The conference that forms the basis for this book was held in Taipei in 1989. With contributions by political figures from both the Kuomintang and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, as well as leading scholars from Taiwan and the US, this book discusses the critical issues affecting the future of Taiwan. The book discusses Taiwan's economic achievements, its pathbreaking experiments with political reform, its unique patterns of political participation, its example as a fully modernized Chinese cultural community, its importance in the world trading system, and its key role in Pacific Basin international relations. It also discusses how these factors have made Taiwan a focus of interest for students of economic development, comparative politics and international relations.