Even Lien's own senior aides began questioning Lee's intentions.

CNN: ASIANOW - Asiaweek | From Our Correspondent | Lee Teng-hui

On one side there is Vincent Siew, the new prime minister, Mr Lien (currently vice-president), many senior cabinet members and most of the media, who think that Taiwan's business interests in China are now so large that there are compelling reasons to talk.

ECONOMIST: Taiwan