Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Monday, 4 June 2012


Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Jun. 3, 2012)
For full text, click on the title or visit the TSR web page at taiwansecurity.org
Bo Xilai's Ouster and China's Leadership Succession
China’s Political Storm By Brahma Chellaney(Project Syndicate, June 1, 2012) China's future no longer looks to be determined by its hugely successful economy, which has turned the country into a world power in a single generation. Instead, the country's murky and increasingly fractured politics are now driving its fate.
Sino-Philippine Standoff in South China Sea
China’s Defense Minister Calls on Manila to Show Restraint
(China Daily, May 30, 2012) Defense Minister Liang Guanglie urged the Philippines to show "discretion in both words and deeds" over the Huangyan Island issue and make tangible steps toward regional peace and stability.
Panetta Detailed U.S. Rebalancing toward Asia
The Evolving Maritime Security Environment in East Asia: Implications for the US-Japan Alliance By Michael McDevitt (PacNet #33, Pacific Forum, CSIS, May 31, 2012) It seems likely that for the foreseeable future, the region will witness a “military capabilities competition”: as China introduces capabilities that could deny access, the US, probably via the Air Sea Battle concept, will introduce capabilities that will assure access.
U.S. to Strengthen ‘Power Projection’
(Wall Street Journal, Jun. 1, 2012) The U.S. plans to strengthen its "power projection" in Asia, helping allies and partners to train regional militaries with a renewed emphasis on using American military forces rotating through the region, the top Pentagon official said.
Panetta Outlines New Weaponry for Pacific By Jane Perlez(New York Times, Jun. 2, 2012) Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, seeking to persuade a skeptical audience of Asian officials that the United States is committed to enhancing its military presence in the region despite coming budget constraints, unveiled the most detailed inventory to date of planned new weapons for the region.
Leon Panetta: China Should Not Fear New US Military Focus on Asia-Pacific (AP, Jun. 2, 2012) n an address in Singapore, Panetta appeared to offer an olive branch to China, suggesting that the two often-feuding world powers must learn to work better together for the benefit of the entire region.
‘No Alternative’ but to Boost China Military Ties: US
(AFP, Jun. 3, 2012) There is “no other alternative” for the US and China but to boost military-to-military relations to manage disputes, US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said.
US Defense Secretary Praises Cross-Strait Ties
(CNA, Jun. 3, 2012) U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta praised warming relations between Taiwan and China in a speech explaining the United States' new defense strategy and its shift in emphasis to the Asia-Pacific region.
Cross-Strait Issues
China Not Surprised by Ma’s ‘1 ROC, 2 Areas’
(China Post, May 31, 2012) Beijing said that it was not surprised by President Ma Ying-jeou's recent reiteration of the “one Republic of China, two areas” stance.
China Happy with Progress of Cross-Strait Ties: Ex-AIT Chief
(CNA, May 31, 2012) Chinese authorities are pleased with the progress of relations across the Taiwan Strait, former American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Richard Bush said.
Ma Defends ‘One ROC, Two Areas’
(Taipei Times, Jun. 1, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou defended his use of the “one country, two areas” formula for defining cross-strait relations, saying the “one Republic of China, two areas” concept is the foundation for cross-strait relations as defined by the ROC Constitution.
‘Two Sides’ of the Strait a Geographic Term: Wu Den-yih
(Taipei Times, Jun. 2, 2012) Vice President Wu Den-yih has suggested in an interview that “two sides across the Taiwan Strait” should be defined as a geographic term, rather than a political one.
Ma ‘Hopeful’ about Mainland’s Next Leader
(Reuters, Jun. 2, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou said he was hopeful China's next rulers would maintain improving relations and that anointed leader Xi Jinping's understanding of cross-strait issues would help keep economic cooperation on track.
New DPP Head Termed Pragmatic Conservative
(China Daily, May 28, 2012) The newly elected chairman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the DPP, Su Tseng-chang, will be “pragmatic” but less likely to alter the party’s stance on cross-Straits relations, experts said.
Su Extends Olive Branch to China
(Taipei Times, May 29, 2012) The DPP will take a flexible approach to China and will re-open its department of China affairs, incoming party chairman Su Tseng-chang has announced.
Cross-Strait Pact to Cover Private, Gov’t Rows: MOEA
(China Post, May 28, 2012) The arbitration of private-to-private (P2P) and private-to-government (P2G) disputes will both be incorporated into the investor's protection agreement to be signed between Taiwan and China, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said.
