A news analysis from the NY Times:
Analysists suggest that setbacks suffered by Taiwanese president Chen Shui-Bian and allies may be due to China’s threats of war. “If the conclusion of the leadership is that the hard-line stance it has taken against Chen Shui-bian had good results, then they will also conclude that the basic policy should not change,” said Yan Xuetong, a foreign affairs expert who has advised the Chinese leadership on Taiwan policy.