Each partner moves to its own rhythm, not necessarily in sync with the other and both have been influenced by the role of the United States. Now that the U.S. has announced it will not be in the room, both parties will have to deal with the issues frankly and realistically, and only with each other. Most people in Taiwan have strong ties with mainland China. It is Taiwan's favorite tourist destination, receiving over a million visitors annually. Since reform began in China, over 2,500 students from Taiwan have received degrees from mainland universities.
China needs Taiwan's manufacturing prowess and understanding of high technology markets.
Taiwan needs the mainland's low cost base and the huge market. One poll in late June found 69 percent want to establish direct links with the mainland, rejecting the country's official ban on direct mail, direct flights and shipping and direct trade. Clearly, the mainland is too important an economic partner to be taken lightly. Direct linkage across will not only facilitate economic development and tourism but alleviate mistrust and promote official cooperation. Chinese people, from the mainland or Taiwan, are strongly pragmatic and short on ideology.