Urban cross-border mobilities: geopolitical encounters and bordering practices of ‘Taiwanese compatriots’ in China

Abstract

The China – Taiwan conundrum remains one of the unresolved conflicts of the Cold War era. Although it can be said that both political entities are relatively at peace with each other, no treaty has ever been signed, and China remains ardent that it will use military action against Taiwan should the latter proclaim independence. 1 However, the increase in Chinese political, economic and cultural power over the last few decades has led to the two republics engaging with each other in new politicised ways. Taiwan has increasingly come to terms that ‘independence’ is simply not a realistic option. Pushing for independence could only upset China and strain both cross-strait and international (US) relations. China, on the other hand, is beginning to abandon efforts in engaging Taiwan in non-constructive verbal disputes over sovereignty, in preference for the potential economic benefits of a ‘Greater China’ sphere of co-prosperity. Such sentiments for peaceful and mutual economic development are neatly captured in existing and emerging tourism activities in, and between, the two republics.