Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Monday, 11 June 2012


Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Jun. 10, 2012)
For full text, click on the title or visit the TSR web page at taiwansecurity.org
China's Leadership Succession
Party Like It’s 1989 By Perry Link(Foreign Policy, Jun. 4, 2012) Now, a few months before Xi Jinping's expected ascension to the position of Communist Party chairman, it is worth asking whether Deng Xioping solved China’s succession problem in 1989.
Sino-Philippine Standoff in South China Sea
Taiwan-China Ties in South China Sea Concerns US
(Taipei Times, Jun. 6, 2012) While Panetta strongly encouraged further development in that direction, in more quiet settings, US officials are reportedly expressing reservations about possible cooperation between Taiwan and China on military issues, including South China Sea disputes and an eventual mutual-trust mechanism.
Obama Expresses Support for Philippines in China Rift By Mark Landler (New York Times, Jun. 9, 2012) In a meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III, President Obama said the two countries would “consult closely together” as part of the “pivot by the United States back to Asia.”
Sea Tensions Deepen with China’s Rise By James Hookway(Wall Street Journal, Jun. 7, 2012) Here among the azure waters of the South China Sea, China is learning how hard it is to win friends and allies to accompany its rise as a world economic power.
Hang on, Leviathan, Hang on By Eric X. Li(New York Times, Jun. 4, 2012) Here in the Asia Pacific region, amid the rising tension and fighting fishermen backed up by gunboats, the quarreling parties have one thing in common: They are all screaming, loudly or quietly, “Hang on, Leviathan — for a while longer!”
Panetta Detailed U.S. Rebalancing toward Asia
China Says Hopes U.S. Will Respect Concern Over Naval Shift
(Reuters, Jun. 4, 2012) China’s Foreign Ministry said it hoped the United States will respect Beijing’s regional interests, after the U.S. defense secretary announced plans to shift most of his country’s warships to the Asia-Pacific by 2020.
Gov’t Welcomes US Plan for More Warships in Asia
(CNA, Jun. 4, 2012) Taiwan welcomes the United States' recent commitment to shift a greater number of warships to the Asia-Pacific region over the next few years, a defense official said.
China State Papers Warn U.S. Strategy Risks Rifts
(Reuters, Jun. 5, 2012) China’s top newspapers warned that the United States’ plan to bolster its naval presence in the Asia-Pacific region threaten to widen rifts between the two big powers.
Is America Pivoting to Asia Fast Enough? By James Holmes(Foreign Policy, Jun. 4, 2012) From a political standpoint, it's far easier to adjust U.S. deployment patterns gradually as circumstances warrant. More abrupt -- or more menacing -- change in the Indo-Pacific would clear minds. And that would clear the obstacles to more dramatic action. China should take note.
US 1, China 0 By Ralph A. Cossa(PacNet #35, Jun. 6, 2012) “US 1, China 0.” This was the unofficial headline out of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this past weekend.
An Arms Race America Can’t Win By Robert Haddick(Foreign Policy, Jun. 8, 2012) The United States has no chance in ship-for-ship showdown with China. Luckily, it shouldn’t have to have one.
Cross-Strait Issues
MAC Urges China to Face Tiananmen
(Taipei Times, Jun. 4, 2012) The Mainland Affairs Council called on China to reform its political system with resolve, wisdom and compassion, as well as to face historical facts concerning the Tiananmen Square Massacre and reflect on their significance for the development of democracy and human rights in China.
Ma Hopes Beijing Will Improve Rights
(Taipei Times, Jun. 5, 2012) Ma said he would continue to express concern over democratic development in China, which he described as the best way to help reduce the psychological distance between the people of the two sides of the Strait.
Chinese Rules for Pingtan Project ‘One-sided’: MAC
(CNA, Jun. 8, 2012) A raft of 16 regulations Chinese officials published designed to attract Taiwanese investment in an experimental project in Pingtan, Fujian province are one-sided, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said.
U.S. Policy and Sino-U.S. Engagement
U.S. Congressman Pushes for Taiwan Advisory Commission
(CNA, Jun. 8, 2012) An American congressman has introduced legislation proposing that an advisory commission be established in the legislative branch to review the implementation of United States policy under the Taiwan Relations Act.
China. There, I Said It By J. Randy Forbes(PacNet #34, Jun. 5, 2012) We are engaged in an extended peacetime competition with the PRC that at its heart is a clash of visions for the international system.
PLA, Military Balance and Arms Sales
Missiles Threaten Airfields: Report By William Lowther(Taipei Times, Jun. 6, 2012) A new report from the American Enterprise Institute concludes it is “increasingly likely” in a time of war that Chinese missiles would shut down Taiwan’s airfields, preventing Taipei from controlling the Taiwan Strait.
