Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

2014-05-11 | NO.18(18) epaper | South China Sea Disputes Cnooc Oil Rig Fuels Vietnam-China Tensions　(2014-05-05) (Wall Street Journal, By Vo Trong Khanh) Vietnam accused a Chinese energy company of operating in its waters illegally, potentially ratcheting up tensions further between the two countries. Vietnamese Navy Confronts Chinese Ships in Oil Rig Dispute　(2014-05-07) (New York Times, By Gerry Mullany and David Barboza) Tensions in the South China Sea intensified as Vietnamese vessels confronted Chinese ships that were working to place an oil rig off Vietnam’s coast. Vietnam Spat Represents a Chinese Leap　(2014-05-08) (Wall Street Journal, By Brian Spegele and Vu Trong Khanh) While the dispute centers on the oil platform, at the heart of the standoff are much higher stakes around the precedent the standoff may set and whether China's neighbors and the U.S. will allow it to seize control of strategic resources in disputed areas. In High Seas, China Moves Unilaterally　(2014-05-10) (New York Times, By Jane Perlez and Keith Bradsher) China has not been shy in recent years about making broad claims to control much of the South China Sea. But by installing an expensive drilling rig in disputed waters, it now appears more willing to act first and invite diplomacy later. Q & A: M. Taylor Fravel on China's Dispute with Vietnam　(2014-05-08) (Sinosphere, By Edward Wong) M. Taylor Fravel, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, answered questions from The New York Times on the latest events off the coast of Vietnam. Just How Worrying Is China's Standoff with Vietnam?　(2014-05-09) (Foreign Policy, By Daniel Kliman, Ely Ratner, Orville Schell, and Susan Shirk) What does the Sino-Vietnamese standoff mean for the peace and stability of the region? And how should China's actions be interpreted? China Answers Obama　(2014-05-08) (Wall Street Journal) Less than a week after President Obama's Asian Reassurance Tour, Beijing offered its rejoinder, sending a flotilla of 80 military and civilian ships to install China's first oil rig in disputed South China Sea waters. China's Monroe Doctrine　(2014-05-08) (New York Times, By Roger Cohen) The Mearsheimer prediction is not inevitable, but it is plausible. American retrenchment would make it more so. Rising hegemons seize on weakness when they see it. Deterrence is far preferable to war. South China Sea Clash: Asia's Dangerous Game　(2014-05-10) (The Diplomat, By Sreeram Chaulia) For the moment, East Asia presents a divided and scattered picture, which works in China’s favor. India, a member of the East Asia Summit, must play a decisive role in constructing an alternative bloc that is able to work together to check expansionist tendencies. China Abandons Small-Stick Diplomacy?　(2014-05-10) (The Diplomat, By James R. Holmes) It’s hard to see Washington’s ever fighting for the Paracels or Spratlys unless some international tribunal finally untangles the mass of claims to these islets. If America’s partners in the region are banking on the U.S. Navy’s steaming to their rescue, their hopes will probably be dashed. The Oil Rig Crisis, ASEAN Unity and Vietnam's Regime Stability　(2014-05-11) (The Diplomat, By Huong Le Thu) The Vietnamese regime is concerned about its stability. Internal jostling weakens its legitimacy. Threats of sovereignty can be a helpful source of legitimacy. Social discontent can be redirected at another target. Chinese action in the Paracel Islands takes hold of public attention and redirects it at an external threat. U.S. Pivot to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement Assessing President Obama's Asia Tour 　(2014-05-06) (PacNet #36, Pacific Forum, CSIS, By Kazuhiko Togo) President Obama’s recent Asia tour had important achievements, but if one asks if it genuinely strengthened mutual trust between Japan and the United States, particularly between Prime Minister Abe and President Obama, too many problems remain to give a clear affirmative answer. Obama, the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, and the US/Japan Security Treaty　(2014-05-07) (PacNet 36A, Pacific Forum, CSIS, By Bhubhindar Singh) The statement by Obama was a calculation that attempted to gain leverage in bilateral issues involving Japan and restore stability in the East China Sea by eradicating ambiguity regarding the US role in support of Japan in the event of a conflict on the East China Sea. Chinese Navy Will Participate in RIMPAC Exercise for First Time　(2014-05-08) (The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) China will participate in RIMPAC 2014, marking its first time participating in a major U.S.-led naval exercise. Bases for America's Asia-Pacific Rebalance (Part 2)　(2014-05-06) (The Diplomat, By Carnes Lord and Andrew E. Erickson) The second part of a two-part series that evaluates the United States’ evolving network of bases in the Asia-Pacific and which opportunities and challenges each brings to the table moving forward.  DPP Searches for New China Stance; Cross-Strait Issues NCC Enlists Security Agencies to Review Local Use of Chinese Telecoms Equipment　(2014-05-05) (Taipei Times) The National Communications Commission said it is to consult with the agencies in charge of national security to determine if local companies can use base stations produced by Chinese telecommunications equipment suppliers. People First Party Chairman to Meet with Chinese Officials　(2014-05-06) (CNA) People First Party Chairman James Soong will meet with top Chinese officials during a trip to Beijing this week, sources said. PRC's Xi Declares ‘Four Nos’ on Taiwan　(2014-05-08) (Taipei Times) Chinese President Xi Jinping made an indirect response to the concerns voiced by the Sunflower movement protesters against the controversial cross-strait service trade agreement. Tsai Calls for Deliberation of Cross-Strait Trade Pact　(2014-05-07) (China Post) Former DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan should conduct a substantial deliberation of the Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement. Beijing Postpones Trade-in-Goods Talks　(2014-05-09) (Taipei Times) China has notified Taiwan that the latest round of negotiations on trade in goods scheduled to take place this month have been pushed back, government officials said. Can China and Taiwan's DPP Get Along?　(2014-05-11) (The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) Without agreeing to the 1992 consensus, it seems unlikely that the DPP can ever enjoy the sort of relationship with Beijing than the KMT has. Military Balance and Arms Sales No High-Ranking Personnel Involved in ‘Spy Case’: MND　(2014-05-09) (China Post) No high-ranking officers were found to be involved in the latest alleged espionage case, the Ministry of National Defense said. Spend More on Own Defense, US Politician Says　(2014-05-09) (Taipei Times, By William Lowther) The future of US-Taiwan relations is “bright and full of opportunity,” but Taipei needs to spend more on its own defense, US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Ed Royce said.  Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations Fukushima's Taiwan Fallout　(2014-05-06) (Wall Street Journal) Taiwan may soon exacerbate its own economic and strategic vulnerabilities by abandoning domestic nuclear-power production. Alliance ‘Unaffected’ by China Visits　(2014-05-08) (China Post) The foreign minister said that the nation's ties with its diplomatic allies in Central American and African regions remain solid despite the recent frequent visits made by Chinese leaders to the areas. US Commitment to Taipei Backed by House Bill　(2014-05-10) (Taipei Times, By William Lowther) The US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee passed a US$601 billion defense bill that included an order for the Pentagon to submit a report on the balance of forces between China and Taiwan, and reiterated the US’ “longstanding commitment to Taiwan’s security.” Previous

Links: Taiwan Security Research Epaper