Building cross-strait ties a tall order for Taipei

The world's second-tallest building, Taipei 101, is always looking for tenants as rents rise and its strict green policies, such as warmish air-con settings, daunt some would-be renters.

Ten of the 90 tenants in the central Taipei tower - second in height only to Dubai's Burj Khalifa - are from the mainland. Among them are the Bank of Communications and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.

"They are an important target for us," Taipei 101 assistant vice-president and spokesman Michael Liu said. "As our government opens up, there will be more and more of them."

The tenant roster reflects the mainland's willingness to do business in Taiwan following 18 agreements signed in the past four years. It also shows Taiwan's eagerness to keep exports competitive and shore up a sagging service sector.

But Taipei 101 tells only half the story. Deals between Taiwan and the mainland do not affect much of the island's thirsty US$430 billion-plus economy that seeks the other side's business to stay globally competitive.

Agreements came after decades of icy political tension that squelched trade, transport links and economic relations.