With comprehensive historical, political, socioeconomic, and cultural data, this book offers a timely examination of the developments in mainland China, Taiwan, and U.S. involvement in the region as they relate to the ongoing Taiwan Strait dilemma. While many books approach this issue primarily from the viewpoint of Taiwan, this book gives considerable attention to China and its development and role in the issue. In an approachable style, this intriguing work identifies the realities that mainland China and Taiwan, as well as the United States, face and presents various options in an effort to develop mutual understanding and peaceful solutions for each party involved in the Taiwan issue.