Editorial: Cross-strait policy needs a rudder

Chen inherited Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) team and operational mode for cross-strait affairs. Without Lee's "special state-to-state" model as the core belief, Chen's cross-strait policy lacks a comprehensive blueprint. As a result, policy is formulated only after it has become a practical reality. The opening up of "small three links" is a neccessary result. However, at least the government still holds the steering wheel. The government should seek to have the ball in its court based on a forward-looking mode of thinking, rather than allowing practical circumstances to dictate the policy's direction.