Beijing acted as a ladder to lift Taiwan for economic support like it did for Hong Kong earlier. The fourth cross-strait economic forum was being attended conjointly by the Communist party and Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang. The apparent reason seemed to be the global financial bedlam yet the agreement seemed to be getting the matter of getting the mainland and the island closer, into the forefront.

The steps were welcome- albeit not by all Taiwanese. Some of these were less keen for close links between the two sides than the others.

Probably the plague affecting the Taiwanese stock markets is mainly due to the depleting of European and North American markets. Factuality stares into the face with Taiwan’s mainland-based companies taking the downturn. The forum offered measures such as tax breaks, involvement in the mainland’s economic boost and made a stupendous offer of 130 billion yuan (HK $148 billion) in support, for three years. The mainland lands a helping hand due to its controlled markets which has a buffer for economic downswings. Regardless of the political circumstances, it is its duty to always be ready to assist the Chinese families in critical situations.

Ever since Kuomintang Ma Ying-jeou took over the president in May from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's Chen Shui-bian, ties have become more affable. For the first time, in six decades, last Monday witnessed direct daily passenger flights. Postal links and new shipping routes were also opened by the sides.

The head of the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office, Wang Yi, interjected the issue of politics by supporting Kuomintang vice-chairman Tseng Yung-chuan in his opinion that the island's pro-independence political opposition should be included in the annual gathering. The mainland’s move can be fully accepted for the eventual reconciling, only when there are no lingering traces of opposition from the Taiwanese society. Kuomintang followers alone are not enough to make get this goal into fruition.

Politics being the main arrest, trade has given impetus for better relations and the financial descent has provided a conjuncture for Beijing to play the economic card. Although there is quite a lot of resilience from the Taiwanese in Mr. Ma moving close with his friendly demeanor, it has been an obvious boost. These efforts have to be taken with futuristic goals and with much needed sensitivity. There is dubiousness with Beijing’s attempts to sway the political scenario with generous economic grants. Obfuscation might flourish at the margins yet such thoughts could be dispelled by having fewer trade restrictions. The greatest feats of progress can be achieved with the mainland truly opening up to the rest of China with a proper free-trade policy.