In early January 2005, mainland authorities revealed an even grander plan for seven national expressways originating from Beijing.

The mainland authorities declined to explain the difference in treatment except to say that each case had its own circumstances.

However, this declaration provoked heavy criticisms from the mainland authorities and developed into a constitutional crisis.

In the last few years, Taiwan has stopped calling the mainland authorities "Communist bandits" and has allowed its residents to visit relatives on the mainland.

Starting from 2003 the mainland authorities loosened control over visiting Hong Kong and Macau of mainland residents.

"We have asked mainland authorities to extend the import ban."

Hong Kong officials have taken great pains to praise the cooperation from mainland authorities.

She was criticised by the Legislative Council for her passiveness, for believing in misleading information shared by the mainland authority, and did not act swiftly.

The elections were held for the 29 new mainland unitary authorities created under the act, which replaced the nine former regions established in 1975.

The old vitriol - "Communist bandits" - is gone, replaced by niceties like the "mainland authorities."