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| South
China Sea Disputes
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Itu Aba Might Be Key to Philippines v. China (2016-04-30)
(The
Diplomat, By John Ford) Because China will still be able to maintain its claim
to the Spratlys even if it loses the case, the decision on what maritime
entitlements individual features have will matter a great deal. If even one of
the Spratlys is found to be an island entitled to a 200 mile EEZ, China will be
able to plausibly claim that it owns that feature and the 200 mile entitlement
that comes with it, a claim that, while not as large as the nine-dash line,
would still be quite substantial.
China Plans to Build on Scarborough Shoal:
Report (2016-04-26)
(AFP)
Beijing is to start construction this year on a South China Sea islet within the
Philippines’ claimed exclusive economic zone as it seeks to project its power in
the disputed waters, Hong Kong media reported.
President Plans More Troops on Itu Aba (2016-05-01)
(Taipei
Times) As tensions rise in the South China Sea, President Ma Ying-jeou plans to
send additional troops to reinforce the nation’s sole foothold in the Spratly
Islands, government officials said, adding that short-range anti-aircraft
missiles could be positioned on the island for the first time.
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| East
China Sea Disputes and Japan Policy
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Ministry Demands Return of Fishermen (2016-04-26)
(Taipei
Times, By Stacy Hsu) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the Japanese
government to immediately release a Taiwanese fishing boat seized in disputed
waters near the Okinotori atoll in the Pacific Ocean earlier
yesterday.
Tokyo Releases Fishermen After ‘Deposit’ (2016-04-27)
(CNA)
Tokyo reportedly said if it did not receive US$54,240, it would take the crew to
Japan. Some worry paying the money can be interpreted as recognizing Japan’s
EEZ.
President Vows to Protect Fishing Rights (2016-04-28)
(CNA)
President Ma Ying-jeou vowed to safeguard the fishing rights of Taiwanese
fishermen in international waters and denied Japan’s claim that the Okinotori
atoll is an island.
Taipei Summons Japanese Representative (2016-04-30)
(AFP)
Taiwan summoned Japan’s representative to protest its seizure of a Taiwanese
fishing boat in an area where Tokyo claims exclusive rights, while Taipei is
sending two vessels to the waters around the disputed atoll to defend the rights
of the nation’s fishermen.
Taiwan Proposes International Arbitration for Okinotori
Dispute (2016-04-30)
(CNA)
President Ma said he has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to negotiate
the case with Japan. If the dispute still cannot be resolved, the ministry
should consider submitting it to international arbitration, he
added.
Patrol Boats to Protect Fishermen Near Disputed
Atoll (2016-05-01)
(CNA)
Taiwan will send two patrol ships Sunday to international waters near a
Japanese-controlled atoll in the Western Pacific to protect Taiwanese fishermen
operating in the area.
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| U.S.
“Pivot” to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement
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Former Defense Chiefs Call for Asian Trade Deal Obama Isn't Likely
to Get (2016-04-28)
(Foreign
Policy, By David Francis) Eight former Defense Department secretaries want
Congress to take up the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive trade deal with 12
Pacific Rim nations covering 40 percent of global GDP. It’s not likely to happen
any time soon.
Rescind China's Invitation to Join RIMPAC (2016-04-14)
(PacNet
#35, Pacific Forum, CSIS, By Shirley Kan) PLA presence at the premier maritime
warfare exercise remains sensitive, because of concerns about protecting US and
allied technology, tactics, techniques, and procedures; preventing disclosure of
defense articles and services; complying with US laws; and including China but
excluding Taiwan despite US assistance to Taiwan against China’s
threats.
Response to PacNet #35 "Rescind China's Invitation to Join
RIMPAC" (2016-04-19)
(PacNet
#35R, Pacific Forum, CSIS, By Sean P. Quirk) Military-to-military (mil-to-mil)
engagement is a good thing for both the United States and China, if for no other
reason than it humanizes the people in different-colored
uniforms.
China Blocks U.S. Navy Flotilla's Visit to Hong
Kong (2016-04-30)
(New
York Times, By Michael S. Schmidt and Michael Forsythe) The Chinese government
on Thursday denied a Navy flotilla access to the port in Hong Kong, the latest
sign of escalating tension between the United States and
China.
China, Russia Decry US Missile Plan on Korean
Peninsula (2016-04-30)
(AFP)
China and Russia criticized US plans to put a missile defense system on the
Korean Peninsula, less than 24 hours after Pyongyang twice tested rockets
thought to be capable of reaching US territory.
