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 ] China Eclipses U.S. As Biggest Trading Nation(Bloomberg, Feb. 10, 2013) China surpassed the U.S. to become the world’s biggest trading nation last year as measured by the sum of exports and imports of goods, official figures from both countries show. Ex-US Official Raises Prospect of Pork Talk (China Post, Feb. 10, 2013) Discussions on U.S. pork imports will be inevitable during upcoming talks under TIFA, a former U.S. NSC official said. Taiwan Must Be Alert to PRC Threat: Senator (Taipei Times, Feb. 10, 2013) A US senator is warning Taiwan to “wake up” and realize that as the threat from China grows, so grows the nation’s vulnerability. US Report Tout South China Sea Riches (Taipei Times, Feb. 9, 2013) The undersea reserves of oil and natural gas in disputed areas are far higher than previously estimated, a US report said, and could prove to be even higher. ICBC Picked As Yuan-Clearing Bank in Singapore (Wall Street Journal, Feb. 8, 2013) A potential expansion of yuan trading into other countries could help Beijing advance its goal of turning the Chinese currency into one that can be used for cross-border trade and investment, challenging the U.S. dollar's traditional role. China Organizations to Work Together: Minister (Taipei Times, Feb. 7, 2013) MAC officials will be dispatched to the SEF offices in China, as the two organizations work together to strengthen cross-strait development, MAC Minister Wang Yu-chi said. China Accuses Japan of Smear Campaign (VOA, Feb. 7, 2013) China has accused Japan of trying to "smear"Beijing's image, after Tokyo alleged a Chinese warship locked its weapons-targeting radar on a Japanese vessel near disputed islands. DPP Slams Beijing Over Japan Comments (Taipei Times, Feb. 7, 2013) The DPP rejected Beijing’s criticism of the party’s “flattery of Japan” over the Diaoyutai Islands dispute, saying that China’s provocative moves in the region are what should be condemned. ROC, US Ink New Pact on Immunity (Taipei Times, Feb. 6, 2013) The agreement brings the level of legal protection for Taiwanese diplomats to an extent “very similar to” that the US grants to diplomats from countries with which Washington has diplomatic relations, the MOFA said. Army Officer Transferred As Espionage Probe Spreads (CNA, Feb. 6, 2013) The MND that an Army officer has been transferred after one of his relatives was found to have been allegedly involved in an espionage case. King Pans News Agency Report’s ‘Abridged’ Points (Taipei Times, Feb. 6, 2013) Representative to the US King Pu-tsungsaid that many of the points he made in an interview with AFP in New York late last month were “abridged” and that his office would ask the wire service to make the necessary corrections. Taiwan ‘Should be a Part of Security’ (Taipei Times, Feb. 6, 2013) Taiwan should not be excluded from the security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region, former Japanese defense minister and LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba reportedly told DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang during a meeting. Japan Says China Aimed Military Radar at Ship (New York Times, Feb. 6, 2013)  Japan lodged a formal protest with the Chinese government after it said a Chinese warship directed a radar used to aim missiles at a Japanese warship, in a new escalation of a standoff over disputed islands. Taiwan’s Diaoyutais Moves Worry US: DPP (China Post, Feb. 5, 2013) In a closed-door meeting with the major opposition party, the AIT questioned the attitude and practices with which President Ma Ying-jeou has handled the Diaoyutais dispute, according to a DPP lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity. Visiting Su Touts Closer Ties with Japan (Taipei Times, Feb. 5, 2013) Taiwan-Japan relations could be strengthened to promote regional stability because both countries share the values of democracy, freedom and human rights, DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang said in Tokyo. Lu Proposes Initiative for Diaoyutais (Taipei Times, Feb. 5, 2013) Former vice president Annette Lu proposed an initiative to demilitarize the disputed Diaoyutai Islands and turn them into a protected marine zone. MND Confirms Admiral Quizzed Over Espionage (Taipei Times, Feb. 5, 2013) The MND confirmed that an admiral has been questioned over his alleged involvement in what could be one of the nation’s most serious espionage cases. Surprise Envoy Protects Taiwan’s “Shield” of Ambiguity (AFP, Feb. 4, 2013) In an interview with AFP, King highlighted the importance of the "strategic ambiguity" that the island of 23 million people maintains with its neighbor, on one side, and protector, on the other. Taiwan Deploys US-Manufactured Billion-Dollar Early Warning Radar (AFP, Feb. 4, 2013) Analysts say the system — which could be accessed by the United States with Taiwan's approval — highlightsTaipei's position as a strategic ally of Washington despite a lack of diplomatic ties. Su in Japan in First Trip As DPP Leader (Taipei Times, Feb. 4, 2013) The DPP chairman, accompanied by 30-strong delegation, is to meet Japanese lawmakers and academics during his trip to promote bilateral relations. TIFA Talks to Resume by the End of March (China Post, Feb. 2, 2013) Long-suspended Taiwan-U.S. bilateral trade talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement will resume this March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. Visit Related to Security: AIT Chairman (Taipei Times, Feb. 2, 2013) American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt said that the main purpose of his visit was related to security issues and on developing security relations between the US and Taiwan. Less Support for Independence: Poll (Taipei Times, Feb. 1, 2013) An opinion poll found that support for independence has fallen to its lowest level in three years, despite a majority of Taiwanese remaining opposed to unification with China. Taiwan Important Partner: Japanese Foreign Minister (CNA, Feb. 1, 2013) Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida saidTaiwan is an “important partner” of his country, as evidenced by the close economic ties and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides. Ma Pushes for TIFA Talks in Meeting with Burghardt (Taipei Times, Jan. 31, 2013) President Ma Ying-jeou renewed his call for the US to put bilateral trade negotiations back on track and resume talks under the TIFA during a meeting with AIT Chairman RaymondBurghardt. Taiwan President Urges Sharing East China Sea Resources (VOA, Jan. 31, 2013) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou is urging his powerful neighbors China and Japan to end their islands dispute and share resources in the hotly contested sea between them. Taiwan also claims sovereignty over the Japanese-controlled islands and wants three-way talks on natural resources. Japan’s Leader Expresses Willingness to Meet Chinese Counterparts (New York Times, Jan. 31, 2013) Japan’s new prime minister, Shinzo Abe, said he is willing to meet with Chinese leaders to cool tensions in an emotional island dispute, saying the two Asian neighbors should not let the row further damage their huge economic relationship. US Report Raises Questions Over Cross-Strait Ties (Taipei Times, Jan. 30, 2013) A new report from the Congressional Research Service raises a potentially difficult question for Taipei about its current relationship with Beijing. DPP Members Split Over Ma’s Handling of Dispute (Taipei Times, Jan. 30, 2013) While agreeing that a Taiwanese boat protest must have the president’s tacit approval, DPP members differed on its effect on international relations. AIT Chair Burghardt Arrives in Taiwan for Five-Day Visit (China Post, Jan. 30, 2013) Raymond Burghardt, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Institute in Taiwan has arrived in Taipei for a five-day-trip, the AIT announced. Ma Uses US Delegation Visit to Push for Subs (Taipei Times, Jan. 29, 2013) President Ma Ying-jeou told a US congressional delegation that Taiwan badly needs a new generation of submarines to beef up its naval fleet. Taiwan Needs New F-16s: US Congressman (China Post, Jan. 29, 2013) A visiting U.S. congressman supported calls for the U.S. to sell new F-16 fighters and submarines to Taiwan in order to meet its defensive needs. DPP Chief Heading to Tokyo Next Week (Taipei Times, Jan. 29, 2013) The party reiterated its position that theDiaoyutais belong to Taiwan and that the issue should be resolved through diplomatic negotiations. Bill to Boost US-Taiwan Ties Tabled in Washington (Taipei Times, Jan. 28, 2013) US Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s proposed Taiwan policy act calls for Taipei to be treated like other US allies and for the authorization of arms sales. China to Pursue Renminbi Internationalization on Market-Oriented Basis: Senior Official (Xinhua, Jan. 27, 2013) China is determined to pursue the internationalization of its currency, therenminbi or yuan, on a market-oriented basis without intentionally promoting it, Yi Gang, a vice governor of China's central bank, told Xinhua in an interview. Former Opposition DPP Lawmaker Pans Party’s China Policy (China Post, Jan. 27, 2013) The DPP suffers from “ostrich syndrome” in their handling of cross-strait policy, said a former DPP lawmaker. New Head of U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Visits Taiwan (CNA, Jan. 26, 2013) The new chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs arrived in Taiwan Saturday for a three-day visit to discuss bilateral ties and trade issues, the AIT said. Taiwan to Receive First P-3C Anti-Submarine Aircraft by Year End (CNA, Jan. 26, 2013) Taiwan will take delivery of the first batch of 12 submarine-hunting aircraft purchased from the