers in the world. 1.6 million air travellers flew into China from Hong Kong in 1996, and in 2000, 18% of Hong Kong's 2.4 million tourists came from Taiwan, out of which 36% of them travelled on to the mainland with or without staying in Hong Kong. In the five year period from 2003 to 2007 there were an average of 3.68 million passengers annually who travel through Hong Kong between the two locations. Conversely, libereration of the three links may have adverse economic consequencies on Hong Kong: the city's tourism operators estimated loses of over HK$3 billion annually should the three links be liberated in 2008. A possible 6.6% reduction in tourism in Hong Kong may be limited in economic impact as transit passengers typically spend far less during transit, but it may have significant impact on Hong Kong-based airlines, in particular Cathay Pacific and its affiliate Dragonair. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao believes Hong Kong will not be affected as the increased economic exchange may benefit the city too.

Liberalization

Disputes

While the PRC and ROC agree in principle on opening the Three Links, the current administration led by President Chen Shui-bian has expressed reservations. According to the Mainland Affairs Council of the ROC, the current major obstacle resides in PRC's One-China position which does not recognize the sovereignty of the ROC. The Council stated that the Three links would only be considered when the PRC stops its animosity against ROC sovereignty and improved the cross-strait relationship.

The PRC government considers the cross-strait flights as domestic flights, according to the One China Policy. However, the ROC government in Taiwan regards this position the same as recognising Taiwan (ROC) as a part of the PRC and thus would compromise the ROC sovereignty. During the period of the direct charter flights, the PRC state media stressed that they were domestic flights, whereas the ROC government stressed that they were international flights.

The Pan-Green Coalition in Taiwan claims there is a potential compromise on the national security in the case of three links, suggesting the PRC could disguise troop carriers as commercial aircraft to invade Taiwan. This has been met by criticism from both the PRC and Pan-Blue Coalition.

In 2004, Beijing declared a cross-strait expressway project linking Beijing to Taipei connecting the two sides of the Taiwan Straits together. However, due to the potential technical difficulties, some people in Taipei consider this move as political propaganda.

The Three Links are mentioned in the Anti-Secession Law of the People's Republic of China.

Three mini-links

The Little Three Links or Mini Three Links or Three Small Links (小三通; xiǎo sān tōng) are postal, transportation, and trade links between the People's Republic of China's Fujian province cities of Xiamen, Mawei and Quanzhou, and the islands of Quemoy and Matsu, which are administered by the Republic of China. Activity via the "Mini-Links" has grown rapidly since they were created in 2001, but it remains only a small part of overall trade. Current regulations allow only those with household registrations in Kinmen, Matsu or Quanzhou to use the trade links.

Limited Cross-strait flights

Main article: Lunar New Year cross-strait charter

In early 2003, the Republic of China (ROC) government permitted its air carriers to ferry Chinese New Year passengers back and forth across the Strait by way of "indirect charter flights" that touched down briefly in Hong Kong or Macau. The ROC and People's Republic of China (PRC) did not repeat the charter flights during the 2004 Chinese New Year, in part because the two sides could not agree on the terms for meetings to discuss how PRC carriers might also participate.

On January 29, 2005, China Airlines flight CAL581 landed in Beijing, China.

The two sides agreed to permit cross-strait flights for the Chinese New Year of Rooster in 2005. Unlike the 2003 flights, the 2005 flights did not have to touch down in Hong Kong or Macau, but still must enter its airspace. The first direct commercial flights from the mainland China (from Guangzhou) to Taiwan since 1949 arrived in Taipei on January 29, 2005. Shortly afterwards, a China Airlines carrier landed in Beijing. Airports on both sides saw ceremonial displays on the arrival of the first passengers, with dancing lions and dragons, and officials making speeches. For the three week holiday period, 48 flights were scheduled.

On 19 July 2006, the first direct chartered all-cargo flight since 1949 operated by China Airlines landed in Shanghai from Taipei. Four other flights were operated, with the last on 10 August 2006.

Further liberalization

In the leadup to the 2008 presidential elections in Taiwan, the Kuomintang candidate, Ma Ying-jeou, pledged opening up of the Three Links at an accelerated rate should he be elected president. The ruling DPP has traditionally been reluctant to implement this, citing the PRC's refusal to negotiate unless the Taiwanese counterparty accepts the one-China principle under the 1992 consensus. In June 2007, DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh criticised Ma's plans as a reflection of his lack of experience in handling cross-strait affairs. He also stressed that while the direct links may benefit Taiwan economically, Taiwan's values must not be compromised as a result.

On 29 February 2008, Ma announced plans to commence weekend charter flights by 1 July 2008, which will be expanded to daily charters by the end of the year. Regular scheduled flights may commance by June 2009. The airports of Taoyuan, Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Taitung, and Penghu will be open for these cross-strait flights, while the seaports of Keelung, Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Chiayi, and Tainan will be open to direct shipping routes. All restrictions limiting the scope of the "mini three links" will be lifted, including allowing all Taiwanese to use them. Hsieh responded by promising to expand cross-strait charter flights within three months after taking office, including increased flight frequencies and the addition of destinations on the Chinese mainland which may be flown to. Both liberalisation plans were greeted by enthusiam amongst Taiwanese airlines.

See also

• Anti-Secession Law of the People's Republic of China
• Chinese reunification
• Political status of Taiwan
• Politics of Taiwan
• Taiwan independence

References and external links

• List of articles related to the Three Links at Taiwan Headlines
• "Direct China-Taiwan flights start" at BBC News, referenced 29 January, 2005
• Wikinews: Taiwan-China flights begin
• Taiwan Security Research on three=links