Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Aug. 15, 2010)

For full text, click on the title or visit the TSR web page at taiwansecurity.org

Sino-U.S. South China Sea Squabble

US Navy Destroyer Docks in Vietnam for Four-Day Visit
(VoA, Aug. 10, 2010) The visit by the guided-missile USS John S. McCain comes amid escalating tensions with China over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

Former Enemies US, Vietnam Now Military Mates By Margie Mason(AP, Aug. 7, 2010) Cold War enemies the United States and Vietnam demonstrated their blossoming military relations as a U.S. nuclear supercarrier floated in waters off the Southeast Asian nation's coast — sending a message that China is not the region's only big player.
US-Vietnam Ties Strengthen with Military Exercises, to China’s Chagrin By Donald Kirk (Christien Science Monitor, Aug. 12, 2010) In the latest twist to Southeast Asia's blood-stained history, this week the USS John McCain is training Vietnamese forces in the South China Sea in search-and-rescue. Concerned about China’s Rise, Southeast Asian Nations Build Up Militaries By John Pomfret (Washington Post, Aug. 9, 2010) The nations of Southeast Asia are building up their militaries, buying submarines and jet fighters at a record pace and edging closer strategically to the United States as a hedge against China's rise and its claims to all of the South China Sea.

'1992 Consensus' and Cross-Strait Issues

‘1992 Consensus’ Is Basis of Trust: Li
(CNA, Aug. 12, 2010) There was speculation that Li mentioned the “1992 consensus” in response to recent discussions about China's military deployments targeting Taiwan.

Talk of the Day: Differences Over the ‘1992 Consensus’
(CNA, Aug. 12, 2010) Li Yafei, vice president ARATS, said at a seminar in Taipei that adherence by Taiwan and China to an anti-independence stance and the "1992 consensus" since 2008 has helped build trust and end confrontation between the two sides.

Taipei, Beijing Show Willingness to Discuss ‘92 Consensus’
(China Post, Aug. 13, 2010) A little more than one month after Taipei and Beijing signed a landmark economic pact, officials from both sides were showing willingness to tackle what is arguably the most sensitive political issue in cross-strait negotiations.

Taiwan Government Faces Challenges after ECFA: Scholars
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2010) The signing of a historic trade pact between Taiwan and China was just the start of a wide range of economic and political tasks for the Taiwanese government to overcome and cautiously review, scholars said.

Taiwan, China Agrees on Economic Commission
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2010) Taiwan and China have agreed that an economic cooperation commission to be established under a recently signed trade pact will be headed by vice ministerial-level officials from each side, government sources said.

Survey Indicates Majority Support for PRC Students
(Taipei Times, Aug. 15, 2010) While most Taiwanese favored allowing Chinese students to study in Taiwan, legal measures must be in place to manage their stay and protect the interests of local students, a poll released yesterday by the Taiwan Thinktank showed.

  

PLA

Chinese Warships Tour the Mediterranean
(Defense News, Aug. 9, 2010) The Chinese naval ensign, rarely seen far from Asian waters, has been flying this month in a region of the world that has caught few glimpses of the expanding People's Liberation Army Navy: the Mediterranean Sea.

China Paper Warns Military Thinking Outmoded
(Reuters, Aug. 14, 2010) China's military thinking is outmoded and should learn from others, especially the United States, when it come to modernizing its vast armed forces, a leading armed forces newspaper said.

  

Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations

Corruption Hurting Taiwan’s Democracy: Analysts
(AFP, Aug. 9, 2010) A former president jailed for graft, a retired head of military police indicted for embezzlement, three top judges accused of taking bribes — the list goes on. Taiwan has a problem with corruption.

Taiwan to Continue Pragmatic Approach with U.N.: Ministry
(CNA, Aug. 12, 2010) The government will continue to take a pragmatic approach toward Taiwan's participation in specialized agencies of the United Nations this year, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang said.

China's Rise and Domestic Issues

China ‘Hukou’ System Deemed Outdated As Way of Controlling Access to Services By Keith B. Richburg (Washington Post, Aug. 15, 2010) Some economists here say the hukou system is outdated and unsuited to a modern economy that requires the free movement of labor. Others call it "China's apartheid," saying it has created a two-tiered system of haves and have-nots in all the major cities.

Regional Issues and Japan Policy

Chinese Admiral Says U.S., South Korea Drills ‘Fresh Provocation’ to China (Bloomberg, Aug. 12, 2010) A U.S. decision to use a nuclear- powered aircraft carrier in joint naval drills with South Korea in the Yellow Sea would be “a fresh provocation” to China and its surrounding region, Rear Admiral Yang Yi wrote in a commentary published in China Daily.

PLA Urges Tough Stance against US Exercises in Region
(Reuters, Aug. 13, 2010) China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) demanded a tough response to US plans to send an aircraft carrier to naval exercises near its coast, saying that “respect” was at stake.

The Gathering Storm: China’s Challenge to US Power in Asia By John Mearsheimer (University of Sydney, Aug. 4, 2010) The picture I have painted this evening of what is likely to happen if China continues its impressive economic growth is not a pretty one. Indeed, it is downright depressing.
Power Game in Asia Trips Nuclear Non-Proliferation By Harsh V. Pant (YaleGlobal, Aug. 12, 2010) While China plans to assist Pakistan’s nuclear program, even Japan, a long-time critic of proliferation, may now aid India’s nuclear program as a balancing act.
Sri Lankan Waters Run Deep with China By Sudha Ramachandran(Asia Times, Aug. 13, 2010) Economic and strategic reasons are behind China's interest in Sri Lanka. The island provides it with a market for its goods. More important is the strategic interest. It is located close to India's southern coast.
US Dips into Mekong Politics By Simon Roughneen(Asia Times, Aug. 14, 2010) China's dam-building on the upper reaches of the Mekong River is raising hackles with countries downstream and providing the United States with another strategic theater to counterbalance China's growing influence in Southeast Asia.

Taiwanese Boat Seized by Japan for Fishing EEZ
(Taipei Times, Aug. 11, 2010) A Taiwanese fishing boat was detained by Japanese authorities for fishing in its Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) but will soon be released after it agreed to pay a fine, an official said.

Japan Is Alone Over Yen By Michael Casey(Wall Street Journal, Aug. 13, 2010) The chances of any joint intervention by the Bank of Japan and the Federal Reserve this time are highly remote. Why? Because the Japan-U.S. trading relationship is nowhere near as important as the U.S.-China relationship.

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