United States by the end of this year, which will beef up the country's anti-submarine capabilities, the Navy said. China, Taiwan Sign Yuan-Clearing Deal (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 25, 2013) Taiwan and China formally established a direct yuan-clearing system between them, marking another step in China's internationalization of its currency and increasing economic ties between them. Chinese Leader Takes Conciliatory Tone in Meeting with Japanese Lawmaker (New York Times, Jan. 26, 2013) China’s new leader, Xi Jinping, offered Japan a conciliatory tone during a meeting with a senior Japanese politician in what appeared to be an effort to reduce the escalating tensions between the countries over islands in the East China Sea. Japan Envoy Says Territory Disputes with China Can be Resolved (Reuters, Jan. 25, 2013) Japan believes tensions with China fanned by a dispute over a group of uninhabited islands can be resolved, a special envoy from Tokyo said after meeting China's president-in-waiting, XiJinping. Japan Turns Taiwan Activists Back from Disputed Islands (BBC, Jan. 24, 2013) A small boat carrying Taiwanese activists trying to reach a group of East China Sea islands at the heart of a territorial dispute has been forced back by the Japanese coastguard. Philippines Takes China to UN Over Disputed Waters (AFP, Jan. 23, 2013) The Philippines has taken China to a UN tribunal to challenge its claim to most of the South China Sea. Wang and King Outline Goals of US Ties (Taipei Times, Jan. 23, 2013) US-Taiwan trade talks and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations will be the major focus of bilateral relations between Taipei and Washington in the near future, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng said. Foreign Minister Vows Taiwan Won’t Back Down on Diaoyutais (CNA, Jan. 23, 2013) Lin's remarks came after tensions in the region escalated after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talked about Washington's policy toward the island group in a Jan. 18 news conference. Japan Makes Overture to China in Islands Dispute (New York Times, Jan. 23, 2013) A member of Japan’s coalition government arrived in Beijing with a letter for the head of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping, from the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, to try to help calm an escalating dispute between the two countries over contested islands in the East China Sea. Mainland an ‘Unavoidable’ Market: DPP Heavyweight (CNA, Jan. 22, 2013) A Taiwanese opposition party politician, known for being pro-independence, said during his first visit to China that the country is an “unavoidable” and “undeniable” market for Taiwan. DPP’s Hsu Tain-Tsair Visits China (Taipei Times, Jan. 21, 2013) The move has raised eyebrows because the legislator and former Tainan mayor has long been a staunch supporter of Taiwanese independence. Warning Shot Talk Angers China (AP, Jan. 21, 2013) Chinese media has responded to Japan saying it may use tracer fire to warn off foreign aircraft by quoting military experts who said China would return fire. Taiwan Working on New ‘Cloud Peak’ Missile (DefenseNews, Jan. 18, 2013) Taiwan’s military is developing an offensive surface-to-surface missile with a 1,200-kilometer range that could cover China’s central and southern regions, including Shanghai. China Calls US Warning on Diaoyutais ‘Betrayal’ (AFP, Jan. 20, 2013) Veiled US warnings to Beijing not to challenge Japan’s control of disputed islands encouraged Tokyo’s “dangerously right-leaning” government and “betrayed” Washington’s vow of neutrality, Chinese state media said. Speaker Wang to Attend US Inauguration (China Post, Jan. 19, 2013) Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng will leadTaiwan's delegation at the second inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chinese Official Urges Talks with Japan Over Islets (AP, Jan. 18, 2013) Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chairman Jia Qinglin called for talks with Japan over a disputed island chain, in an apparent attempt by Beijing to cool tensions that have seen both sides scramble jet fighters to the area in recent days. MOFA Decries Philippines’ Plan to Refurbish Airport (Taipei Times, Jan. 17, 2013) The recent moves by the Philippines regarding developments on Zhongye Island in the South China Sea have constituted infringements on the rights and interests of ROC, MOFA said in a statement. Int’l Pact Could Benefit Service Sector (China Post, Jan. 17, 2013) U.S. trade representative Ron Kirk notified the U.S. Congress Tuesday that the Obama administration intends to enter negotiations on a new trade agreement on the ISA with a total of 20 economies, including Taiwan. Ma Defends Developments in Cross-Strait Relations (Taipei Times, Jan. 16, 2013) President Ma Ying-jeou defended developments in cross-strait relations as