Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Tuesday 14 August 2012


Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Aug. 12, 2012)
For full text, click on the title or visit the TSR web page at taiwansecurity.org
Dear readers:
As always, thank you for your continous support of the Taiwan Security Research (TSR). Since Dr. Philip Yang, TSR's founder, left the academia to work for the government, TSR has been denied access to fundings from Taiwan's National Science Foundation and the National Taiwan University. Fortunately, Dr. Chi Su (蘇起) of the Taipei Forum has generously committed to supporting TSR not only on its finance but also on its mission, enabling TSR to continue its timely, objective, and non-profit service to all readers. TSR has officially become a member of the Taipei Forum since January 1, 2012. From TSR's operatoin in the past few months, we hope readers find that TSR, just as its funding source Taipei Forum, maintains its non-partisan stands and remains living up to its mission of providing balanced information concerning peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region. We hope readers will kindly continue advising and supporting TSR.
Best regards,
Dalton Lin
Bo Xilai Scandal and China's Leadership Succession
Top Chinese Leaders Gather in Annual Summer Conclave
(Wall Street Journal, Aug. 5, 2012) Vice President Xi Jinping met officials and academics advising the government in the northeastern beach resort of Beidaihe, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
Hu Jintao Pushes for Ally’s Promotion to Ensure Legacy: Sources By Benjamin Kang Lim and Ben Blanchard (Reuters, Aug. 10, 2012) Chinese President Hu Jintao is maneuvering to promote one of his closest allies to the Chinese Communist Party’s inner sanctum, two independent sources said, in a bid to retain clout and preserve his legacy after retiring as party chief.
China’s Top Future Leaders to Watch: Biographical Sketches of Possible Members of the Post-2012 Politburo (Part 2) By Cheng Li (China Leadership Monitor #38, Hoover Institution, Aug. 6, 2012) This series will provide concise and primarily fact-based biographies for 25 to 30 possible members of the next Politburo.
Party Bristles at Military’s Push for More Sway in China By Edward Wong and Jonathan Ansfield (New York Times, Aug. 8, 2012) A series of events this year have fueled concerns among Communist Party leaders over the level of control they exercise over military officials, who are growing more outspoken and desire greater influence over policy and politics.
Chinese Trial Is Test for Party Elite By Jeremy Page(Wall Street Journal, Aug. 7, 2012) If the Gang of Four trial was designed to assign blame for a decade of murderous chaos, without implicating the Communist Party or Mao himself, then this week's courtroom drama is a similar balancing act for Chinese leaders facing their worst political scandal in years.
Gu Kailai Trial Has Ended
(Wall Street Journal, Aug. 9, 2012) The murder trial for the wife of ousted Chinese politician Bo Xilai ended shortly after it began after she raised no objection to charges that she administered poison to a British national in the belief that he posed a threat to her son.
South China Sea Disputes
China Asserts Sea Claim with Politics and Ships By Jane Perlez(New York Times, Aug. 12, 2012) In the past several weeks, China has steadily increased its pressure, sending patrols with bigger ships and issuing persistent warnings in government-controlled newspapers for Washington to stop supporting its Asian friends against China.
Is China Losing the Diplomatic Plot? By Kishore Mahbubani(Project Syndicate, Aug. 7, 2012) China’s previous leaders had calculated that a strong and unified ASEAN provided a valuable buffer against any possible US containment strategy. Now, by dividing ASEAN, China has provided the US with its best possible geopolitical opportunity in the region.
Time for Taiwan to Take Action By Joseph Bosco(Taipei Times, Aug. 6, 2012) Taipei can start by doing what China academics have long urged Beijing to do: Discard the amorphous and incoherent “historical” over-reach and state the precise scope of its claims and their basis under specific provisions of UNCLOS.
Taiwan Jumps into South China Sea Fray By Brendan O’Reilly(Asia Times, Aug. 9, 2012) Both the mainland-based PRC and the ROC maintain the same "nine-dotted line" claim to the vast majority of the South China Sea. It is important to note that the current official policy of both Taipei and Beijing is that there is "one China", and both governments strongly agree on Chinese sovereignty in the South China Sea.
Outlaw of the Sea By Thomas Wright(Foreign Affairs, Aug. 7, 2012) A strong multilateral structure in Asia is a prerequisite to balancing Chinese assertiveness. The United States should not take sides in other countries' disputes, but it can and must insist upon a strong regional framework to ensure that a rising China does not destabilize the status quo.
U.S. "Pivot" and Sino-U.S. Engagement
US Must Co-operate with China, Says Keating By Daniel Flitton(Sydney Morning Herald, Aug. 6, 2012) The United States can never expect to win a land war in Asia and should strive to co-operate with a rising China rather than confront Beijing, says Paul Keating.
Chinese Leadership and Elite Responses to the U.S. Pacific Pivot By Michael Swaine (China Leadership Monitor #38, Hoover Institution, Aug. 6, 2012) This article takes a close look at the Chinese reactions to Washington’s increased stress on Asia, including Chinese assessments of the perceived implications of this policy shift for the region and for China in particular.
