This article analyzes patterns of inter-group dynamics among young Taiwanese, Mainland Chinese, and American civil society participants in weeklong interactive conflict resolution workshops. The author focuses on dialogues from twelve such workshops on cross-Strait relations that he facilitated between 2005 and 2012 in order to analyze (i) how college-educated Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese young adults understand the history of the conflict across the Taiwan Strait, (ii) the multi-faceted ways these young adults perceive Chinese group identities and sovereignty pertaining to cross-Strait relations, and (iii) their capacity for empathizing with counterparts from the other side of the Strait, even to the extent of crossing boundaries of political correctness within their own society. The article contends that this youth-led initiative called “Strait Talk” presents a promising model of civil society exchange that builds on ongoing trends in political, economic, and cultural interactions across the Taiwan Strait. 

Available at: http://apps-i.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/APPS_1.1_pp45-68_arai.pdf