positive for foreign relations, and said the government will consider more arms procurements from theUS to strengthen national defenses and maintain cross-strait peace. MND Has Contingency Plans, No Drill Plans (China Post, Jan. 16, 2013) The Ministry of National Defense said it has no plans for military exercises near the Diaoyutai Islands this year. Abandoning Taiwan Unlikely to Benefit U.S. or China: American Expert (CNA, Jan. 15, 2013) Beijing would be even less likely to restrain its power were the United States to give in on the sensitive Taiwan issue, Richard Bush argues in a paper on whether the U.S. should 'abandon’ Taiwan. China to Issue New Official Map of ‘Full’ Territory (Taipei Times, Jan. 15, 2013) The new map will for the first time display the entirety of the PRC’s claimed territory on the same scale as continental China. China ‘to Survey Disputed East China Sea Islands’ (BBC, Jan. 15, 2013) China says it is to conduct a survey of disputed East China Sea islands, amid a bitter diplomatic row with Japan. Su Unveils Plan to Recall President Ma (China Post, Jan. 14, 2013) DPP is prepared to launch a recall motion against President Ma Ying-jeou, said the party chairman. Taiwan, Japan Negotiate Dates for Fisheries Meeting (Taipei Times, Jan. 14, 2013) Little progress was made at last year’s meeting, but officials from the two countries said they hope this year’s meeting will remedy that. China’s Space Activities Raising U.S. Satellite Security Concerns (AP, Jan. 14, 2013) The United States is concerned about China's expanding ability to disrupt the most sensitive U.S. military and intelligence satellites, according to multiple sources in the U.S. government and outside space experts. Apache Attack Helicopters to Arrive in Oct. (China Post, Jan. 13, 2013) A first batch of six U.S.-made AH-64E Apache attack helicopters will be delivered to Taiwan in October, with delivery for the entire purchase of 30 of the aircraft expected to be complete by July 2014, a report said. Beijing Accuses Tokyo of Heightening Isles Tension (Taipei Times, Jan. 12, 2013) China accused Japan of “creating tension,” a day after China’s air force scrambled two fighters in response to a flight by Japanese jets to intercept a Chinese military plane near Japan-controlled islands. Taiwan to Expand Taiping Wharf: Report (China Post, Jan. 12, 2013) The government plans to expand its wharf atTaiping Island in the South China Sea to accommodate larger vessels as part of its ongoing military enhancement project in the disputed region, a local newspaper said. Japan Tolerating Fishing: Group (Taipei Times, Jan. 11, 2013) A fishermen’s association in Yilan Countysaid Taiwanese vessels had operated freely close to disputed islands, a claim a Japanese paper also reported. US Report Lists Key Taiwan Policy Issues (Taipei Times, Jan. 10, 2013)The US Congress may consider 15 “salient”Taiwan policy issues this year, based on the report, The US-Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues, released by the Congressional Research Service. Japan Summons China’s Envoy in Latest Escalation of Tension Over Disputed Islands (New York Times, Jan. 9, 2013) The Japanese Foreign Ministry summoned China’s ambassador after Chinese ships entered Japanese-controlled waters for 13 hours, a prolonged incursion that seemed to escalate a standoff over a group of disputed islands. US Senator Optimistic about Fighter-Jet Sales (Taipei Times, Jan. 9, 2013) US Senator James Inhofe said he was optimistic about the US government’s authorization for the long-stalled sale of F-16C/D aircraft to Taiwan. Bureau Told to Stop Sending Agents to China: Report (Taipei Times, Jan. 9, 2013) Officers from the Military Intelligence Bureau will no longer be sent “behind enemy lines” in China to collect intelligence, sources are saying. MOFA Downplays Honduras Interference Statement (China Post, Jan. 9, 2013) MOFA downplayed a Honduras government statement which hinted that Taiwan should not interfere with the Central American ally's internal affairs and that Honduras has the right to expand relations with other countries, including China. Amid Protests, China’s Communist Censors Call Media Control ‘Unshakable’ (Washington Post, Jan. 8, 2013) The Chinese government’s main propaganda organ took a hard line against anti-censorship protesters at the offices of the Guangdong newspaper Southern Weekly, declaring that Communist Party control over Chinese media is “unshakable” and accusing “external” agitators of fomenting the unrest. US Congressional Delegation to Arrive in Taiwan Today (China Post, Jan. 8, 2013) A US Congressional delegation headed by Inhofe, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is scheduled to arrive Taiwan today. Frank Hsieh Wraps Up Visit to US to Promote Initiatives (Taipei Times, Jan. 7, 2012) Former premier Frank Hsieh is to conclude his three-week visit to the US to promote his initiative of “constitutions with different interpretations.”  