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| South
China Sea Disputes
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China's Island-Building Poses Dilemma for U.S. (2015-05-31)
(Wall
Street Journal, By Andrew Browne, Gordon Lubold, and Trefor Moss) China’s
refusal to curtail island-building in the South China Sea has sparked a debate
in Washington between those who believe such muscle-flexing shouldn’t go
unchecked, and others who fear the wrong response could trigger a military
confrontation or a new Cold War.
China Says It Could Set Up Air Defense Zone in South China
Sea (2015-06-01)
(New
York Times, By Edward Wong) A Chinese admiral said that Beijing could set up an
air defense zone above disputed areas of the South China Sea if it felt it was
facing a large enough threat, according to Chinese news
media.
Pushback in Shangri-La (2015-06-02)
(Wall
Street Journal) China’s bullying is prompting Asian states to invest in defense
and expand ties among themselves and with Washington. Along with proper U.S.
leadership and a bigger U.S. Navy, this fledgling coalition could be the best
long-term hope for deterring Chinese aggression and maintaining free commerce in
the Pacific.
Averting a Deepening U.S.-China Rift Over the South China
Sea (2015-06-02)
(The
National Interest, By Michael D. Swaine) To clarify its position, the U.S. needs
to focus like a laser on its two only real interests in the South China Sea, and
connect its statements and actions to them as much as
possible.
Philippines Adding Patrol Ships to Northern
Waters (2015-06-04)
(Taipei
Times) The Philippines plans to deploy several new patrol boats in waters off
its northern regions, where its exclusive economic zone overlaps with that of
Taiwan, a senior Philippine Coast Guard officer said.
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| U.S.
“Pivot” to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement
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U.S. Defense Secretary Visits India to Build Military
Ties (2015-06-04)
(New
York Times, By Matthew Rosenberg) Mr. Carter is scheduled to sign a defense
framework agreement — basically, an outline for how the United States and India
can work together — and finalize details of two small research projects that the
American and Indian militaries will conduct together.
US, Vietnam Deepen Defense Ties (2015-06-05)
(The
Diplomat, By Prashanth Parameswaran) The United States and Vietnam deepened
their defense ties during a three-day trip by U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton
Carter to the Southeast Asian state.
Obama Administration Loses Top Asia Advisor (2015-06-06)
(The
Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) Evan Medeiros, the senior director for Asian
affairs on the National Security Council, stepped down, to be replaced by Daniel
Kritenbrink, currently the deputy chief of mission at the United States’ embassy
in China.
Political Will, Tough Decisions to Join TPP:
Rivkin (2015-06-03)
(China
Post) Anyone interested in joining the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership will
have to meet high standards that require "political will" and "making tough
decisions," Charles H. Rivkin, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for
economic and business affairs, said.
AmCham Calls for TPP Task Force (2015-06-05)
(Taipei
Times) The American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei called on the government to
adopt a more effective approach to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership by forming
a task force to accelerate progress.
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| DPP
Searches for New China Stance; Cross-Strait Issues
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President Xi's Visit to Belarus Prompts Questions of New Line on
Taiwan (2015-05-29)
(China
Brief 15(11), Jamestown Foundation, By Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga and Jessica
Drun) China may be preparing for a more heavy-handed approach to Taiwan in the
event of a DPP victory in 2016 and a likely rejection of the 1992 Consensus. The
recent joint statement between China and Belarus is noteworthy in the continued
opposition to Taiwan’s joining international organizations in which sovereignty
is a requirement.
Taiwan to Speed Up Cross-Strait Trade Talks to Counter FTA:
Gov't (2015-06-02)
(China
Post) In response to the China-South Korea free trade agreement news, Cabinet
spokesman Sun Lih-chyun said that the agreement will indeed send shockwaves
through Taiwan's industry, and proposed that the government should quickly speed
up trade agreement negotiations with China and other countries.
Ma Accents ‘Status Quo’ in US-Based Conference (2015-06-04)
(Taipei
Times) President Ma Ying-jeou said a democratized China would let people on both
sides of the Taiwan Strait think on an equal basis as a prelude to any
integration.
DPP Supports Advocacy for Democracy in China (2015-06-04)
(Taipei
Times) DPP expressed its support for pro-democracy movements in China, saying
that only upholding values of freedom and democracy could serve as a stable
basis for cross-strait exchanges on the eve of the 26th anniversary of the
Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing.
