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 CCP 18th Party Congress and China’s Leadership Transition Exchange Rates and Internationalization of RMB America’s Asia “Pivot” North Korea Crisis Chiang-Chen Talks China’s Blue Water Navy ECFA and FTAs DPP’s China Policy Debate China’s Economic Transition   [ News ] [ Papers ] US’ Campbell Asks China to Rethink New Passports (Taipei Times, Dec. 1, 2012) US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has formally asked China to rethink its new passports, which include a map showing Taiwan and the South China Sea as Chinese territory. Minister Urges Restraint Over South China Sea Spat (Taipei Times, Dec. 1, 2012) Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin urgedChina to exercise restraint and respect internationally recognized freedoms of navigation over a territorial row in the South China Sea. Senate Reaffirms US Support for Japan in Land Dispute withChina (VOA, Dec. 1, 2012) The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved an amendment that reaffirms Washington's commitment to Japan in its territorial dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea. China and US Military in Joint Disaster Exercise (AFP, Nov. 30, 2012) The Chinese and US militaries held joint disaster response exercises Friday, as Beijing increases its global reach and Washington continues its "pivot" to the Pacific. Pro-Taiwan Royce to Head US Foreign Committee (Taipei Times, Nov. 30 , 2012) US Representative Ed Royce, a strong supporter of Taiwan, has been officially chosen to become the next chairman of the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs. Military to Produce ‘Smart’ Mines for Invasion Defense (AFP, Nov. 30, 2012) The military is planning to make a new generation of “smart” mines that can be deployed in shallow water to boost its defenses against a potential invasion by China. Chinese Police Plan to Board Ships in Disputed Seas (Reuters, Nov. 29, 2012) Police in the southern Chinese island provinceof Hainan will board and search ships which enter into what Chinaconsiders its territorial waters in the disputed South China Sea, state media said. Su Looking to Fill DPP’s China Body (Taipei Times, Nov. 29, 2012) Su denied that his effort to fill up the roster of the committee, which he said would have seven to nine members, has suffered a “setback.” Taiwan, Japan to Hold Preparatory Meet for Fishery Talks Soon: MOFA (China Post, Nov. 28, 2012) A preparatory meeting for the long-stalled next round of Taiwan-Japan fishery talks will be held in Tokyo soon, with fishing boundaries around the disputed Diaoyutai Islands to top the agenda. Think Tank Proposes Use of Islands As ‘Gateway’ (Taipei Times, Nov. 28, 2012) A bold proposal by a pro-Taiwan independence think tank to make the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu a “gateway” for further cross-strait integration received a mixed response. More Than 50 Percent of Taiwanese Support DPP-China Exchange: Poll (CNA, Nov. 26, 2012) Over 50 percent of the respondents polled in a Taiwan Thinktank survey published Sunday support an exchange between the opposition DPP and the CPC, while less than 25 percent are against it. A New Map in Chinese Passports Stirs Anger Across the Region (IHT, Nov. 25, 2012) China’s new passports — embossed with a map showing disputed territories as belonging solely to the mainland — are causing quite the diplomatic furor in Asia. DPP Struggles to Form China Policy (Taipei Times, Nov. 25, 2012) The DPP continued to run into difficulties as it proceeded with its search for members for its China Affairs Committee, amid reports of dissent within the party. China Lands J-15 Jet on Liaoning Aircraft Carrier (BBC, Nov. 25, 2012) A Chinese-made fighter jet has landed on Beijing’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, official say. Tsai to Join China Affairs Committee (Taipei Times, Nov. 24, 2012) Former DPP chairperson Tsai Ing-wenhas agreed to join the party’s China Affairs Committee, while former premier Frank Hsieh has turned down the same offer. Taiwan Should Focus on RCEP, not TPP: Academics (Taipei Times, Nov. 24, 2012) Taiwan should focus on joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) instead of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), academics said. Su’s Self-appointment Bound to Spark Controversy: Chen (China Post, Nov. 23, 2012) DPP’s China Affairs Committee is bound to become an “anti-Chinese Communist Party Committee,” said Chen Sung-shan, ex-director of former President Chen Shui-bian's office. Group Slam Denial of Dalai Lama Visit (Taipei Times, Nov. 23, 2012) Officials did not give an explanation for the government’s decision to refuse the Tibetan spiritual leader a visa, other than to say it was not the right time. Su to Head DPP China Committee (Taipei Times, Nov. 22, 2012) Su Tseng-chang said he gave up his plan to have Frank Hsieh as convener because ‘it is the chairman’s responsibility to integrate different opinions.’ Obama Urges Restraint in Asian Territorial Disputes (Reuters, Nov. 21, 2012) US President Barack Obama urged Asian leaders to rein in tensions in the South China Sea and other disputed territories, but stopped short of firmly backing allies Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines in their disputes with China. US Policy Aims at Asia-Pacific Balance: Representative (Taipei Times, Nov. 21, 2012) The US’ Asia-Pacific policy aims to “create a proper balance” to ensure that “there is not one entity here that has too much influence in the region,” US representative Rob Wittmansaid. Taiwan, China Will Not Talk Soon: Academic (Taipei Times, Nov. 21, 2012) After its leadership change, China will prioritize establishing mutual trust across the Taiwan Strait before starting political talks, Alan Romberg said. US Delegation to Discuss Security: AIT (Taipei Times, Nov. 20, 2012) A US congressional delegation arrived inTaiwan as part of an Asia trip to discuss security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, the AIT said. Nation Risks Being Hurt by Protectionism: Ex-minister (CNA, Nov. 20, 2012) Taiwan's tendency toward protectionism can hurt its political and economic development in the long run, Su Chi, a former secretary-general of the National Security Council said. Su, Hsieh Push for DPP China Affairs Department (Taipei Times, Nov. 19, 2012) DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang said he would submit a proposal for the establishment of a DPP China affairs department at a party meeting on Wednesday. China Stalls Move to Quell Asia Disputes Over Territory (New York Times, Nov. 20, 2012) China, with its ally Cambodia, on Monday once again stalled plans by Southeast Asian nations to develop a system for resolving disputes in the South China Sea. DPP Members Quarrel Over China Affairs (China Post, Nov. 18, 2012) DPP officials have gone head-to-head with each other over next week's discussions on forming a China affairs committee. Alarm As China Issues Rules for Disputed Area By Jane Perlez(New York Times, Dec. 2, 2012) “The U.S. should seek to clarify with China the intent of the regulations and whether they will be used in and around disputed islands, a move that would clearly escalate tensions,” M. Taylor Fravel said. The 18th Party Congress Work Report: Policy Blueprint for the Xi Administration By Timothy Heath (China Brief 12(23), JamestownFoundation, Nov. 30, 2012) The Work Report called for stepping up efforts to shape an international order that is more responsive to Chinese power and reiterated Beijing’s determination to defend its growing array of interests. How Xi Could Build a New China By Zhu Feng(Project Syndicate, Dec. 2, 2012) Xi will be a tough and strong-minded leader, but one who understands the world in a pragmatic way and knows how to work well with his foreign counterparts. China Finds a Friend on the Outside By Patrick Mcgroarty(Wall Street Journal, Nov. 29, 2012) As China seeks to spread use of theyuan beyond its borders, South Africa has its back. U.S. Not Neutral about Japan, Armitage Told Beijing By Peter Landers (Japan Real Time, Nov. 29, 2012) The U.S. isn’t saying who it thinks has legal sovereignty over islands disputed by Japan and China in the East China Sea, but don’t mistake that stand for neutrality, says former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. China’s Slow but Steady Changes By Tung Chen-Yuan(Taipei Times, Nov. 29, 2012) As for China’s policy toward Taiwan, Xi is set to pick up where Chinese President Hu Jintao left off, but some policies will be slightly adjusted. Continental Drift By Gates Gill(Foreign Policy, Nov. 28, 2012) All alliance relationships face contradictions, and Australia is also not the only American ally trying to find the right balance in its relations with Washington and Beijing. ForWashington, understanding and deftly responding to these contradictions will be a critically important part of cooperating with allies to successfully execute the pivot. Analysts Says Xi Will Not Change Cross-Strait Ties By WilliamLowther (Taipei Times, Nov. 28, 