Japan Set to Boost Defense: Media (Reuters, Jan. 6, 2013) Japan’s government is likely to increase defense spending for the first time in 11 years, as newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledges a sterner response to a territorial dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands with China. Long-range Radar Budget Surges by NT$10 Billion (China Post, Jan. 6, 2013) Legislator Lin Yu-fang said the U.S.' decision to cooperate closely with Taiwan in deploying the radar clearly demonstrates that Taiwan's strategic position in Asia is closely related to the core interests of the U.S. The data recorded by the system can be shared by both parties, Lin added. Lieutenant Accused of Leaking Secrets to Stay in Custody (Taipei Times, Jan. 5, 2013) Chien, allegedly came into contact with the Chinese Ministry of State Security via an introduction by a retired military officer and was paid by China to provide military secrets, later joining the Chinese Communist Party and recruiting members for the party within Taiwan. Vietnam Ocean Rights Draw Taiwan Protest (China Post, Jan. 4, 2012) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong protest against a newly adopted Vietnamese law that lays claim to two disputed island chains in the South China Sea. TIFA, TPP Top Agenda for Ties with US: King (China Post, Jan. 3, 2012) The top priority for the future development of Taiwan-United States relations should be the resumption of long-stalled Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement  talks and the nation's ultimate inclusion to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Taiwan's top envoy to U.S. said. Defense Ministry Denies Halving Missile Production (Taipei Times, Jan. 3, 2012) The Ministry of National Defense denied that it had decided to halve the production of an indigenous air-to-ground missile because of an offer by the US to sell Taiwan joint direct attack munitions (JDAM). Chinese Visitors to Taiwan Reach Record High in 2012 (CNA, Jan. 3, 2012) The number of Chinese nationals visiting Taiwan in 2012 reached a record high of over 2.23 million, an increase of 49 percent from the previous year. Ma to Pursue Cross-Strait Peace, Reform (Taipei Times, Jan. 2, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou pledged in his New Year’s Day address to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait and called on Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, China’s next leader, to work with him in promoting peaceful cross-strait development. Military of Defense Gets New Look for the New Year (Taipei Times, Jan. 1, 2013) The Ministry of National Defense will celebrate the new year with a streamlined and more efficient organizational system that is scheduled to be implemented today, along with its all-volunteer military. Schriver Says ‘Constructive’ Role Needed in Diaoyutais ByWilliam Lowther (Taipei Times, Feb. 10, 2013) Randy Schriver said that Taiwan’s good communications with all of the participants could be a “huge asset.” He added that President Ma Ying-jeou’s East China Seapeace plan needed to be taken more seriously. Beijing Plan Signals Reform to Come Quick By Bob Davis and TomOrlik (Wall Street Journal, Feb. 6, 2013) China's plan to narrow the gap between rich and poor—and the fact that it came out at all—is feeding the sentiment China's new leaders might seek to take on powerful interests quickly rather than laboriously try to reach a broad consensus first. Value of Exchanges with China Might Decline: Former AIT ChiefBy William Lowther (Taipei Times, Feb. 8, 2013) The returns on cross-strait economic exchanges may be diminishing because the Chinese economic model is changing, former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan Richard Bush said. Westward Ho! By Yun Sun(Foreign Policy, Feb. 7, 2013) As the United States pivots out of the Middle East and Afghanistan and into East Asia, Beijing is debating a pivot of its own: a grand strategic proposal to shift its attention from East Asia and rebalance its geographical priority westward to Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. China Issues Proposal to Narrow Income Gap By Chris Buckley(New York Times, Feb. 6, 2013) The Chinese government issued a long-awaited plan to narrow the gulf between rich and poor, offering broad vows to lift the incomes of workers and farmers and choke off corrupt wealth but few specific goals to rein in the nation’s wide inequality. Reformers Aim to Get China to Live Up to Own Constitution ByEdward Wong and Jonathan Ansfield (New York Times, Feb. 4, 2013) In a drive to persuade the Communist Party’s new leaders to liberalize the authoritarian political system, prominent Chinese intellectuals and publications are urging the party simply to enforce the principles of their own Constitution. Manila Ups the Ante in