WPR Blog Archive

More progress on cross-Straits relations: Taiwan has opened its markets to mainland Chinese investment. The new rules are in part a testament to the power of Chinese cash reserves (Taiwan’s economy shrank 10 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2009). But they also represent a significant, if pragmatic, step towards Taiwanese President MaYing-Jeou’s goal of closer economic ties, which have to date beenmainly one-way (from Taiwan to China). “Institutional” investment — by which I understand state-sponsored, but I might be mistaken — is limited to 10 percent of stock ownership, while limits on corporate ownership will be decided on […]

The good news, if you’re an EU fan, is that the Czech Republic presidency mercifully came to an end starting today. From start to finish, it was a bumpy, amateurish ride, as this EU Observer wrap-up entertainingly illustrates. (The fun stuff starts about halfway through.) There were some accomplishments, although in typical EU fashion, it’s hard to tell how lasting they will be. The French obstructionism highlighted by the article might not raise eyebrows, since France already has the reputation of being arrogant with regard to the smaller and newer member states. But it contrasts with France’s support and assistance […]