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| South
China Sea Disputes and Other Regional Issues
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Why Does China Want to Control the South China
Sea? (2016-05-24)
(The
Diplomat, By Donald K. Emmerson) For Asia and the wider world, the relevance of
these uncertainties is clear. But the original, primary question—what China
wants—can be retired, at least for now. It has been answered by China’s
behavior. The notion that the government of China does not know what it wants in
the South China Sea is no longer tenable. Its actual behavior says what it
wants. It wants to control the South China Sea.
A Chinese ADIZ in the South China Sea: The Ultimate Bargaining
Chip?? (2016-05-25)
(The
National Interest, By Harry J. Kazianis) While the world wonders whether the
People’s Republic of China is taking incremental steps towards establishing an
ADIZ in the South China Sea, detailed analysis of Beijing’s already established
ADIZ in the East China Sea seems to point to an interesting conclusion: it may
not be actively enforcing the zone and it could be part of a sophisticated
“bargaining” strategy.
Benigno Aquino Says U.S. Must Act if China Moves on Reef in South
China Sea (2016-05-20)
(New
York Times, By Javier C. Hernandez) President Benigno S. Aquino III said
Thursday that the United States would be obligated to take military action in
the South China Sea if China moved to reclaim Scarborough Shoal directly off the
Philippine shore.
New Vietnamese PM Says Won’t Pursue Military Buildup in the South
China Sea (2016-05-25)
(Reuters,
By Martin Petty and Mai Nguyen) Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said his
country was not pursuing a military buildup over the South China Sea and would
work with allies to seek peaceful solutions to disputes, with no use of
force.
Southeast Asia's Dance with China (2016-05-26)
(New
York Times, By Chris Horton) As Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia face
their own developmental challenges, they must also contend with maritime
friction with China.
Need For Message on South, East China Seas:
G7 (2016-05-27)
(Reuters)
G7 leaders yesterday agreed on the need to send a strong message on maritime
claims in the western Pacific, where an increasingly assertive China is locked
in territorial disputes with Japan and several Southeast Asian
nations.
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| Japan
Policy
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Gov't Has 'No Specific Position' on Okinotori:
Cabinet (2016-05-24)
(China
Post, By Yuan-Ming Chiao) In an apparent reversal of the previous
administration's policies, Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan said Tuesday that
the government had no "specific position" on whether the Okinotori reefs
constitute an island.
Talks Best to Protect Fishermen: Cabinet (2016-05-25)
(Taipei
Times) The new government hopes to use dialogue with Japan to address the rights
of Taiwanese fishermen in disputed waters. Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan says
that the government believes peaceful negotiation rather than clashes and
disputes are more likely to resolve the issue in the interest of all
parties.
Minister Confident Ahead of Fisheries Talks (2016-05-25)
(Taipei
Times, By Stacy Hsu) Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee is confident that
during the July-round of bilateral talks with Tokyo regarding the Okinotori
atoll disputes, the DPP government will be able secure the interests of
Taiwanese fishermen.
Taiwan Boats Can Operate Near Okinotori: Minister (2016-05-26)
(China
Post, by Joseph Yeh) Foreign Minister David Lee on Wednesday reassured Taiwanese
fishermen that they can now operate in the high seas near a Japan-claimed atoll
in the Pacific Ocean without being detained by the Japanese coast
guard.
Ex-NSC Secretary-General To Lead Relations With
Japan (2016-05-28)
(Taipei
Times/CNA) Former National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Chiou I-jen
yesterday took over as chairman of the Association of East Asian Relations,
which handles relations with Japan in the absence of bilateral diplomatic
ties.
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| U.S.
“Pivot” to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement
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U.S. Lift Arms Embargo on Vietnam (2016-05-23)
(Wall
Street Journal, By Carole E. Lee and James Hookway) The U.S. will lift a
decades-old ban on sales of lethal arms to Vietnam, a major policy shift that
President Barack Obama said would end a “lingering vestige of the Cold War” and
pave the way for more-normal ties between the two nations.
Despite Obama's Moves, Asian Nations Skeptical of U.S.
Commitment (2016-05-24)
(New
York Times, By David E. Sanger) As Mr. Obama’s time in office comes to an end,
Asian nations are deeply skeptical about how much they can rely on Washington’s
commitment and staying power in the region. They sense that for the first time
in memory, Americans are questioning whether their economic and defense
interests in Asia are really that vital.
China Wary as Obama Permits US Arms Sales to
Vietnam (2016-05-26)
(The
Diplomat, By Peter Bittner) “Denying any linkage, they believe, simply delays an
inevitable day of reckoning,” said Mark Thompson, who went as far as to liken
Obama’s removal of the embargo to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution—an act which
ultimately precipitated the Vietnam War.
South Korea, Japan to Hold Missile Defense Drill in
June (2016-05-23)
(The
Diplomat, By Franz-Stefan Gady) South Korea and Japan will join the United
States in a joint missile defense exercise on or around June 28 off the coast of
Hawaii.
In Obama's Visit to Hiroshima, a Complex Calculus of Asian
Politics (2016-05-26)
(New
York Times, By Gardiner Harris) The visit to Hiroshima “is a gesture of respect
for the Japanese people,” Benjamin Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser,
said, adding: “It’s always been evident that it would be meaningful for the
Japanese people to pay this kind of visit, and insofar as it helps us to advance
this alliance, that’s important.”
Inquiry Highlights Terry McAuliffe’s Ties to Chinese
Company (2016-05-25)
(New
York Times, By Nicholas Confessore and Stephanie Saul) “If you really want to
influence, let’s say, U.S.-China policy,” Dandong’s general counsel said, “it’s
almost worth it to have emphasis and influence on the state
level.”
