|
|
| |
| South
China Sea Disputes
| |
|
|
| |
|
Vietnam Objects to Chinese Oil Rig in Disputed
Waters (2016-01-21)
(New
York Times, By Mike Ives) The dispute came as Vietnam’s top leaders convened
here on Wednesday for the start of a Communist Party national congress, which
will choose the country’s leaders for the next five years. Analysts said the
dispute was unlikely to affect those decisions, and the party appeared to be
taking pains not to alienate China.
| |
|
| |
| East
China Sea Disputes and Japan Policy
| |
|
|
| |
|
Tsai Meets with Japanese Envoy, Frank Murkowski (2016-01-18)
(Taipei
Times) Interchange Association, Japan Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi was among the first
foreign representatives to visit Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai
Ing-wen yesterday to congratulate her on her election as
president.
Abe, Japan Prime Minister, Congratulates Tsai on
Win (2016-01-19)
(CNA)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe congratulated Democratic Progressive Party
Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen on her victory in Taiwan's presidential election on
Saturday and called Taiwan "an old friend."
Japanese Official's Congrats to Tsai Signify 'Cordial
Ties' (2016-01-22)
(China
Post) This is the first time that Japanese officials as senior as the prime
minister and foreign minister have issued congratulatory messages to a
president-elect of the R.O.C.
| |
|
| |
| U.S.
“Pivot” to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement
| |
|
|
| |
|
Taiwan's New Direction (2016-01-17)
(Wall
Street Journal) On Saturday Ms. Tsai singled out the U.S. and Japan among
Taiwan’s “international friends.” Let’s hope that friendship is reciprocated.
The growth of economic, political and military cooperation among Taipei,
Washington and Tokyo will be central to maintaining stability in East
Asia.
For U.S., Taiwan Vote Changes Calculus Over ‘One
China’ (2016-01-19)
(Wall
Street Journal, By Andrew Browne) Last weekend’s vote, in which the Taiwanese
electorate overwhelming endorsed a party that rejects Beijing’s “One China”
formula, confirmed the direction in the most emphatic way to date. That not only
puts China in a bind, but the U.S. too.
The
Taiwan Elections: Don't Expect a US Policy Change (2016-01-20)
(PacNet
#8, Pacific Forum, CSIS, By Robert Sutter) Even with the recent significant US
debate over China and a hardening of Obama administration policy toward Beijing,
US government policy toward Taiwan is unlikely to change for the remainder of
Obama's term. After that, possible change is contingent on which US presidential
candidate is elected and the salience of the Taiwan issue among an array of more
urgent policy choices for the new US president.
US Asia Rebalance Still Lacks Direction, Resources:
Study (2016-01-21)
(The
Diplomat, By Prashanth Parameswaran) More than four years after it was first
unveiled, the Obama administration’s pivot or rebalance to the Asia-Pacific
lacks the necessary direction and resources to secure U.S. interests, a new
think tank report released this week argues.
US Policy Limits Taiwan's Role in ‘Rebalance’ (2016-01-22)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) Taiwan is eager to contribute to the US rebalance to
Asia, but is “strictly limited” by US policy, a new study by the Center for
Strategic and International Studies think tank said.
| |
|
| |
| DPP
Searches for New China Stance; Cross-Strait Issues
| |
|
|
| |
|
Tsai's Cross-Strait Policy to Rest on Democratic
Will (2016-01-22)
(Liberty
Times) President-elect Tsai Ing-wen said that the election result showed
Taiwanese support maintaining the ‘status quo’ in cross-strait ties and that she
would build policy on precedents.
Mainland Shows 'Good Will' Before Taiwanese Elections, Claims
President-Elect Tsai (2016-01-19)
(CNA)
President-elect Tsai Ing-wen said that China "showed a high degree of restraint"
before Taiwan's presidential election on Jan. 16, calling it "good will" and
"the best form of communication."
DPP Secretary-General in US to Tout Stability (2016-01-21)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) Wu said the DPP’s overwhelming victory reflected
young voters discontent with the KMT, with the performance of local
administrations and the DPP’s balanced position on controversial issues. He
warned against interpreting the election result as a defeat for China.
-Assessing
the Outcomes and Implications of Taiwan's January 2016 Election with Joseph Wu
(Video)
-Full Text of
Wu's Speech
ROC Flag a Consensus among Taiwanese: DPP
Official (2016-01-21)
(CNA)
The official designation of Taiwan, the Republic of China (R.O.C.), and the
R.O.C. flag are highly symbolic for people in Taiwan, and there is a broad
consensus on the national flag, a Democratic Progressive Party official
said.
TSU Considering Disbanding After Election Losses (2016-01-20)
(Taipei
Times) The party said it would either reduce its size and its operations to
continue sending its signature message of resistance to China, or it would
dissolve entirely.
Ex-US Official Meets with ROC Political Leaders (2016-01-19)
(China
Post) Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns met with President Ma
Ying-jeou, President-elect Tsai Ing-wen and former Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu
on Monday, which invoked concern from the mainland Chinese
authorities.
