Cross-Strait Police Cooperation Between Taiwan and China (From International Police Cooperation: Emerging Issues, Theory and Practice, P 186-203, 2010, Frederic Lemieux, ed. - See NCJ-230937)

• NCJ Number: 230946
• Author(s): Yungnane Yang; Frederic Lemieux
• Date Published: 2010
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In examining the incentives and problems of cross-strait police cooperation between China and Taiwan, this chapter analyzes the political and institutional considerations that compelled Chinese police to cooperate with Taiwan's authorities.

Abstract

Because China still considers Taiwan to be part of its territory, bilateral ties between Taipei and Beijing are conducted through semi-official channels in order to circumvent the sensitive issue of sovereignty. These semi-official channels are the Straits Exchange Foundation on the Taiwanese side (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait on the Chinese side (ARATS). Previously, police organizations from both countries were not allowed to have formal contacts with each other. Currently, police cooperation is facilitated through these nongovernmental mechanisms created by both governments. This chapter describes how police organizations shape and implement cooperative initiatives that deal with the cross-strait crime between Taiwan and China. It identifies mechanisms and/or models that can facilitate police cooperation within this complex political environment. The authors use an institutional analysis framework to show how informal and formal constraints placed on law enforcement organizations influence police cooperation between the two countries. Since the global financial crisis of 2008, both governments are experiencing pressures that encourage the strengthening of trade cooperation that safeguards their respective economies. In addition, recent nontraditional security challenges - such as environmental issues, climate change, energy problems, terrorism, and contagious diseases - call for cooperation between the two countries. There are strong indicators of the possible development of a Common Market that includes Taiwan and China, which will increase the demand for more effective police cooperation that addresses new security issues. Currently, cross-border criminal activity between Taiwan and China appears to be increasing in both incidence and severity. 13 notes