If the ‘92 Consensus is respected, which is already the bottom line for a healthy cross-strait relationship, interactions could advance in ways benefiting both sides, which will continue to enjoy the bonus of the peace and economic cooperation. Efforts to put distance between Taipei and Beijing, whether made by domestic or outside parties, can only damage both sides of the relationship.

The leaders reaffirmed the fundamentally important role of the 1992 Consensus in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, offering a status quo of peace and development. It provides guidance to the future development of cross-Strait relations, and all parties should value that no matter who wins Taiwan’s 2016 elections.

The world has to respect the patience of the People's Republic of China's vision to take the long view of reuniting with Taiwan in a peaceful manner. This is not only in the best interest of the people of China and Taiwan, but all of humanity.

The tacit accord achieved by Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou reflects the leaders’ confidence and wisdom to tackle tough problems in an easy manner -- and open minds that can reach a compromise with friends. Cross-Strait relations have developed peacefully for over seven years and reached a milestone at the meeting.

As the prospect of the opposition party DPP winning the Taiwan presidential election increases, cross-Straits relations could be in for a long winter. George Koo argues Beijing faces a Taiwan with fewer options, even Japan could join the U.S. to interfere in how Beijing and Taipei deal with each other.

The governing parties and authorities across the Taiwan Straits are both worried about whether peaceful development will continue to prevail in cross-Straits relations in the coming two years. The potential disruption that Tsai Ing-wen's election may cause can be averted with a strong commitment to the 1992 Consensus.

Deepening U.S. involvement with Taiwan represents a negative asset to U.S.-China relations, especially considering that in 1979, the Carter Administration acknowledged the P.R.C. as the sole legal Government of China. The U.S. should seize interference in the internal affairs of China and Taiwan, terminate arms sales to Taiwan and any form of official exchanges, and truly let people on both sides of the Strait settle their own political and military differences.

The KMT and the DPP will soon unveil candidates for the top executive job in Taiwan, and politics will revolve around the 2016 election. Both Beijing and Washington are hoping that the people of Taiwan will elect a leader that supports stable cross-strait relations and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

Ted Carpenter argues that the contentious Taiwan issue has merely been slumbering during the presidency of Ma Ying-jeou, and it now shows signs of awakening as a part of Taiwan’s greater assertiveness toward Beijing – which also implicates the United States in their role as “protector.”

The recent landslide victory of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has obvious implications for China-U.S. relations, and for a cross-strait standoff between the countries two militaries. Washington should preempt any possible cross-strait military build-up and engage in a sincere dialogue about the democratic future of Taiwan in a “one country, two systems” solution.