If, for example, in the course of ongoing negotiations, Taiwan were given an assurance that it could keep its army, it could keep its police, it would keep its political structure, it would keep its own parliament, it would keep its own currency, it would keep its own laws and judiciary, would that not be some encouragement?

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Given that Taiwan cannot be forced, can it be wooed?

ECONOMIST: Taiwan and China

Bravely, Mr Prestowitz analyses the hostages to fortune given by American policy towards both Israel and Taiwan.

ECONOMIST: American power

There is concern that Taiwan's life insurance market is already mature, given that the growth of annual premium income has slipped from 30% to 15%.

CNN: Another Lease on Life?

If it were given these kinds of assurances, then what would Taiwan be giving up?

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Though the Americans had given assurances that there would be no new statement on Taiwan, officials in Taipei feared concessions might be made in a less formal way.

ECONOMIST: Taiwan watches nervously

Given such corporate action, it may not be a surprise that nimble Taiwan has suffered the least from the region's turmoil.

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