The deal-driven relationship between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan has begun to change, said an expert on Taiwan affairs on Sunday during the country's annual legislative session.

Li Yihu, a deputy to China's National People’s Congress and also a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NPC. [Photo by He Shan/China.org.cn]

China's policy on Taiwan has been characterized by a slew of deals signed between the two that lend profits to Taiwan, but this policy has come to an end, said Li Yihu, a deputy to China's National People's Congress and also a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NPC.

When Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan announced intentions to sign a total of 21 deals over the next several years. Most of the pacts have now been passed, leaving the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement up in the air.

That pact led to massive protests in Taiwan last March, as activists believed the ruling Kuomingtang (KMT) has forced the deal to be passed and that the deal may compromise the interest of Taiwan's service sector. Voting on the pact is now gridlocked and unlikely to be passed during the remainder of Ma's term, according to Li.

Li believes that China's policy on Taiwan has now veered off in a new direction that places more emphasis on small- and medium-sized enterprises, the lower and middle class, the central and southern part of Taiwan, and young people.

This new direction is evident in speeches made by Chinese President Xi Jinping on various occasions last year. The visits made by Zhang Zhijun, China's top official on Taiwan affairs, to the island last June are seen as part of an initial effort to try the new approach.

As to whether the policy on Taiwan will witness any changes after Taiwan's 2016 election to decide its new leader, Li said the fundamental policy of the Chinese mainland was a consensus reached between the two sides confirming the fact of "one country." He believes that exchange between the Communist Party of China and the parties in Taiwan is possible as long as both sides follow through on the fundamentals.

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