the South China Sea By Ian Storey(China Brief 13(3), Jamestown Foundation, Feb. 1, 2013) While a final decision by the tribunal is likely to be several years away, in the short term, the Philippine gambit almost certainly will provoke an indignant response from Beijing, exacerbate strains in Sino-Philippine relations and set back efforts by the ASEAN to negotiate a binding code of conduct on the South China Sea with China. Expert Says US Facing More Challenges in Asia By WilliamLowther (Taipei Times, Feb. 1, 2013) Rick Fisher said China could be projecting military power globally and moving to buildup a military presence on the moon by the mid-2020s. Chinese Company Will Run Strategic Pakistani Port By Declan Walsh (New York Times, Feb. 1, 2013) Pakistan is handing management control of Gwadar, a strategic but commercially troubled deep-sea port, to a Chinese company. A Maritime Balkans of the 21st Century? By Kevin Rudd(Foreign Policy, Jan. 30, 2013) These are no ordinary times in East Asia. With tensions rising from conflicting territorial claims in the East China and South China seas, the region increasingly resembles a 21st-century maritime redux of the Balkans a century ago -- a tinderbox on water. China Leader Affirms Policy on Islands By Chris Buckley(New York Times, Jan. 30, 2013) China will never bargain over what it deems to be “core” territorial and security interests, the country’s top leader, Xi Jinping, said in his first published speech setting out his foreign policy views since taking over as head of the Communist Party. The Y-20: China Aviation Milestone Means New Power ProjectionBy Andrew Erickson and Gabe Collins (China Real Time Report, Jan. 28, 2013) The Y-20’s first flight suggests that China is on the way to joining the U.S., Russia and Ukraine as the fourth nation to independently develop and fly a heavy military transport aircraft. Its development represents a meaningful step toward China being able to develop a more robust ability to project aerial power. Work with China, Don’t Contain It By Joseph S. Nye Jr.(IHT, Jan. 26, 2013) After the 2008-9 financial crisis, some Chinese mistakenly believed that America was in permanent decline and that this presented new opportunities. A result was that China worsened its relations with Japan, India, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines — a misstep that confirmed that “only China can contain China.” Rethinking Our China Strategy By Gary Schmitt and Dan Blumenthal (LA Times, Jan. 27, 2013) U.S. policy of engagement withBeijing has not been as effective in shaping its rise to superpower status as Washington had hoped. Redefining the Meaning of ‘Chinese’ By Didi Kirsten Tatlow(New York Times, Jan. 24, 2013) China cannot, for now, show the world that a Chinese society can be open, tolerant and democratic. But Taiwancan. China’s Information Challenge By Ian Bremmer(New York Times, Jan. 23, 2013) China’s battle with information will delay the reforms that China needs in order to reach the next stage of its development. And it will encourage China’s leaders to divert public anger toward outsiders, in part by taking more assertive — sometimes aggressive — actions in East and Southeast Asia. U.S. Central to ‘Abe Doctrine’ in PM’s Lost Policy Speech ByAlexander Martin (Japan Real Time Report, Jan. 22, 2013) Strengthening ties with the U.S., Japan’s main ally, is the central plank of a “lost” policy speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in which he sets out his principles of diplomacy. Spiraling Surprises in Sino-Japanese Tensions By Peter Mattis(China Brief 13(2), Jamestown Foundation, Jan. 18, 2013) Chinese surprise at Japanese actions suggests one of two possibilities: either Beijing has made a decision to pressure Japan irrespective of the possibility of success or that there is a major information processing problem that is keeping away or politicizing information that should be reaching the leadership. In China, Widening Discontent among the Communist Party Faithful By Edward Wong (New York Times, Jan. 20, 2013) Barely two months into their jobs, the Communist Party’s new leaders are being confronted by the challenges posed by a constituency that has generally been one of the party’s most ardent supporters: the middle-class and well-off Chinese. China-US Ties Possibly ‘Adrift’: Journal Article By WilliamLowther (Taipei Times, Jan. 20, 2013) Washington experts have predicted that since Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will not becomeChina’s president until the National People’s Congress in March, China-US ties “may be adrift in the coming months.” Pressure Rises on China to Scrap One-Child Policy By LaurieBurkitt (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 18, 2013) China's top national statistician called for changing the country's one-child policy because of the nation's shrinking pool of workers. As Dispute Over