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| PLA
and Military Balance
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The Two Words That Explain China's Assertive Naval
Strategy (2015-06-04)
(Foreign
Policy, By James Holmes) Let’s parse the words of white papers and other Chinese
statements of purpose. They furnish clues as to what to expect from China and
how we can reply. But let’s also realize this is a challenge that’s been a long
time in the making and, in all likelihood, will persist far into the future.
Meeting it will require matching Beijing’s steadfastness of
purpose.
Chinese Spy Plans Foiled: MND (2015-06-03)
(Taipei
Times) China sent a surveillance ship and spy aircraft to waters and airspace
near Taiwan’s to gather intelligence last week during missile and air defense
drills at a military base in Pingtung County, Ministry of National Defense
officials confirmed.
US, Taiwan Military Sister Units to Enhance
Cooperation (2015-06-04)
(China
Post) Fielding questions during a Legislative session, Administrative Deputy
Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Wang Shin-lung confirmed a local media report that
said two R.O.C military units have recently formed sister units with two U.S.
units.
AIT Showcases Military Cooperation with Taiwan (2015-06-06)
(Taipei
Times) The AIT posted a photo on its Facebook page, showing Taiwan’s chief of
the general staff, General Yen De-fa, among the attendees at a joint change of
command ceremony for the US Pacific Command and US Pacific Fleet on May 27 at
Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
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| Taiwan's
Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
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Taiwan Can Build on U.S. Ties (2015-06-01)
(Wall
Street Journal, By Tsai Ing-wen) As a vibrant democracy, Taiwan is situated
within an exciting yet intricate and ever-evolving security and economic
environment. To successfully navigate this arena, Taiwan will need to articulate
an open and forward-looking strategy for the future. This agenda is
fundamentally premised on robust economic, defense and people-to-people
relationships with the U.S., in parallel with a comprehensive and principled
engagement with China.
Top Priority Is Confidence of the People:
Tsai (2015-06-01)
(China
Post) Embarking on her 12-day tour of the United States, 2016 presidential
candidate and DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen delivered a speech in Los Angeles on
May 30, disclosing her fundamental views on leading the nation if she wins the
2016 election.
Tsai Meets Heavyweight Senators in Washington (2015-06-04)
(China
Post) Presidential candidate and DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen met with U.S.
Senators John McCain and Dan Sullivan from the Republican Party and Democrat
Jack Reed on June 2 in Washington, D.C. to discuss issues such as Taiwan's
candidacy in joining regional economic organizations, military cooperation and
future U.S.-Taiwan relations.
Tsai Has ‘Very Successful’ US Meetings (2015-06-04)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) Washington sources said that Tsai was expected to
spend time with US National Security Adviser Susan Rice, US Assistant Secretary
of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel and US Trade
Representative Michael Froman.
Tsai Vows ‘Consistent’ Cross-Strait Ties (2015-06-05)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) Tsai Ing-wen pledged ‘peaceful, stable’ cross-strait
relations and said she would push for a cross-strait oversight mechanism and a
new development model.
DPP's Tsai Visit White House, US State Department (2015-06-06)
(Taipei
Times) Following a landmark visit to the White House, DPP Chairperson Tsai
Ing-wen met US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, making her the first
Taiwanese presidential candidate to have entered the US Department of State
headquarters.
Tsai Completes DC Visit, US Says Policy Still the
Same (2015-06-07)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) While some political observers have considered it
particularly significant that the US Department of State fielded a top team
headed by US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet with DPP
Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen inside the department’s headquarters, US officials
reiterated that there have been no changes to US policies.
Taiwan, US Sign Teamwork Deal (2015-06-02)
(Taipei
Times) As the nation welcomed its highest-ranking US guest in years, President
Ma Ying-jeou said he hoped talks on a Taiwan-US investment deal would gain
ground.
Taiwan, US to Hold Digital Economy Forum (2015-06-03)
(CNA)
Taiwan and the United States are planning a digital economy forum in a bilateral
effort to boost cooperation in the development of the information and
communication technology industry, the Ministry of Economic Affairs
said.
Taiwan Mood Barometer
Survey, Second Half of May 2015 (2015-05-28)
(TISR)
President Ma Ying-jeou's approval rating jumped 3.4 percentage points over the
latter part of May, according to the latest Taiwan Mood
Barometer Survey (in
Chinese).
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