2012) As a result of the global financial crisis and US President Barack Obama’s Asian rebalancing policies, the forces within China that were making “a lot of noise” about the permanent decline of the US have become significantly quieter. Japan Is Flexing Its Military Muscle to Counter a Rising China ByMartin Fackler (New York Times, Nov. 27, 2012) After years of watching its international influence eroded by a slow-motion economic decline, the pacifist nation of Japan is trying to raise its profile in a new way, offering military aid and displaying its own armed forces. China’s Leadership Change Puts Pair Ahead of Their Peer for 2017 By Edward Wong (New York Times, Nov. 27, 2012) If HuChunhua and Sun Zhengcai both make it onto the Standing Committee in 2017, they would be in position to vie for the top two party posts in 2022, which would confer on them the state titles of president or premier. Caution Pays on Cross-Strait Offices By Chen Rong-Jye(Taipei Times, Nov. 27, 2012) The first issue to consider in establishing those offices would be guaranteeing the safety of staff stationed in theSEF’s office in China, as well as the inviolability of its archives and premises. Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks: Taiwan’s F-16 Upgrade ByJames Hardy (The Diplomat, Nov. 26, 2012) Taiwan's plans to upgrade its 145 Lockheed Martin F-16 combat aircraft and its on-again off-again pursuit of 66 new-build F-16C/Ds have taken a couple of interesting turns in recent months. Russia to Sell 24 Su-35 Fighter Planes to PRC By J. Michael Cole(Taipei Times, Nov. 24, 2012) In a reversal of a decision made earlier this year, Moscow has agreed to sell 24 Sukhoi Su-35BM fighter aircraft to China, a sale that will further shift the balance of power in the air over the Taiwan Strait. The League of South China Sea Nations By Philip Bowring(YaleGlobal, Nov. 23, 2012) Cambodia, Burma and Thailand have less interest in maritime rights than the countries around the contested South China Sea - the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia or Malaysia. The issue prompts disunity in ASEAN and a pervasive fear of disrupting relations with China, which only encourages Beijing to seek bilateral negotiations with states. Abe Resolves to Take Tough Line on China By Yuka Hayashi(Wall Street Journal, Nov. 22, 2012) Mr. Abe said that whether or not Japan would actually station officials on the disputed islands "would entirely depend on China's response in the future." Su’s Not-So-Surprise Pick Is Great for Him (China Post, Nov. 22, 2012) Su aims to upgrade the DPP with China Policy 2.0, but is wary of losing core pro-independence supporters in the process.  Ma Pressing on Diaoyutais May Hurt US Ties: Experts By WilliamLowther (Taipei Times, Nov. 22, 2012) Taiwan might raise its international profile, but it could be harmful in the long run to its relations with the US and Japan. Is China Up to the Challenge? By David Shambaugh(YaleGlobal, Nov. 21, 2012) China has installed a new leadership team, but no one should hold his breath waiting for dramatic reforms. Asian Nations Plan Trade Bloc That, Unlike U.S.’s, Invites ChinaBy Jane Perlez (New York Times, Nov. 21, 2012) Ten Southeast Asian nations said Tuesday that they would begin negotiating a sweeping trade pact that would include China and five of the region’s other major trading partners, but not the United States. The Key to Bringing Democracy to China By Yasheng Huang(Foreign Policy, Nov. 19, 2012) For China to open up politically, its elites have to believe that it is in their interest to do so. There is no other way. Obama Backs Multilateral Approach to South China Sea ByNatatha Brereton-Fukui, Chun Han Wong and Enda Curran (Wall Street Journal, Nov. 20, 2012) U.S. President Barack Obama supported Southeast Asian nations' proposed multilateral approach to tackling territorial tension in the South China Sea, pushing back against Beijing as a major international meeting became bogged down in acrimony for the second time in five months. Getting Rebalancing Right By Michele A. Flournoy and Ziad Haider(Foreign Policy, Nov. 19, 2012) Rebalancing to Asia is about far more than U.S. security interests. It is driven first and foremost by the reality of U.S. economic interdependence with the region as a whole. How U.S. ‘Pivot’ Could Hurt Reform in China By Brian Spegele(China Real Time Report, Nov. 19, 2012) The party must reform over time, but the greater the pressure exuded by the U.S. and other powers, the less prepared party leaders will be to embrace it.