US Reiterates Hope for Cross-Strait Relations to Remain
Peaceful (2016-01-23)
(CNA)
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in Beijing that Washington
has an abiding interest in continued peace and stability across the Taiwan
Strait.
Beijing's Advice for Tsai Ing-wen (2016-01-18)
(The
Diplomat, By Bo Zhiyue) The mainland’s policy toward Taiwan is judged to have
been so successful that no one, including Tsai Ing-wen, could afford to oppose
current trends. According to Xinhua's comment, the majority of Taiwanese accept
the KMT’s cross-strait policy. They do not wish to see either a reversal of the
good relationship between Taiwan and the mainland or the loss of the “peace
dividend” of the cross-strait relationship.
Chinese State-run Media Warn Tsai on Independence (2016-01-19)
(AFP)
China’s state-run media warned president-elect Tsai Ing-wen against pursuing a
pro-independence path and that a formal split from China would be a “dead
end.”
Scholars Mixed about Cross-Strait Ties After DPP's Big
Victory (2016-01-19)
(CNA)
Local scholars have voiced mixed opinions about the direction of ties between
Taiwan and China after the victory of Democratic Progressive Party presidential
candidate Tsai Ing-wen in Saturday's election.
A Stable Transition in Taiwan? (2016-01-19)
(Council
on Foreign Relations, By Eleanor Albert) “If Ms. Tsai fails in her effort to
maintain predictable, stable, and beneficial cross-strait relations, this will
have an undesirable impact on regional security affecting all the neighboring
states,” writes Jerome A. Cohen.
Tsai Faces Challenges to Develop Democracy (2016-01-20)
(Taipei
Times, By Stephen Young) Tsai Ing-wen needs to use the four-month period before
her inauguration on May 20 to present a coherent strategy for reviving the
nation’s lagging economy. Just as important, Tsai needs to continue to reach out
to China as far as her party permits, since a vindictive Beijing would
complicate all her policy goals, including reviving the
economy.
Cross-Strait Peace Is Foundation for Taiwan Democracy: President
Ma (2016-01-24)
(CNA)
President Ma Ying-jeou said that peace is the foundation for Taiwan's democratic
system and stressed the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait and in its
democracy.
Chinese Visitors May Drop by 1/2: Reports (2016-01-24)
(China
Post) The government urged mainland China not to harm cross-strait relations as
reports circulate there may be one-third to one-half reductions in the number of
mainland Chinese tourists visiting the island following the election of DPP
Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen on Jan. 16 as president.
China Largely Shrugs at Shake-Up After Taiwan
Elections (2016-01-19)
(New
York Times, By Didi Kirsten Tatlow) The election of Tsai Ing-wen as president of
Taiwan was met in China with sparse and largely critical comment, suggesting
both a lack of interest toward a candidate whose party’s nativist leanings many
ordinary Chinese do not understand and censorship in the news media and online
forums about an outcome that the Communist Party had not wished to
see.
Will the ‘One China’ Policy Survive the New
Taiwan? (2016-01-19)
(Foreign
Policy, By Daniel Blumenthal) The electoral outcome was significant and could
have ramifications for both Taiwan's relationship with the People’s Republic of
China, as well as the United State’s relationship with the region. Here are a
few implications to consider.
Shawna Yang Ryan on the 1947 Incident That Shaped Taiwan's
Identity (2016-01-23)
(Sinosphere,
By Didi Kirsten Tatlow) Once, Taiwan identity was something divisive and
politicized, but today I think Taiwanese people recognize that it expresses the
shared experiences of the people of Taiwan and encompasses the many forces and
influences that have led to modern Taiwan.
Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Gong Probed (2016-01-20)
(Reuters)
A deputy head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office is being investigated for
suspected “serious discipline violations,” the Chinese Communist Party’s
anti-graft watchdog said.
| |
|
| |
| PLA,
Military Balance and Arms Sales
| |
|
|
| |
|
China Finally Centralizes Its Space, Cyber, Information
Forces (2016-01-20)
(The
Diplomat, By John Costello) The SSF will most form the space and cyber legs of
China’s new strategic deterrent “triad” of nuclear, space, and cyber forces.
Establishing the Rocket Force for nuclear and the Strategic Support Forces for
space and cyber dovetails with China’s evolving national security strategy, and
gives the CMC a clear line of control towards these forces, which will possess
China’s most powerful military weapons.
Will China Become an Aircraft Carrier
Superpower? (2016-01-21)
(Foreign
Policy, By James Holmes) Flattops are more than engines of war. In peacetime,
they are tokens of national commitment, useful for compelling, deterring, or
reassuring in crises short of war. Deploying them to trouble spots telegraphs
resolve, putting allies, prospective antagonists, and bystanders on notice that
the leadership is prepared to use decisive force to get its way. Artfully
employed, they awe outmatched opponents. What’s not to like about a carrier
fleet if you’re Beijing?
