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| South China Sea Disputes | |
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Vietnam Leader Criticizes China Over Oil Rig (2014-05-12)
(Wall Street Journal, By Chun Han Wong) Although Asean foreign ministers jointly expressed "serious concerns" over the latest confrontation, they shied from directly criticizing Beijing, and reiterated calls for restraint and greater urgency in multilateral talks on a code of conduct in the South China Sea.
How China Won the ASEAN Summit (2014-05-12)
(The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) Those hoping to see a strong statement of ASEAN unity in the face of Chines provocations were disappointed. This year, leaders were able to issue a communique, but only by agreeing to largely ignore the South China Sea issue — exactly what China hopes to see.
China and Vietnam at Impasse Over Rig in South China Sea (2014-05-13)
(New York Times, By Keith Bradsher) China and Vietnam appear to have reached at least a temporary impasse over a giant drilling rig sent by a state-controlled Chinese oil company to a site in the South China Sea.
Beijing Pays a Price for Assertiveness in South China Sea (2014-05-13)
(Wall Street Journal, By Andrew Browne) China has no wish to be branded an international outlaw: it has devoted huge amounts of energy over the years into integrating itself into global rules-based institutions, even if its ultimate intention is to change them to its advantage from the inside.
As Anger Over Chinese Rig Rises, Hanoi Has Few Options (2014-05-14)
(Wall Street Journal, By Trefor Moss and Vu Trong Khanh) As Vietnam seeks to force China to remove a large oil platform it has parked in disputed waters, it must balance rising anger at China at home with the need to protect an economy heavily reliant on Chinese imports—and stay out of a military conflict it can't win.
White House Says China's Oil-Rig Deployment ‘Provocative,’ Dangerous (2014-05-16)
(Wall Street Journal, By Jeffrey Sparshott) The White House stepped up criticism of China's deployment of an oil rig in the South China Sea, saying the move had complicated relations in the region and made peaceful resolution of territorial disputes more difficult.
In US, Chinese General Defends South China Sea Oil Rig (2014-05-16)
(The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) Fang underlined China’s commitment to both its territory in general and the oil rig in particular. On the oil rig, Fang promised that “we will make sure this well is successfully drilled” without interference from the outside.
US Urges for Calm in China, Vietnam As Tensions Flare (2014-05-18)
(AFP) The United States Friday betrayed increasing disquiet over the potential for serious clashes between China and Vietnam over disputed South China Sea territory, calling on both sides to show restraint.
China's Unchecked Power at Sea (2014-05-14)
(Wall Street Journal) The consistent behavior of China's leaders, like that of Vladimir Putin, betrays a confidence that territorial revanchism has become a global growth industry.
China's ‘Peaceful Rise’ and the South China Sea (2014-05-17)
(The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) China generally frames its “peaceful rise” as an overt comparison to the legacy of colonialism and imperialism. By promising a “peaceful rise,” China is, in effect, promising not to use force to expand its territory — but this promise has no bearing on the areas China already claims.
Vietnam's Next Move: Sue CNOOC (2014-05-13)
(PacNet #38, Pacific Forum, CSIS, By James Manicom) In addition to its considerable diplomatic campaign to isolate China, the government of Vietnam should take CNOOC to court in Vietnam in response to China’s move.
Taiwan Concerned Over Mistaken Identity in Vietnam Protests (2014-05-14)
(Sinosphere, By Austin Ramzy) The businesses based in Taiwan were targeted in an apparent case of mistaken identity by demonstrators angered by mainland China’s placement of an offshore drilling platform in waters claimed by Vietnam.
Taiwan Will Not Cooperate with China in South China Sea (2014-05-15)
(The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) A spokesman from Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council confirmed that Taiwan will not cooperate with China to handle territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Taipei to Ask Hanoi for Riot Raparations (2014-05-16)
(Taipei Times) The government aims to use bilateral pacts to find a legal basis to seek indemnity for damages to Taiwanese citizens or property in the Vietnam riots.
Philippines Challenges China Over Disputed Atoll (2014-05-15)
(New York Times, By Keith Bradsher) The Philippines said that it had protested signs of land reclamation by China aimed at expanding a disputed coral atoll near the southern Philippines, the latest in a series of disputes pitting China against its neighbors in the South China Sea.
