Time for chat about Taiwan?

摘要

The leaders of China's Communist Party are packing their over-the-waist black swimming trunks to huddle earlier than usual for their annual summer conclave at the beach resort of Beidaihe. It is there that the really important issues for the coming year will be thrashed out. Not least, the leaders will have to come up with a response to the entirely unexpected: Taiwan's new president, Chen Shui-bian, once a staunch advocate of the island's independence, has been only conciliatory towards China since his inauguration in May.