I. INTRODUCTION
CROSS-TAIWAN STRAIT RELATIONS IS A RATHER POPULAR SUBJECT. IT NOT ONLY HAS MUCH TO DO WITH OUR LIVES
BUT IT ALSO TOUCHES UPON THE POLITICAL IDENTITY AND VALUE SYSTEM OF EACH OF US. THEREFORE IT IS A HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL FIELD.
SINCE THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED AS AN INTRODUCTORY LEVEL ONE, WE WISH TO AVOID THE IDEOLOGICAL DEBATES IN THE TAIWANESE SOCIETY.
WE WILL FIRST TRACE THE ORIGINS OF THE DIVISION OF CHINA WE WILL THEN TRY TO EXPLORE THE CROSS-TAIWAN STRAIT RELATIONS FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE,
HOPING THAT THIS APPROACH WILL LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN FURTHER STUDY IN THE FUTURE