Ma Ying-jeou's overseas visit a sign of better cross-strait relations

Foreign trips by Taiwanese leaders once caused Beijing to go into fits of rage. Under President Ma Ying-jeou, though, 18 cross-strait agreements since his first election in 2008 have helped calm waters. His recent visits to the US, Paraguay and Caribbean consequently went by without comment from the capital. It is proof of the understanding and maturity that has developed in the relationship.

At the heart of the matter is maintaining the status quo. That is what Beijing and Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang government and the majority of the island's people want. Although Ma's 40-hour transit visit to New York was diplomatically significant, it was intentionally kept low-key. In place of the protests from the mainland that greeted forays by his predecessors, Chen Shui-bian and Lee Teng-hui, this time there was noticeable silence.

That is understandable given the progress that has been made. Taiwan's economy is now heavily dependent on the mainland. More than one million businessmen and their families live across the strait. Air traffic has grown five times to 616 flights a week since travel restrictions were eased in 2008. Among other agreements are accords on telecommunications and postal services, investment protection and promotion, crime fighting and the reciprocal opening of service sectors.

None of these deals existed before Ma took office. A lack of trust between the sides, prompted military buildups and the threat from Chen and Lee of the island declaring independence ensured frosty ties. A cat-and-mouse game between Beijing and Taipei to woo nations led to heated diplomatic bidding wars in which cash and infrastructure bribes were liberally thrown about. Unsurprisingly, Chen's planned visit to the US in 2006 and a stopover in 2001 and Lee's 1995 trip caused crises.

Just 22 nations, the most prominent the African country of Burkina Faso and the rest mostly small Pacific and Caribbean islands, now recognise Taiwan. China has great influence throughout Latin and Central America. That, and vastly improved conditions, meant Ma could meet without protest outgoing New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, Ed Royce, the chairman of the US House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, and business people and Chinese community leaders. With Beijing and Taipei now appreciating the status quo in ties, there is every chance that integration and growth will move forward smoothly. But for that to happen, there has to be continued understanding on both sides of the strait.