Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

 

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Regional Issues U.S.-China Engagement People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Arms Sales & Military Balance China’s Rise: China’s Economic and Social Developments ‘One China,’ ‘Status Quo,’ and ‘Taiwan Independence’ Taiwan’s Party Politics Chen’s Legacy and Ma Era Exchange Rates and Internationalization of RMB Korean Peninsula Crises Chiang-Chen Talks Gulf of Aden and China’s Blue Water Navy ECFA and FTAs Google and China   [ News ] [ Papers ] Taiwanese to Decide Own Future: Ma (Taipei Times, Jan. 2, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said in his New Year’s address that Taiwan’s future should be decided by its 23 million people and that both sides of the Taiwan Strait must not fight over political power, but work together for core values. ECFA ‘Early Harvest’ List Tariff Cuts Come into Effect (Bloomberg, Jan. 2, 2011) Taiwan and China lowered import tariffs on more than 800 products yesterday under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA). Ma Is Confused about Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen Says (Taipei Times, Jan. 2, 2011) In a New Year’s Day statement, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said she found it incomprehensible that President Ma Ying-jeou seems confused as to the definition of the country he governs. Ma Urges Taiwan, China to Work Together to Improve Democracy, Human Rights (Bloomberg, Jan. 1, 2011) Taiwan and China should focus on striving for freedom, democracy and human rights, without fighting over unification or independence, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said in his New Year address. Building up Taiwan, Invigorating Chinese Heritage—Presient Ma’s New Year’s Day Message DPP Takes legal Action Over Election-Eve Shooting (China Post, Jan. 1, 2011) The main opposition Democratic Progressive Party decided to take legal action to void the results of “unfair” mayoral races in three special municipalities because of an election-eve shooting. Chinese President Delivers New Year Address, Economic Work on Top Agenda (Xinhua, Dec. 31, 2011) Chinese President Hu Jintao put the country's economic tasks on top of next year's agenda in a New Year address. Taiwan-US Trade Talks Scheduled for January (CNA, Dec. 31, 2010) A new round of talks under the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) will be held in Taipei in the second half of January, Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said. Ma’s Office Queries Tsai on ‘1992’ (Taipei Times, Dec. 30, 2010) The Presidential Office challenged DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen to explain how she intends to negotiate with China if she continues to deny the existence of the so-called “1992 consensus.” China to Open Six New Service Sectors to Taiwan (China Post, Dec. 30, 2010) Starting Jan.1, six more mainland service industries, namely design, medical, aircraft maintenance, banking, securities and insurance, will open to Taiwanese companies, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Ma Calls DPP ‘Impractical’ for Attitude on Consensus (Taipei Times, Dec. 29, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou accused the Democratic Progressive Party of being “impractical” for denying the existence of the so-called “1992 consensus,” saying the term was key to cross-strait negotiations. China’s Anti-Aircraft Carrier Missile ‘Closer to Completion’ (Chosun Ilbo, Dec. 29, 2010) China is getting closer to building a ballistic missile designed to sink aircraft carriers, the chief of the U.S. Pacific Command claimed. China Engagement to Boost Taiwan’s Economy in 2011 (AP, Dec. 28, 2010) Taiwan's economy is projected to grow a strong 4.5 percent in 2011 as its improving relations with China will likely continue to bring major economic benefits to the island, Taiwan's top economic planner said. Defense Minister Says Modern Warfare Capabilities Rises, China Daily Reports (Bloomberg, Dec. 28, 2010) China’s Defense Minister LiangGuanglie said the ability of the nation’s military to engage in modern warfare has increased “sharply,” the China Daily reported. Nearly 80% Will Voluntarily Defend Country: Survey (CNA, Dec. 28, 2010)  Deputy Defense Minister Chao Shih-chang confirmed the results of a poll that showed 76.5 percent of respondents will voluntarily fight for their country if it comes under military threat. MAC Urges Name Change for HK Office (Taipei Times, Dec. 28, 2010) The Mainland Affairs Council urged Hong Kong authorities to rectify the name of Taiwan’s representative office in the territory, saying doing so would be an indicator of improved bilateral ties. So-called ‘1992 Consensus’ a Fabrication: Lee Teng-hui (Taipei Times, Dec. 28, 2010) Former president Lee Teng-hui once again denied the existence of the so-called “1992 consensus” allegedly reached by cross-strait representatives almost two decades ago. New Anti-Submarine Aircraft to Enter Service in ’11: Report (AFP, Dec. 27, 2010) The first of a dozen anti-submarine aircraft are set to go into service in Taiwan next year, local media reported, as East Asian governments look to counter an increasingly assertive China. China Quietly Extends Its Footprints Deep into Central Asia ByEdward Wong (New York Times, Jan. 3, 2011) While China is seizing the spotlight in East and Southeast Asia with its widening economic footprint and muscular diplomacy, it is also quietly making its presence felt on its western flank, once primarily Russia’s domain. China’s Naval Ambitions (Editorial, New York Times, Jan. 2, 2010)  What should rightly concern American military planners is not so much the missile but the new Chinese naval strategy behind it. When Innovation, Too, Is Made in China By Steve Lohr (New York Times, Jan. 2, 2011) As a national strategy, China is trying to build an economy that relies on innovation rather than imitation. China Respects European Unity By Jonas Parello-Plesner(PacNet #62, Pacific Forum, CSIS, Dec. 21, 2010) EU member-states need to move China up the policy agenda and act in unison if they want to reap the benefits of stronger ties to China and avoid being divided and ultimately ruled. Why China’s Missiles Should Be Our Focus By Mark Stokes and Dan Blumenthal (Washington Post, Jan. 2, 2011) With the New START treaty ratified, the Obama administration can turn its attention to the real source of nuclear instability among the great powers: China's buildup of conventional ballistic missiles. PRC’s Fifth-Generation Jet Pictures Cause Stir in US By WilliamLowther (Taipei Times, Jan. 1, 2011) In what has caused a major stir within the Pentagon, Beijing Internet censors earlier this week allowed high-resolution photographs of the Chengdu Aircraft Corp stealth fighter to be published for the first time. Year-end Symposium Reviews Politics, Economy (CNA, Dec. 31, 2010) The signing of a historic trade pact with China and fierce competition in the five special municipality elections were the most significant developments in Taiwan this year, scholars said in a year-end symposium in which they also predicted a tumultuous year ahead. Taiwan’s Central American Allies Expand China Ties By MicaRosenberg and Alex Leff (Reuters, Dec. 30, 2010) Friendlier ties betweenTaiwan and China are allowing Central American nations to deepen economic links with the communist giant, increasing Chinese influence in a region dominated by the United States. Expert Downplays PRC Threat to Taiwan By William Lowther (Taipei Times, Dec. 30, 2010) A US military expert is playing down the threat to Taiwan of China’s new DF-21D ballistic anti-ship missile, which is said to be capable of sinking an aircraft carrier. KMT Slows Pace of Cross-Strait Ties By Ko Shu-ling (Taipei Times, Dec. 27, 2010) The Mainland Affairs Council caught the public’s attention after it ran advertisements in Chinese-language media promoting the Republic of China flag, to coincide with the sixth round of high-level cross-strait talks.