U.S. Policy and Sino-U.S. Engagement
India and China—‘Double-Trouble’ for the U.S. By Andrew Browne(China Real Times Report, May 29, 2012) Far from being a “balancer” to China, the rise of India could mean “double trouble” for Washington.
China Arrests Security Official on Suspicion of Spying for U.S.
(Reuters, Jun. 1, 2012) A Chinese security official has been arrested on suspicion of spying for the United States, sources said.
PLA, Military Balance and Arms Sales
New Chinese Ship Causes Alarm
(Taipei Times, May 31, 2012) By as early as 2014, the Chinese navy could have at its disposal a vessel that could dramatically change the face of an amphibious attack on Taiwan.
Missiles Deployed within Striking Range of China
(Taipei Times, May 29, 2012) Taiwan has for the first time deployed cruise missiles capable of striking key military bases along China’s southeastern coast, media reported.
Taipei May Be Rethinking Fighter Jet Needs
(CNA, May 30, 2012) F-35 stealth fighters are the new-generation combat aircraft that best serve the nation’s air defense needs, a military official said, he latest hint that the government might not be as keen to acquire the F-16C/Ds it has been requesting for years.
Taiwan Seeking Full Upgrade for F-16s from US
(Taipei Times, Jun. 1, 2012) A defense industry source said that Taiwan would seek the full US$5.2 billion upgrade, but would do so in two distinct phases.
Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
Taiwan’s President: Already Starting to Quack? By Jenny W. Hsu(China Real Time Report, Jun. 1, 2012) Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou’s second term is off to a rocky start and analysts say the road ahead will only get bumpier as he gets squeezed between growing public discontent and frequent squabbling within his own party.
New DPP Boss Rings in Changes
(Taipei Times, May 30, 2012) The DPP would re-establish a representative office in the US, as well as one in Japan, if possible, Su told reporters outside his office.
New DPP Chairman Su Makes 3 Promises
(China Post, May 31, 2012) On day one of his term as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, Su Tseng-chang said that his party can guarantee the Taiwanese people three things: self-determination, tolerance, and sustainable development.
Su Eyes Presidential Bid As Successful DPP Chairman By Chris Wang (Taipei Times, May 28, 2012) Now that Su Tseng-chang has cleared the first hurdle toward his ambition to run for the presidency in 2016, the internal and external challenges ahead will be daunting.
Economy Should Be Like Noah’s Ark: Lee Teng-hui
(Taipei Times, May 28, 2012) Taiwan’s economy should be built to resemble a vessel that is safe and durable like Noah’s Ark, rather than a Titanic that stresses speed and size and ignores the fundamentals, former president Lee Teng-hui wrote in a statement.
No TIFA without US Beef Solution: Lawmaker
(China Post, May 30, 2012) The de facto United States envoy to Taiwan has made it clear that the island's restrictions on the import of certain U.S. beef products have complicated the bilateral trade situation and could jeopardize the restarting of trade pact talks, a ruling Kuomintang lawmaker said.
China's Rise and Its Domestic Issues
Wave of Immolations Challenges Chinese Rule By Edward Wong(New York Times, Jun. 3, 2012) Because of unfair judgments, oppressive policies and discrimination, the Tibetan people feel isolated. The self-immolations are not the end. This is only the beginning.
China’s New Flexibility on Foreign Intervention By Johan Lagerkvist (YaleGlobal, May 29, 2012) China considers the following conditions before intervention: The issue goes before the UN Security Council; regional organizations approve; military actions could put Chinese economic influence at risk; the target area offers potential of energy or other resources; and the lives of Chinese citizens are at risk. Impact on China’s reputation is of less import.
Regional Issues and Japan Policy
China Denies Signing Military Supply Deal with ROK
(Xinhua, May 31, 2012) China denied signing an agreement regarding the exchange of military supplies with the Republic of Korea.
Japan, China to Begin Direct Currency Trading on June 1
(Xinhua, May 29, 2012) Japan and China will begin direct yen- yuan trading on June 1, Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi said, abandoning the existing system that determines yen-yuan rates via their U.S. dollar values.
Japan-China Currency Deal Aims High
(Kyodo, Jun. 3, 2012) China and Japan set their bilateral tensions aside in bid to make yen, yuan major global forces.
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Regards,
Dalton LinEditor, Taiwan Security Research
E-mail: daltonlin@ntu.edu.tw, Taiwan Security Research: taiwansecurity.org
Posted by Roberto Abraham Scaruffi at 02:23