Abstract
The recent US-Japan joint security statement put the China-Taiwan issue among the priorities of the United States and Japan common strategic interests for the first time. This new development might be interpreted as strengthening Taiwan's security in front of China's military threat. However, this article argues that over-emphasizing the military measures as a guarantee of the cross-Strait stability might actually worsen the current situation and force Taiwan into a proxy of competition between great powers. It instead proposes a bottom-up approach for the peaceful resolution of the stand-off between China and Taiwan by actively seeking cooperation with Chinese social activists on issues, such as labor and environment, addressing the common interests of both societies. The consensus emerging from such cooperation provides a more solid ground for long-term peace between Taiwan and China.