Koo-Wang Meet Again in Shanghai Amid Growing Political Divergence

Five years after their historic Singapore meeting, SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu and ARATS Chairman Wang Daohan met again in Shanghai from October 14-19, 1998, but the reunion only highlighted how far apart democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China had grown.

Changed Context

The cross-strait environment had transformed since 1993:

Taiwan’s Evolution

Full democracy consolidated
Direct presidential election held
Taiwan identity strengthening
International engagement expanding

China’s Hardening

Post-missile crisis military buildup
Hong Kong freedoms already eroding
Nationalist rhetoric intensifying
Zero tolerance for independence

Meeting Atmospherics

Cordial Surface

Wang personally welcomed Koo
Shanghai hospitality displayed
Cultural exchanges emphasized
Economic cooperation discussed

Underlying Tensions

Political dialogue avoided
Sovereignty disputes unresolved
Military threats unaddressed
Democratic legitimacy ignored

Limited Agenda

The talks carefully avoided core issues:

Discussed Topics

Economic Exchanges - Trade facilitation measures
Cultural Interaction - Academic and artistic exchanges
Practical Matters - Document verification updates
Future Meetings - Continued dialogue mechanism

Forbidden Subjects

Taiwan’s international space
Democratic development
Military intimidation
Political framework

Contrasting Objectives

Taiwan’s Goals

Reduce tensions peacefully
Maintain status quo
Protect democratic system
Buy time for consolidation

Beijing’s Agenda

Draw Taiwan into political talks
Establish unification timetable
Isolate independence forces
Create economic dependence

Democracy vs. Authoritarianism

The meeting showcased systemic differences:

Koo’s Constraints

Legislative oversight back home
Media scrutiny intense
Public opinion watching
Democratic mandate limited

Wang’s Authority

Clear party instructions
No public accountability
Unified message control
Strategic patience emphasized

Behind Closed Doors

Private discussions revealed fundamental gaps:

Political Framework

Beijing: Accept “one China” first
Taipei: Discuss without preconditions
Beijing: Taiwan is a province
Taipei: Sovereign equality required

Future Vision

Beijing: Inevitable unification
Taipei: Indefinite status quo
Beijing: One country, two systems
Taipei: Democratic decision needed

Public Reactions

In Taiwan

Democratic diversity of views:

Business Community: Welcomed stability
Opposition Parties: Criticized appeasement
Civil Society: Demanded transparency
Media: Extensive critical coverage

In China

Authoritarian uniformity:

State media positive spin
No dissenting voices
Unification inevitability stressed
Taiwan democracy ignored

Economic Subtext

Growing Integration

Taiwan investment in China rising
Trade dependence increasing
Business pressure for stability
Economic card being played

Security Concerns

Technology transfer worries
Economic leverage fears
Diversification needs
Strategic vulnerability

No Breakthrough

Despite hopes, fundamental issues remained:

Political Status - No common ground
International Space - Beijing intransigent
Military Threats - Not addressed
Democratic Values - Incompatible systems

U.S. Monitoring

Washington watched carefully:

Supported dialogue
Warned against pressure
Reaffirmed Taiwan commitment
Democracy promotion continued

Media Coverage Divide

Taiwan’s Free Press

Live reporting from Shanghai
Critical analysis abundant
Opposition voices prominent
International context provided

China’s Controlled Media

Scripted positive coverage
No real analysis
Unification assumed
Democracy dismissed

Long-term Implications

The Shanghai meeting revealed:

Dialogue Limitations

Talking past each other
Core issues untouchable
Systemic incompatibility
Time not healing divide

Growing Apart

Taiwan democratizing further
China authoritarian consolidation
Identity divergence accelerating
Peaceful resolution harder

Historical Assessment

The 1998 Koo-Wang meeting demonstrated:

Atmospherics Insufficient - Cordiality couldn’t bridge systemic gaps
Democracy Changes Everything - Popular sovereignty non-negotiable
Authoritarian Rigidity - Beijing’s framework inflexible
Economic Integration Limited - Politics ultimately trumps business

While maintaining dialogue channels, the Shanghai meeting paradoxically confirmed that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China were growing further apart, with fundamental political differences increasingly impossible to paper over with economic cooperation or cultural exchanges.