Islands Escalates, Japan and China Send Fighter Jets to the Scene By Jane Perlez (New York Times, Jan. 19, 2013) For the first time supersonic Chinese and Japanese military fighters were in the air together since the dispute over the islands erupted last year, significantly increasing the risk of a mistake that could lead to armed conflict. Big Bets and Black Swans: A Presidential Briefing Book (Brookings, January 2013) What follows is a series of memos designed to present President Obama with a suggested “to do” list for the major issues of our time. Specifically related to China, Mr. Obama is advised to put big bets on “Bringing Beijing Back In” and “Calming the Eastern Seas” and is reminded a black swan event of “China in Revolution and War.” U.S. Calls for ‘Cooler heads’ in Dispute Over Asian Islands ByMartin Fackler (New York Times, Jan. 18, 2013) A top American diplomat called for “cooler heads to prevail” in an emotional quarrel over disputed islands that has raised tensions in Asia, and he urged the leaders of China and Japan to begin private consultations to avoid a potentially dangerous escalation. Anxieties Surfaces Over Reform Agenda By Russell Leigh Moses(China Real Time Report, Jan. 18, 2013) It’s growing increasingly apparent from the tone of reform-related commentaries in the People’s Daily that it’s more than just the shy, the unsure, and the slow holding up more rapid reform. There is also outright opposition. Abe’s Diamond Defense Diplomacy By Yuka Hayashi(Japan Real Time Report, Jan. 17, 2013) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered a surprisingly frank preview of his regional diplomacy and defense in a recent little-noticed essay. Asia’s Democratic Security Diamond By Shinzo Abe(Project Syndicate, Dec. 27, 2012) I envisage a strategy wherebyAustralia, India, Japan, and the US state of Hawaii form a diamond to safeguard the maritime commons stretching from the Indian Ocean region to the western Pacific. I am prepared to invest, to the greatest possible extent, Japan’s capabilities in this security diamond.  Vexed by Beijing, Tokyo Tries Other Ties By Yuka Hayashi, Alexander Martin and James Hookway (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 16, 2013) In only three weeks since taking office, Mr. Abe and his new administration has been fast at work to improve Japan's long-standing relations with Southeast Asia. The 18th Party Congress and Foreign Policy: The Dog that Did Not Bark? By Michael D. Swaine (China Leadership Monitor, HooverInstitution, Jan. 14, 2013) Future policy indicators are usually contained within the congress work report delivered by the current CCP general secretary, while power structure indicators are contained in the official membership roster of the new CCP Central Committee, Politburo, and Politburo Standing Committee. Following the 18th Party Congress: Moving Forward Step-by-Step By Alan D. Romberg (China Leadership Monitor, HooverInstitution, Jan. 14, 2013) The 18th Party Congress laid out a “steady on course” approach to cross-Strait relations, continuing to emphasize economic, cultural, and educational exchanges in the near term while seeking to lay a foundation of political trust for future political and security dialogues, including a peace accord. Uncharted Strait By Richard C. Bush III(Brookings, Jan. 14, 2013) As China rises and seeks to reshape East Asia more to its liking, how the United States responds will be a critical variable. It needs the right mix of accommodation and firmness. Giving way on Taiwan will neither pacify Beijing nor assure our allies. Neighbors Grow More Wary of China By Patrick Barta(Wall Street Journal, Jan. 13, 2013) In the past, Chinese officials have dismissed the idea of a backlash against Chinese policy and have blamed the U.S. for stirring up opposition while bolstering defense ties in Asia, as part of a strategic pivot designed to "contain" China. Interview: Su Casts Light on DPP’s Perspective (Taipei Times, Jan. 12, 2013) Taipei Times’ staff reporters discussed what the alternatives the DPP can propose to the President Ma Ying-jeouadministration’s policies with DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang. The Interview: Admiral Samuel J. Locklear By Sergei DeSilva-Ranasinghe (The Diplomat, Jan. 11, 2013) America’s rebalance towardsAsia has many talking. The U.S. Navy will be at the forefront of such efforts. Admiral Samuel J. Locklear gives us his take. To Counter China, Japan and Philippines Will Bolster Maritime Cooperation By Martin Fackler (New York Times, Jan. 11, 2013) In a telling sign of how China’s rise has helped turn former wartime foes into allies, Japan and the Philippines agreed on Thursday to cooperate more closely on maritime security. Chinese Newspaper Protests End, but Battle Over Censorship Is Unresolved By Edward Wong (New York Times, Jan. 11, 2013) The demonstrations have died down, and the reporters