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| DPP
Searches for New China Stance; Cross-Strait Issues
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China's Taiwan Tragedy: A 'Squeeze Play' That Could Go Very
Wrong (2016-04-25)
(The
National Interest, By Elizabeth C. Economy) Taiwan may be small but it is not a
small matter. At stake is not only our relationship with Beijing but also
American values and principles, which are exemplified by Taiwan’s vibrant and
determined democracy.
Tsai Vows to Promote China Ties Based on Will of
Nationals (2016-04-28)
(CNA)
President-elect Tsai Ing-wen pledged that her administration will promote ties
with mainland China based on democratic principles and on Taiwanese public
opinion.
US Opposes Chinese Coercion (2016-04-30)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that
Washington wanted to make sure that Taiwan could not be coerced by China to do
things “against the will of its people.”
DPP's Oversight Bill Flawed, Sunflower Activist
Says (2016-04-25)
(Taipei
Times) Prominent Sunflower movement activist Lin Fei-fan said in a recent
interview with ‘Liberty Times’ that the DPP's draft act on monitoring
cross-strait agreements is plagued by major flaws, and called on the DPP to hold
talks with New Power Party and activists to give the international community
more clarity on Taiwan’s diverse opinions on the issue.
Taiwan Protests Deportation of 32 from Malaysia (2016-05-01)
(CNA)
Taiwan yesterday lodged a formal protest against Malaysia for deporting 32
Taiwanese fraud suspects to China.
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| Taiwan's
Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
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DPP to Set Up Committee on US Pork (2016-04-26)
(Taipei
Times, By Stacy Hsu) Executive Yuan spokesman-designate Tung Chen-yuan said the
incoming government would establish an intra-ministerial negotiation mechanism
to discuss issues concerning imports of US pork with ractopamine residue,
pledging that the public’s food safety would not be sacrificed.
KMT Steadfast on Refusal of Ractopamine Pork
Imports (2016-04-26)
(Taipei
Times, By Chen Wei-han) Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chih-ching
reiterated the council’s opposition to imports of US pork containing the
leanness-promoting additive ractopamine, following controversial remarks by
agriculture minister-designate Tsao Chi-hung, who said US pork imports are an
inevitable part of the nation’s push to join the US-led Trans-Pacific
Partnership.
TSU, Hog Farmers Stage Rally Against US Pork
Imports (2016-04-28)
(Taipei
Times, By Loa Iok-sin) The Taiwan Solidarity Union and pig farmers from Pingtung
County demonstrated outside the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei against a
proposed lifting of a ban on imports of US pork products, and vowed to mobilize
larger protests if the incoming DPP government does not maintain the
ban.
US Pork Decision Lies with Leaders: AIT (2016-04-29)
(Taipei
Times, By Stacy Hsu) American Institute in Taiwan Director Kin Moy said that the
decision to open the Taiwanese market and allow the import of US pork containing
ractopamine residue should be made by the nation’s leaders in consultation with
the public, but added that adjustments are necessary to build trade ties with
the international community.
No ‘Preset Stance’ on Pork with Ractopamine: Tsai (2016-05-01)
(CNA)
President-elect Tsai Ing-wen said her administration will achieve its goals
through communication and negotiation, and during that process, it will consider
the development of the domestic pig farming industry, food safety and
international standards.
Hsieh Confirms His Appointment As Envoy to Japan (2016-04-28)
(Taipei
Times) Former premier Frank Hsieh confirmed he would be appointed representative
to Japan, adding that his mission would be to enhance cooperation between the
two countries, but that he would not form any anti-China alliance with
Japan.
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| China's
Rise and Its Domestic Issues
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China Gives Police Broad Powers Over Foreign
Nonprofits (2016-04-28)
(Wall
Street Journal, By Josh Chin) The Obama administration reacted quickly and
sternly to the law’s passage, warning that while it was better than earlier
versions, it would constrict contacts between individuals and groups in the U.S.
and China.
‘Mighty Current’: Beijing’s Creeping Control over Hong Kong
Media (2016-04-29)
(The
Diplomat, By Madeline Earp) The sale of the South China Morning Post illustrates
the changing dynamics of the information marketplace, and augurs more Freedom of
the Press declines to come. But the case of the booksellers, by showing the
impact of such dynamics on individuals at work and on vacation, demonstrates
what personal freedoms have already been lost. More censorship, and more
self-censorship, seem likely to follow.
Is Cheap Oil Easing China's Energy Fear? (2016-04-28)
(The
Diplomat, By Lyle J. Goldstein) The point is made emphatically that the dragon
remains very thirsty for oil and gas despite a slowing economy, accounting as it
does for about 22 percent of total world energy consumption, according to this
study.
Contact:
Dalton Lin, Executive Editor
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