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| U.S. Pivot to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement | |
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US Drones' Move to Japan Could Aid Local Defense (2014-05-18)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) In a move that could strengthen Taiwan’s security, the US is moving two high-altitude “Global Hawk” spy drones to Japan to monitor the Chinese navy.
U.S.-China Security Transparency Highlights Divergences (2014-05-07)
(China Brief 14(9), Jamestown Foundation, By Richard Weitz) China’s mixed response to Hagel's visit and Obama's Asia tour underscore how major differences with Washington persist over the value of the U.S. military presence in East Asia and stabilizing effect of U.S. Asia policy.
Lew Urges China to Ease Controls on Exchange Rate (2014-05-13)
(New York Times, By Jane Perlez) Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew pushed China to let market forces decide its exchange rate, and pressed senior officials here not to undercut the Obama administration’s sanctions on Russia.
China Isn't Overtaking America (2014-05-13)
(New York Times, By Michael A. Levi) Twenty-first century rivalry between the United States and China will be as much about economic might as military power. Judging the economic balance correctly will be as essential a foundation for effective international strategy as proper assessment of the military balance was during the Cold War. | |
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| Cross-Strait Issues | |
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Safety Guarantee Required for Huawei 4G Equipment (2014-05-13)
(China Post) A top government official said the application of a Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.'s to procure Huawei's 4G equipment would be ratified once the “backdoor” safety is confirmed. | |
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| Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations | |
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Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey, First Half of May 2014 (2014-05-13)
(TISR) According to the latest Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey (in Chinese), President Ma Ying-jeou's approval rose while his disapproval rating declined over the first ten days of May. The president's approval rating increased 3.3 percentage points to 17.9 percent and his disapproval rating dropped 0.8 percentage point bringing it to 71.1 percent.
Party Identification Tracking Analysis in Taiwan, April 2014 (2014-05-08)
(TISR) Taiwan Indicators Survey Research released its April surveyresults (in Chinese) on the public's party identities. Of those surveyed, 26.1% self-identified as supporters of the KMT or other Pan-Blue parties, down 1.1 percentage points from March's number.
Beyond the Cross-Strait Trade in Service Agreement: Seeking a “2014 Consensus” for Taiwan (2014-04-30)
(Brookings, By Kuei-bo Huang) It does not make sense that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait could reach the “1992 Consensus,” which has undeniably paved the way for risk reduction in and the enhancement of cross-Strait relations since President Ma was inaugurated in May 2008, while Taiwan’s own people and political parties, even if they may have different ideas about TiSA and cross-Strait and regional economic strategies, can’t attain some kind of sensible consensus as to how the current dispute can be shelved or dealt with constructively.
The Taiwan Relations Act at 35 (2014-04-16)
(Brookings, By Richard C. Bush III) Because the TRA is more policy and political commitment than binding mandate, that commitment must be renewed by new groups of leaders to address new circumstances that weren’t contemplated in 1979.
Taiwan-US Ties Stronger Than Ever: AIT Chairman (2014-05-14)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) US-Taiwan relations are stronger than ever, American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt told a Washington conference.
Schriver Urges US to Stay out of 2016 Taiwan Polls (2014-05-14)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) The ex-US deputy assistant secretary of state for Asia warned against a repeat of Washington’s perceived picking of sides in Taiwan’s 2012 presidential election.
The Future of U.S.-Taiwan Relations (2014-05-14)
(The Diplomat, By Jaushieh Joseph Wu) Taiwan should make it clear that it follows the UN Convention on the Law of Sea, article 121 specifically, in defining its territorial claims based on the actual ownership of Itu Aba (Taiping islet) and adheres to the principle of the freedom of navigation.
EU ‘Likely to Consider’ a Bilateral Investment Pact (2014-05-17)
(Taipei Times) The EU is likely to consider a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan “in due course,” the head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei, Frederic Laplanche, said. | |
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| China's Rise and Its Domestic Issues | |
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Hong Kong's Rising Cry (2014-05-14)
(New York Times, By Michael Degolyer) Since Hong Kong was handed over by the British to China in 1997, the territory’s seven million residents have been free to govern themselves with relatively little interference from Beijing. That freedom is now under threat, frustration with Beijing is mounting, and the possibility of violence is growing. | |
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