and editors are back to work at China’s most prominent weekly newspaper. But the Southern Weekend is sure to remain a crucial battleground over Communist Party censorship. Censored Newspaper Returns to Publication amid Struggles ByEdward Wong (New York Times, Jan. 10, 2013) Propaganda officials in the southern province of Guangdong have agreed to loosen some controls over an embattled newspaper whose struggle against censorship has galvanized free-speech advocates across China. Southern Weekly: Of Cock-Ups and Conspiracies By Russell Leigh Moses (China Real Time Report, Jan. 9,2013) The recent censorship efforts at the newspaper Southern Weekend might well be both cock-ups and conspiracies—and neatly summarize the problems and possibilities surrounding the early efforts of new Chinese leader XiJinping to stimulate the political system. Obama’s Cabinet Picks Indicate Caution By William Lowther(Taipei Times, Jan. 9, 2013) US President Barack Obama’s new cabinet choices indicate that he will continue to be extremely cautious with policies toward Taiwan. Chuck Hagel’s Biggest Task By James Holmes(Foreign Policy, Jan. 7, 2013) Chuck Hagel’s most important task is executing the military component of the Obama administration's pivot toAsia. It's a mission that will require an appreciation for the finer points of maritime strategy, a deft diplomatic touch, and an expansive worldview. Reinventing China, Again By Robyn Meredith(Foreign Policy, Jan. 7, 2013) China may be ever more closely connected with the rest of the world by globalization, but as China moves deeper into stage three of development, it's political leaders are choosing their own path. And there is no guarantee that China's preferred way forward will dovetail neatly with the interests of the rest of the world. The South China Sea: “Lake Beijing” By James Holmes(The Diplomat, Jan. 7, 2013) Is Beijing indeed intent on primacy in the South China Sea and other expanses, to the extent of seeing them as Chinese lakes? Does it possess sufficient naval and military power to make itself the master of the waters within? How large a margin of superiority can the PLA amass in the face of regional competitors? And to what uses would Beijing put its marine primacy once achieved? In Asia, Ill Will Runs Deep By Odd Arne Westad(New York Times, Jan. 7, 2012) Japan’s rise in the late 19th century was seen as an affront by China, which had always felt entitled to the mantle of regional leadership. Most Chinese today therefore regard Japan’s wealth, and its position as America’s main ally in Asia, as results of ill-gotten gains. Chinese Journalists Mount Rare Protest Over an Alleged Act of Government Censorship By Keith B. Richburg (Washington Post, Jan. 5, 2013) Chinese journalists reacted furiously Friday to what they said was heavy-handed official censorship of a New Year’s message from a popular Guangdong newspaper, setting up a crucial early challenge for new leader Xi Jinping. Eve of Disaster By Charles Emmerson(Foreign Policy, Jan. 4, 2013) To take an example of one of the more plausible shocks we now face, a miscalculation in the South China Sea could easily set off a chain of events not entirely dissimilar to a shot in Sarajevo in 1914, with alliance structures, questions of prestige, escalation, credibility, and military capability turning what should be marginal to global affairs into a central question of war and peace. Four Surprises That Could Rock Asia in 2013 By Michael Mazza(Foreign Policy, Jan. 3, 2013) There are quieter threats to Asia, potentially more explosive than a North Korean missile. Here are four underappreciated threats to the world’s most populous region. China’s Rules of the Game By Brett Shehadey(National Interest, Jan. 3, 2013) Unfortunately, the game of “Go” may be too devious and simplistic for the regional or international players to respect. As Taiwan’s Links with Mainland Grow, So Do Concerns By DidiKirsten Tatlow (IHT Rendezvous, Jan. 1, 2013) Why does this all matter? Well, it matters a lot to some people in Taiwan, who treasure their freedom. To the world, which watches as China rises, it matters too — a unified China would be a behemoth with around $3.7 trillion in foreign exchange reserves. SUBSCRIPTION Subscribe for "Weekly Report" (Your name, Institution, position, and e-mail address) Readers might also be interested in these Taiwan security-related websites: China Brief, Jamestown Foundatoin China Leadership Monitor, Hoover Institution, Stanford University PacNet Newsletter, Center for Strategic & International Studies TSR received a favorable review by the Foreign Affairs (July/Aug 2000). TSR was given the Best of Asia-Pacific Web Award! TSR was honored with a Four-Star rating by the Asian Studies WWW Virtual Library.  This page will remain in a constant state of renovation. The author welcomes your suggestions. 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