US Might Sell Refurbished Harriers to Taiwan:
Report (2016-01-19)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) The US might offer to sell refurbished AV-8B Harrier
Jump Jets to Taiwan, the magazine Defense News said.
| |
|
| |
| Taiwan's
Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
| |
|
|
| |
|
The Significance and
Impact of Taiwan's 2016 Elections (Video) (2016-01-17)
(Taipei
Forum) On January 17, 2016, the Taipei Forum Foundation and the National Taiwan
University's Center for East Asia Democratic Studies co-hosted roundtable
discussions on the domestic, cross-Strait, and international implications of
Taiwan's just-concluded presidential and legislative elections.
-Implications for Taiwan's Domestic
Political Developments
-Implications for Cross-Strait
Ties and Taiwan's External Relations
Voter Turnout Was Lowest Since 1996 (2016-01-18)
(CNA)
Voter turnout for Saturday’s presidential election was the lowest of the six
direct presidential elections since 1996, data compiled by the Central Election
Commission showed.
New Legislature Leaves Gov't in a Bind (2016-01-19)
(China
Post) Members of the Cabinet find themselves in the middle of an awkward
impasse, following the landslide win of the Democratic Progressive Party in both
the presidential and legislative races.
The Real Surprise in Taiwan's Election (2016-01-20)
(The
National Interests, By Kyle Churchman) The DPP’s legislative victory is a
milestone in Taiwan’s history as a democracy, which has been overshadowed by
Tsai’s win.
DPP's Tsai Proposes 'Neutral' LY Speaker (2016-01-21)
(China
Post) With the Democratic Progressive Party winning a majority in the
Legislature, its self-declared next step is carrying out its promised
legislative reforms, including discussing a "neutral"
speaker.
Export Orders Down by 4.4 Percent in '15: Economics
Ministry (2016-01-21)
(China
Post) In 2015, the United States was Taiwan's largest export destination by
country, with orders growing 6.3 percent annually to stand at US$125,953
billion. Orders from China and Hong Kong fell 8.9 percent to US$107.29 billion
as their domestic supply chain continues to expand and dent demand for Taiwanese
components.
Party Identification
Tracking Analysis in Taiwan, December 2015 (2016-01-04)
(TISR)
Taiwan Indicators Survey Research released its December
surveyresults
(in Chinese) on the public's party identities. The percentage of Taiwanese who
expressed support for the KMT or other Pan-Blue parties rose 1.1 percentage
points to 29.3%.
Taiwan Mood Barometer
Survey, First Half of January 2016 (2016-01-14)
(TISR)
President Ma Ying-jeou's approval rating rose 1.5 percentage points over the
first ten days of January, according to the latest Taiwan Mood
Barometer Survey (in
Chinese).
Nations Congratulate Tsai, Stress Cross-Strait
Relations (2016-01-18)
(China
Post) Governments around the world have congratulated President-elect Tsai
Ing-wen on her winning the presidential election and praised the development of
democracy in Taiwan. However, many statements also included messages indicating
the importance of maintaining peace and stability between mainland China and
Taiwan.
Keep the Diplomatic Truce! (2016-01-21)
(PacNet
#9, Pacific Forum, CSIS, By Dennis Hickey) Much more worrisome is Tsai Ing-wen's
harsh criticism of the diplomatic truce and cavalier attitude to it. Some fear
that Tsai might have been preparing Taiwan’s people for an end to the diplomatic
truce and a return to the DPP’s “scorched earth
diplomacy.”
Entering TPP ‘Immensely Advantageous’ for Taiwan (2016-01-24)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) Given all the strategic and security implications,
joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement would be “immensely
advantageous” for Taiwan, a new study said.
| |
|
| |
| China's
Rise and Its Domestic Issues
| |
|
|
| |
|
China G.D.P. Growth at Slowest Pace Since 2009, Data
Shows (2016-01-19)
(New
York Times, By Neil Gough) The economy grew at a 6.8 percent pace in the fourth
quarter — the slowest expansion since March 2009. For the full year, the economy
grew 6.9 percent, just below the government’s target of approximately 7
percent.
Fears about China's Economy Fester at Davos (2016-01-25)
(New
York Times, By Alexandra Stevenson) Fears about China's downshift, as its
official growth slowed to a quarter-century low, have dominated high-level
discussions, both during public debates and in smaller, private
meetings.
Visualizing China's Anti-Corruption
Campaign (2016-01-21)
(ChinaFile)
“Catching Tigers and Flies” is ChinaFile’s new interactive tool for tracking and
better understanding the massive campaign against corruption that China’s
President, Xi Jinping, launched shortly after he came to power in late
2012.
Hong Kong's Missing Booksellers (2016-01-21)
(New
York Times, By Lian Yi-zheng) A Hong Kong publisher specializing in books banned
in China has disappeared mysteriously, sowing fear among Hong Kongers that the
Chinese government is growing bolder about encroaching on their
liberties.
Contact:
Dalton Lin, Executive Editor
| |
|
|
|
