Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Sunday, 5 June 2011

Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Jun. 5, 2011)

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

Shangri-La Dialogue

Gates Talks of Boosting Asian Security Despite Budget Cuts
(New York Times, Jun. 3, 2011) Mr. Gates noted the balance sought by the United States between its obligations to defend Taiwan from aggression and its desire for cordial ties with

China

F-16s Subject to PRC Sensitivities: Gates By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, Jun. 4, 2011) “Right now, every other American treaty ally is wondering if US security guarantees are being affected by Washington’s consideration of

China

’s sensitivities,” Rick Fisher said. “If there was ever an American policy statement that deserved public repudiation, this is it.”

U.S. Won’t Become Isolationist, Gates Tells Worried Asian Leaders By Thom Shanker (New York Times, Jun. 4, 2011) Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pledged that the United States would sustain its military presence and diplomatic involvement in Asia.

China Pledges Peace in Sea Territorial Disputes
(CNN, Jun. 5, 2011) China reassured its neighbors Sunday that it will maintain "peace and stability" in the turbulent South China Sea, a day after the U.S. renewed concerns over territorial disputes.

The 22nd Anniversary of Tiananmen Incident

Beijing Police Mull Compensation for Tiananmen Dead
(AFP, Jun. 1, 2011) Chinese police have for the first time raised the possibility of compensation for those killed in the crushing of the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests, families of victims said.

Tsai Calls for More Measures to Support Democracy in China
(Taipei Times, Jun. 2, 2011) Taiwan must remain committed to

China

’s democratic movement and take more substantial measures as cross-strait ties deepen, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said.

Taiwan President Tells China Democracy “No Disaster”
(Reuters, Jun. 4, 2011) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou told China that the transition from authoritarianism to democracy can only bring stability, urging Beijing on the 22nd anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown to release dissidents. President’s Statement on 22nd Anniversary of Tiananmen Incident

US Urges China to Respect Rights
(AFP, Jun. 5, 2011) The US on Friday urged China to free opponents and respect the basic rights of its citizens, 22 years after the authoritarian state crushed a democracy uprising in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

Hong Kong Remembers Tiananmen As Beijing Cracks Down By Andrew Higgins (Washington Post, Jun. 4, 2011) In the one small patch of China that nurtures memories the Communist Party wants buried, tens of thousands gathered Saturday night in Hong Kong to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

Arab Spring and China

Inner Mongolia Beset by Ethnic Conflict
(CNN, Jun. 3, 2011) There is high tension in Inner Mongolia, China's strategic frontier region, where the deaths of two Mongolians have triggered rare street protests.

If Protests and Crackdowns Continue, China Risks Dark Future By Max Fisher (The Atlantic, Jun. 2, 2011) China's dilemma is the same one experienced by autocratic regimes across the globe: a too-successful crackdown risks creating only more dissent, which will require even stronger crackdowns.

Chinese Citizens Challenge the Party’s Authoritarian Tilt By Willy Lam (China Brief 11(10), Jamestown Foundation, Jun. 3, 2011) In what pundits have billed as a battle between David and Goliath, Chinese citizens appear to be pushing back on the all-powerful party-and-state apparatus that increasingly seems out of touch with popular aspirations.

China’s Adaptive Approach to the Information Counter-Revolution By Peter Mattis (China Brief 11(10), Jamestown Foundation, Jun. 3, 2011) The Chinese Ministry of Public Security announced a series of new measures that closely follow the central government's draconian response to stamp out jasmine-related events in 13 different cities after the Arab spring.

Advice for China By Thomas L. Friedman(New York Times, Jun. 5, 2011) If you want to know what brings about revolutions, it is not G.D.P. rising or falling, says Aron, “it is the quest for dignity.”

Cross-Strait Issues

Ma Advocates Cross-Strait Mutual Non-denial
(CNA, May 31, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should not deny or repudiate each other's existence, in order to facilitate cross-strait engagement and promote regional peace.

China Ties Provide Lines of Defense: Ma
(CNA, Jun. 2, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou identified what he described as “three lines of defense” for Taiwan: institutionalized relations with mainland China,

Taiwan

’s soft power, and international support for the country.

Individual China Visitors to Arrive in June
(China Post, Jun. 2, 2011) Mainland Chinese tourists will be allowed to visit

Taiwan

as individual travelers by the end of June, according to informed sources.

PLA and Arms Sales

PLA Developing Joint Operations Capability (Part Two): Military Training Coordination Zones By Kevin McCauley (China Brief 11(10), Jamestown Foundation, Jun. 3, 2011) Military Training Coordination Zones have been established to support and promote integrated joint training and experimentation. These training zones play an important role in supporting the joint exercises in each Military Region and further the development of the military’s integrated joint operations capability.

Taiwan Subs Plan Tests the Waters By Jens Kastner(Asia Times, Jun. 1, 2011) To help speed up a long-awaited arms deal, Taiwan has decided to accept a United States proposal that Taipei buy four diesel-electric submarines instead of eight, according to local media.

Taiwan's Foreign Relations

Taiwan Could Punish Philippines Over ‘One China’ Ruling
(China Post, Jun. 1, 2011) The diplomatic row between Taiwan and the Philippines could resurface after a recent Manila court ruling that claimed the country's decision to deport 14 Taiwanese suspects to China as “proper” and based on its“One China policy.”

China's Rise and Domestic Issues

Google Says Hackers in China Stole Gmail Passwords By Aaron Back (New York Times, Jun. 2, 2011) Google said that the hacked accounts included those of senior American government officials and political activists.

China Rejects Google Allegation of Massive Hacking Breach As ‘Fabrication’ By Cecilia Kang and Ellen Nakashima (Washington Post, Jun. 2, 2011) Google’s allegation that hackers based in China accessed hundreds of Gmail accounts, including some belonging to senior U.S. officials, drew angry denials from Chinese government officials.

Ambitious Plan for China’s Water Crisis Spurs Concern By Edward Wong (New York Times, Jun. 2, 2011) The engineering feat, called the South-North Water Diversion Project, is

China

’s most ambitious attempt to subjugate nature.

Japan Policy

Poll Shows Most Japanese Feel Affection for Taiwan
(CNA, Jun. 3, 2011) Well over half of Japan’s citizens feel affection for Taiwan, while an overwhelming majority of them believe relations between the two countries are in good shape, a recent opinion poll showed.