China-Taiwan relations are thawing! At least...

[TreasonousBastard]

according to what I just heard on BBC radio.

They've just opened trade talks, with some increased trade already agreed to, and the two heads of state are planning a meeting.

Nobody's yet making the big leap to China recognizing Taiwan as an independant state, but this is how such recognition starts.

[Doctor Cynic]

1. No one is going to recognize anything.

Most people are content with the status quo, given that Taiwan isn't exactly cut off from the world.

Remember that the current arrangement comes from Cold War dick-waving which separated an existing nation, just like Germany and Korea. Once the dictatorship ends in Beijing the reunification process will proceed fairly quickly.