China to Carry Out Manned Space Flight
(BBC, Jun. 9, 2012) China has announced it will carry out a manned space flight at some point in the middle of June.
Taiwan Holds Live-fire Exercise
(CNA, Jun. 7, 2012) President Ma took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to national defense and Taiwan’s three-prong defense strategy.
UN Arms Trade Treaty May Put Taiwan at Risk By William Lowther(Taipei Times, Jun. 10, 2012) Washington-based academics are warning US President Barack Obama not to sign the UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) because it could make it more difficult to sell weapons to Taiwan. Arms Trade Treaty Could Jeopardize U.S. Ability to Provide for Taiwan’s Defense
U.S. Beef Row, Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
US Official Sees Chances to Restart TIFA Talks: Gov’t
(China Post, Jun. 4, 2012) The United States has sent a strong signal that Washington and Taipei may revive talks on the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) soon in light of positive progress concerning the U.S. beef issue.
Solution to US Beef Standoff Necessary for Commerce: Ma
(China Post, Jun. 6, 2012) Taiwan will continuously make efforts to solve the U.S. beef import issue, so as to actively take part in the integration of Asia-Pacific economies, President Ma Ying-jeou said.
MOFA Urges Lawmakers to Prioritize TIFA Talks
(China Post, Jun. 6, 2012) In response to opposition lawmakers' accusations that the resumption of TIFA talks would not have significant meaning since the framework is nothing but an “empty shell,” MOFA stressed that the platform is an important bilateral dialogue mechanism that could contribute a great deal to Taiwan's trade.
Ma Calls for KMT Unity on Beef Vote
(Taipei Times, Jun. 8, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou warned of grave consequences for Taiwan’s economic and trade liberalization if the bill failed to clear the legislature. More People Support Beef Imports: Poll
President Asks for Su’s US Beef Row Solution
(China Post, Jun. 9, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou released a statement yesterday asking Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Su Tseng-chang to provide his own concrete solution to the U.S.-Taiwan predicament over beef imports.
President Ma, KMT Reject Zero-tolerance ‘European Union Model’ for Beef Imports (China Post, Jun. 10, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou warned against using the so-called “EU model” championed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regarding U.S. beef imports.
Ma Need to Lead Better, AmCham Says
(Taipei Times, Jun. 6, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou needs to improve his leadership acumen and communication prowess to win public support for major government reforms, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei said.
Ma Defends the Nation’s Participation in WHA
(Taipei Times, Jun. 7, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou defended Taiwan’s participation in the annual World Health Assembly.
China's Rise and Its Domestic Issues
Tens of Thousands Turn Up for Tiananmen Vigil in Hong Kong
(China Real Time Report, Jun. 5, 2012) As censors in mainland China worked overtime to muzzle online discussion of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, a massive crowd in Hong Kong—including some mainland visitors—took advantage of the city’s freedoms to publicly remember the event.
SCO Summit and Other Regional Issues
Russia’s Putin Says to Push Military Ties with China
(Reuters, Jun. 6, 2012) Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will boost military cooperation with China, including holding more joint exercises, after the United States announced plans to shift most of its warships to the Asia-Pacific by 2020.
A Partnership of Convenience By Bobo Lo(New York Times, Jun. 8, 2012) Russia and China differ fundamentally in their views of the world and what they want from each other. These differences do not prevent cooperation in certain areas, but they ensure a relationship that is defined principally by its limitations.
Beijing Pushes for Greater Central Asian Role in Stabilizing Afghanistan (Wall Street Journal, Jun. 6, 2012) China President Hu Jintao called for greater efforts by China, Russia and Central Asian nations to help stabilize Afghanistan to prevent wider regional disruptions, underscoring the group's broader aspirations for a coordinated response on security issues—as well as its worries.
In Central Asia, Public Cooperation and Private Rivalry By Alexander Cooley (New York Times, Jun. 9, 2012) On the surface, the 12th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing was a striking success. But a close look at the summit reveals a growing rivalry among core members.
Australia Urges China to Be More Open about Its Military Capabilities (Australian, Jun. 6, 2012) Speaking in Beijing, Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith sought to assuage Chinese concerns over Australia's strategic stance towards China. The move follows revelations that a secret chapter in the 2009 defense white paper focused on Australia's ability to fight an air-sea battle alongside the US against China.
US$1.5bn Chinese-built Deep-sea Port Opens in Sri Lanka
(AFP, Jun. 7, 2012) Sri Lanka’s first Chinese-built port, a strong symbol of Beijing’s investment in South Asia, opened for international shipping with the handling of 1,000 cars from India.
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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 03:00