This book takes an in-depth look at the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan. The contributors examine the causes of conflict and explore ways to prevent future tension from deteriorating into war.

Suisheng Zhao--Introduction, I. OVERVIEW, Suisheng Zhao--Economic Interdependence and Poltical Divergence: A Background Analysis of the Taiwan Strait Crisis, John F. Copper--The Origins of Conflict Across the Taiwan Strait: The Problem of Differences in Perceptions, II. MAKING SENSE OF BEIJING'S TAIWAN POLICY: FROM PEACEFUL OFFENSE TO MILITARY COERSION, You Ji--Changing Leadership Consensus: The Domestic Context of War Games, Suisheng Zhao--Changing Leadership Perceptions: The External Context of War Games, Qimao Chen--The Taiwan Strait Crisis: Causes, Scenarios and Solutions, III. MAKING SENSE OF TAIPEI'S MAINLAND POLICY: THE TRANSITIONAL POLITICS AND IDENTITY CRISIS, Yun-han Chu--The Poltical Economy of Taiwan's Mainland Policy, Steven Goldstein--The Cross Straits Talks of 1993--The Rest of the Story: Domestic Politics and Taiwan's Mainland Policy, Shelley Rigger--Competing Conceptions of Taiwan's Identity: The Irresolvable Conflict in Cross-Strait Relations, IV. LESSONS FROM THE CRISIS, Edward Friedman--The Prospects of a Larger War: Chinese Nationalism and the Taiwan Strait Conflict, Dennis Van Vranken Hickey--The Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1996: Implications for U.S. Security Policy,

"This comprehensive assessment by eminent US, Taiwan and Mainland Chinese experts is a "must -read" for students and specialists who are concerned with the volatile and conflict-prone cross-Strait relationship." -- Robert G. Sutter, National Intelligence Officer for East Asia, National Intelligence Council, Central Intelligence Agency"One of the first and very best books out there to assess this critical and troubling period in US-China-Taiwan relations. Unique, informative and well balanced, it brings together serious analysts from all three sides of the issue." -- Bates Gill, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies and Director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies, The Brookings Institute"Across the Taiwan Strait is a comprehensive examinationof a decisive period in post-Cold War diplomacy andgreatly contributes to our understanding of the prospectsfor future peace and cooperation throughout Asia." --Robert S. Ross, Professor of Political Science, BostonCollege and Associate, The FairBank Center for East AsianResearch, Harvard University"This comprehensive assessment by eminent US, Taiwan and Mainland Chinese experts is a "must-read" for students and specialists who are concerned with the volatile and conflict-prone cross-Strait relationship." -- Robert G. Sutter, National Intelligence Officer for East Asia, National Intelligence Council, Central Intelligence Agency"One of the first and very best books out there to assess this critical and troubling period in US-China-Taiwan realtions. Unique, informative and well balanced, it brings together serious analysts from all three sides of the issue." -- Bates Gill, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies and Director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies, The Brookings Institute