Diaoyutai Disputes Resurface
Survey Ship Harassed by Japanese in Taiwan’s Economic Zone: MOFA (CNA, Aug. 7, 2012) A marine survey ship that cut short its mission a day early after being harassed by a Japanese Coast Guard aircraft was in a part of Taiwan's exclusive economic zone that overlaps with Japan's, an official said.
US Expects Peaceful Effort to Resolve Diaoyutai Issue
(Taipei Times, Aug. 7, 2012) The US expects the territorial dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands to be addressed through peaceful means, a US official said.
US to Deploy Drones Over Diaoyutais
(Taipei Times, Aug. 8, 2012) The US will use its most advanced unmanned reconnaissance aircraft to monitor Chinese activity in waters surrounding the Diaoyutai Islands, Japanese media are reporting.
Japan ‘Positive’ about Ma’s Proposal
(Taipei Times, Aug. 8, 2012) Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba told a press conference in Tokyo that it was an option that countries cooperate to maintain peace in the region.
Peace Initiative Enhances Taiwan’s Voice in Tiaoyutai Row: Expert By Elaine Hou (CNA, Aug. 6, 2012) Taiwan's proposal of a peace initiative to address the territorial dispute over the Tiaoyutai Islands has helped strengthen the country's voice in dealing with the issue, a Taiwanese scholar said.
Ma’s Proposal Offers Way Forward By Edward Chen(Taipei Times, Aug. 10, 2012) Given the timing, Ma’s proposal is probably precisely what Beijing and Tokyo want. However, they cannot admit this. It is also what the US wants, but cannot ask for.
Ma Denies Media Speculation Over Admiral’s Censure
(China Post, Aug. 9, 2012) The Presidential Office denied media allegations that a Navy fleet commander was removed from his post due to external pressure.
Cross-Strait Issues
Chiang-Chen Summit Kicks off Today
(China Post, Aug. 9, 2012) With the eighth Chiang-Chen summit kicking off today, agreements related to protection and incentives for investors will be authorized and signed.
Taiwan, China Sign Investment Protection Pact
(AP, Aug. 9, 2012) Taiwan and China signed an investment protection pact Thursday, another step on the road to closer business ties that so far seems to be falling short of promises to energize Taiwan's sputtering economy.
Chinese Envoy, MAC Head Talk
(Taipei Times, Aug. 10, 2012) ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin said the next round of cross-strait talks could address the issue of setting up offices across the Taiwan Strait.
DPP Forgoes Protest in Favor of ‘Monitoring’ for Cross-Strait Meet
(China Post, Aug. 7, 2012) The DPP has decided to engage in “moderate monitoring” of the eighth Chiang-Chen meeting, the party said.
Hong Named DPP China Affairs Director
(Taipei Times, Aug. 7, 2012) Economist Honigmann Hong was appointed director of the DPP’s Department of China Affairs as DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang filled the last three remaining spots of department heads.
DPP Revives China Affairs Department
(China Post, Aug. 12, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou's cross-strait policy aims to separate economic issues from political disputes, but Hung Lung-tsai, chief of DPP’s new China department, said that the separation is not possible. He maintained that it is increasingly important to emphasize Taiwan's autonomy amid the quick rise of China.
Taiwanese Independence More Popular, Survey Says
(Taipei Times, Aug. 11, 2012) The latest poll (Chinese) shows the highest level of support that the idea of gradual independence has seen in the survey’s six-year history.
Military Balance
Ex-US Pacific Commander to Visit Taiwan in August
(CNA, Aug. 6, 2012) The former top U.S. commander in the Asia-Pacific region will visit Taiwan in mid-August to meet with high-level officials on foreign and security affairs, informed sources said.
Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
Treaty Clear on Taiwan, Ma Says
(Taipei Times, Aug. 6, 2012) The president said the Treaty of Taipei spelled out very clearly that Taiwan was handed to the Republic of China after the conclusion of World War II.
Ma Ask US to Resume TIFA Talks
(Taipei Times, Aug. 7, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou told US Assistant Secretary of State Jose Fernandez that he hopes Taiwan and the US would resume talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and put bilateral trade negotiations back on track.
‘Beef Bill’ Rebuilds Bilateral Trade Confidence: US Official
(China Post, Aug. 8, 2012) The Legislative Yuan's passage of amendments to a food safety act that pave the way for Taiwan to import U.S. beef containing a leanness-enhancing drug is an important step to rebuild confidence in bilateral trade relationships, a visiting senior U.S. economic official said.
Premier to Head Task Force for FTA Promotion
(China Post, Aug. 12, 2012) Premier Sean Chen said that he will personally head the “international economic and trade strategic alliance deployment” task force to promote the signing of free trade agreements and economic cooperation agreements with foreign trade partners.
China's Rise and Its Domestic Issues
How Weibo Is Changing China By Mary Kay Magistad(YaleGlobal, Aug. 9, 2012) Weibo, China’s microblog that’s celebrating its third anniversary this month, offers a national platform for ordinary citizens to hold the powerful to account. Government officials are finding that rapid, reasonable response to valid criticisms is better received than censorship.
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Posted by Roberto Abraham Scaruffi at 16:16