Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

2014-08-03 | NO.18(30) epaper | South China Sea Disputes and Other Regional Issues Keep Your Eye on Beijing　(2014-07-28) (Foreign Policy, By Bruce Stokes) When asked, majorities in six of 10 Asian nations, not including China itself, express a favorable opinion of China. But Asian views of Beijing vary widely. China Expands Offshore Oil Fleet for Disputed Waters　(2014-08-01) (Wall Street Journal, By Eric Yep and Wayne Ma) China is accelerating the expansion of its offshore oil fleet—and adding coast guard vessels to protect it—as it ventures farther into the sea for energy resources, threatening more altercations with neighbors.  Diaoyutai Disputes Resurface Japan Names Five Disputed Isles　(2014-08-02) (AP) Japan named five uninhabited small isles belonging to an island group in the center of a dispute with China as part of efforts to reinforce its claim, a move likely to spark anger from Beijing and another claimant, Taiwan.  U.S. Pivot to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement With Microsoft in Sights, China Starts to Squeeze U.S. Tech Companies　(2014-07-28) (New York Times, By Andrew Jacobs, Chris Buckley, and Nick Wingfield) Tensions between the United States and China have escalated over spying concerns by both sides, and in recent months Chinese authorities have increased their scrutiny of foreign tech companies.  DPP Searches for New China Stance; Cross-Strait Issues TSR Interview with Alan Romberg　(2014-07-30) (Taiwan Security Research, By Kristian McGuire) Taiwan Security Research's Kristian McGuire speaks with Alan Romberg, distinguished fellow and director of the East Asia program at the Stimson Center, about the independence clause issue, the recent National Conference on Economic and Trade Affairs, and more in this TSR exclusiveinterview. Government Set to Make Efforts for Re-evaluating Beijing's Sway on ROC 　(2014-07-29) (China Post) NDC Minister Kuan Chung-ming said as the Taiwanese grow concerned over cross-strait trade progress, the NDC will strengthen national security risk management, publish a “cross-strait risk red book” annually and establish an evaluation system of China's influence on Taiwan's politics and economics. Taiwan, China Agree Not to Let Protests Curb Ties: SEF　(2014-07-31) (Taipei Times) The SEF’s chairman said the two sides struck a consensus to not let the movement against the cross-strait service pact affect other trade negotiations. PLA and Military Balance China ‘Confirms New Generation Long Range Missiles’　(2014-08-02) (AFP) China's ownership of a new intercontinental ballistic missile said to be capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads as far as the United States is confirmed by state-run media. Defense Mission Director Removed　(2014-07-30) (Taipei Times) The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Army Major General Li Hsien-sheng, who was the director in charge of Taiwan’s defense mission in the US, has been removed from his post after he failed lie-detector tests in May.  Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey, Second Half of July 2014　(2014-07-31) (TISR) According to the latest Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey (in Chinese), President Ma Ying-jeou's approval rating rebounded during the latter part of July after plunging to 14.8 percent earlier in the month. US Hopes to Advance Cooperation with the ROC on Security Issues　(2014-07-29) (CNA) The United States is hoping to expand cooperation with Taiwan on security issues, according to an American Institute in Taiwan official speaking at an international conference in Taipei. ROC Envoy Has Meeting with Sao Tome President　(2014-07-30) (China Post) Taiwan's ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe recently had a meeting with Sao Tome's president, during which the two sides touched on issues surrounding the leader's possible trip to Taiwan and his recently concluded China tour, MOFA said. China's Rise and Its Domestic Issues China Says Former Security Chief Is being Investigated for Corruption　(2014-07-30) (New York Times, By Chris Buckley and Andrew Jacobs) According to the terse announcement by the party’s anticorruption agency, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Zhou Yongkang is being investigated “on suspicion of grave violations of discipline.” Xi Rides the Tiger　(2014-07-29) (Wall Street Journal) Prosecution of Mr. Zhou will violate an unwritten rule of the post-Deng Xiaoping era, that retired PSC members enjoy immunity. The Communist Party established this and other norms to try to solve the central problem of all authoritarian governments: how to transfer power peacefully. China Moves to Ease Home-Registration Rules in Urbanization Push　(2014-07-31) (New York Times, By Chris Buckley) The Chinese government issued proposals to break down barriers that a nationwide household registration system has long imposed between rural and urban residents and among regions.