對於兩岸問題，學界一向從總體層面探討，忽略宏觀結構的變化，但比較前瞻的見識，有時必須建立在微觀基礎之上。本文以大上海和大東莞地區的台灣人為研究對象，試圖釐清兩岸人民接觸之後的社會融入。研究發現，影響台人與當地人接觸交往的關鍵在「階級」，其影響主要透過「消費能力」和「生活方式」兩種機制發揮，前者決定人與人間客觀的「相遇機會」，後者則決定個人主觀的「接觸觀感」。階級相近的人群一方面常有機會在生活場域中相遇，另一方面則因消費偏好以及行為、思考模式趨同，接觸之後往往願意／能夠進一步深交；反之則難以認同彼此。由此關照兩岸未來，則唯有當大陸的經濟發展和人民素質與台灣趨近之際，雙方人民的接觸才能帶來正向效果，否則交流恐無助於社會融合，反而深化彼此惡感。

Most analyses addressing cross-Strait relations focus on the macro-level and few really touch upon micro-level processes such as personal contacts and sequent attitudinal changes. Yet it is normally difficult to predict macro-level consequences without referring to detailed observations of the micro-level changes. The aim of this paper thus is to clarify whether the Taiwanese, who have lived alongside of the Chinese for years, have been assimilated into the local mainland society. If they have, what factors lead to those changes? To know the answers, in the summer of 2009 the author interviewed more than 200 Taiwanese who have settled in greater Shanghai and Dongguan. With this data, which was the most extensive survey ever done, the author finds that social class instead of personal identity plays the key role in determining Taiwanese's social assimilation. Such influences could be exerted via two mechanisms: one is consumption ability and the other lifestyle. The former determines the objective chances of interactions while the latter establishes the subjective willingness to make or avoid contacts. By the same token, if inter-group contacts are not based on similar life culture, they will not do any good to facilitate social assimilation. From this point of view, people-to-people contacts can contribute to cross-Strait integration only when the level of development and lifestyle of the ”people” get equal otherwise, these contracts can only lead to pride and prejudices.