EXPERTS ADVISORY

Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou will meet Chinese president Xi Jinping in Singapore Nov. 7. It will be the first meeting of the two nations’ top leaders since 1949.

The University of Michigan has experts who can discuss this historic meeting:

John Ciorciari is an assistant professor at the Ford School of Public Policy. His research focuses on Southeast Asia and examines foreign policy strategies, human rights and the reform of international economic institutions.

“Any meeting between the leaders of China and Taiwan would be delicate, but the coming Taiwanese elections add to the political risks for both sides,” he said. “Ma Ying-jeou and Xi Jinping are doubtlessly concerned that their summit will help Tsai Ing-wen expand her lead as the Taiwanese electorate drifts away from the mainland. That’s surely one reason why both sides are promising that no deals will be signed when Ma and Xi meet.”

Contact: 734-615-6947, [email protected]

Mary Gallagher, associate professor of political science and director of the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, is an expert on Chinese politics, law and society.

“This is an important development in cross-strait relations as it shows the desire of both sides (PRC and KMT) to influence the upcoming elections in Taiwan, which are not looking favorable right now to either,” she said. “However, as with the 1996 presidential elections, it seems possible that this move could cause a strong counter reaction in Taiwan, particularly among the younger generation. If it appears that the KMT is trying to use a meeting with Xi to influence the election, this could undermine support in Taiwan for the Nationalist Party, not increase it.

“On the PRC side, Xi’s decision to meet with Ma shows his confidence domestically. He does not seem concerned that a meeting with President Ma will be used against him internally.”

Contact: 734-764-3566, [email protected]

Linda Lim, professor of strategy at the Ross School of Business, is an authority on the political economy of local and multinational business in Southeast Asia.

Contact: 734-763-0290, [email protected]