Frosty relationship gives way to greater intimacy

By Edward Ion

POLITICAL relations between Taiwan and mainland China are never very cordial, given that Beijing has described the small island as a "renegade state" for more than half a century. The regular barrage of insults flying between Taipei and Beijing became more abusive earlier this year following the re-election of Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian. It’s no secret many of Mr Chen’s supporters are keen on declaring independence from the Motherland an idea that has the old Communist apparatchiki in Beijing foaming at the mouth.