This book is about the basis and scope of impact that Taiwan - a democracy with a population of
around 23 million - has on China the most powerful remaining Leninist state which claims
sovereignty over Taiwan and has a population of over 1.3 billion. It examines how Taiwan has
helped China in its economic transformation but argues that the former exercises greatest
influence through its soft power. The expert and timely contributions in this book demonstrate
how Taiwan exerts real influence in China through admiration of its popular culture be it in
music or literature as well as its reach into politics and economics. As mainland Chinese
visit Taiwan they are most impressed with civility in everyday living based on a modernized
version of the traditional Chinese culture. However discussions in the book also reveal the
limits of Taiwan's impact as the Chinese government tightly controls the narrative about
Taiwan and does not tolerate any Taiwanese posing a threat to its monopoly of power.