Geoeconomics and Statecraft in the Asia-Pacific (2016-05-21)
(The
Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) The following interview addresses the relationship of
geoeconomic statecraft to traditional hard power; China’s geoeconomic clout
(including the One Belt, One Road initiative); the Trans-Pacific Partnership and
its effect on U.S. geoeconomic clout in Asia; and the importance of expanded
U.S. geoeconomic interaction with India.
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| DPP
Searches for New China Stance; Cross-Strait Issues
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Minister Lin Enters WHA Without Issue (2016-05-24)
(China
Post) Taiwan's delegation to the 69th World Health Assembly (WHA) smoothly
entered the conference hall in Geneva at 9:10 a.m. (local time), on Monday,
without any reaction from China's delegation, before the assembly opened at 9:30
a.m., the Central News Agency reported from Geneva.
Handshake at WHA at Geneva (2016-05-25)
(Taipei
Times, By Jake Chung) Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Tzou-yien, head of the
Taiwanese delegation shook hands with his Chinese counterpart Li Bin of China’s
National Health and Family Planning Commission at the World Health Assembly
(WHA) in Geneva.
Health Minister Lin Tzou-yien Addresses WHA (2016-05-26)
(China
Post) Lin's much-anticipated five minute speech in front of the assembly was
delivered fully in English. He repeatedly referred to the country as "Chinese
Taipei," rather than Taiwan. By the end, the health minister had made no mention
of "Taiwan" in his speech, although at one point he referred to "the Taiwanese
population."
No 'Taiwan' in WHA Address a 'Cross-Ministry
Decision' (2016-05-27)
(China
Post, By Joseph Yeh) The decision to not mention Taiwan during Health Minister
Lin Tzou-yien's speech at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva was a
cross-ministry decision, and was not taken by the Health and Welfare Ministry
alone. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Eleanor Wang explains that while the Health
and Welfare ministry is responsible for the nation’s meaningful participation at
the convention, the Foreign Ministry is tasked with ensuring that this
participation is carried out smoothly.
Premier Says Use of Chinese Taipei Name ‘Unsatisfactory, but
Acceptable’ (2016-05-27)
(Taipei
Times/CNA, By Alison Hsiao) Premier Lin Chuan yesterday said that “Chinese
Taipei,” a name Taiwan uses in many international organizations, is
“unsatisfactory, but acceptable."
President Tsai Praises WHA Mission As A Success (2016-05-28)
(China
Post, by Stephanie Chao) President Tsai Ing-wen described the nation's World
Health Assembly delegation to Geneva as a "successful mission," stating on
Friday that Taiwan's standing at the WHA had not been "downgraded," despite
attending under the moniker "Chinese Taipei."
Beijing Heightens Its Rhetoric Toward New Tsai
Administration (2016-05-27)
(China
Post, By Yuan-Mind Chiao) Beijing has increased the volume of rhetoric directed
at Tapei, but neither confirms nor denies plans to conduct massive military
exercises as a warning to the Democratic Progressive Party administration not to
pursue Taiwanese independence.
Cross-Strait Relations' Possible Impact on the Farming
Sector (2016-05-29)
(China
Post, By John Liu) Cross-strait fishing and agricultural cooperation has grown
substantially over the past couple years, making the mainland one of Taipei’s
greatest consumers. However, this partnership is in choppy waters after Beijing
introduced tougher import standards in concurrence with the election of
President Tsai and her new government.
Former President Ma Finds Common Ground in Tsai's Inauguration
Speech (2016-05-23)
(China
Post) Former President Ma in high spirits after President Tsai’s inaugural
address promises to uphold the Republic of China's Constitution, conduct
cross-strait relations based on relevant legislation, and shelve regional
disputes in favor of joint development.
No Change to Cross-Strait Trade Under Tsai:
TAITRA (2016-05-27)
(China
Post, Enru Li) The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) President
Peter Huang said Thursday he expected usual cross-strait economic and trade
activities to continue under President Tsai Ing-wen's administration. He
explained the administration’s commitment to the new ‘go south’ policy would not
reduce trade with mainland China, but instead, just expand Taiwanese economic
transactions into new markets.
I Would Not Support Taiwan Independence: Taiwan Defense
Minister (2016-05-24)
(China
Post/Asia News Network) Later in the day, he moderated his stance when pressed
by DPP legislator Kuan Bi-ling, saying "of course I would abide by the will of
the people, just as we all should support Chairwoman Tsai, who was elected
president."
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| Military
Balance and Arms Sales
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Tsai Looks to Top Gov't Sectors to Beef Up
Cybersecurity (2016-05-25)
(China
Post, By Stephanie Chao) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and
Analysis, Marcus Jadotte and his delegation, made up of 14 U.S. cybersecurity
companies, met with Tsai to discuss cybersecurity issues and collaboration in
the digital economy.
Taiwan To Go Ahead With Cyberarmy Plan: Ministry (2016-05-27)
(Taipei
Times, By Jason Pan) In terms of military strategic planning, Minister of
National Defense Feng Shih-kuan said the cyberarmy would engage in asymmetric
digital warfare and would be a deterrent against enemy forces.
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| Taiwan's
Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
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Taiwan Drops Charges Against Protestors in Government
Sit-In (2016-05-24)
(New
York Times, By Austin Ramzy) “The Sunflower Movement was a political matter, and
not really a simple legal matter,” Taiwan's Premier Lin Chuan said in a written
statement.
Tsai Sworn In For Another Term as DPP Chairwoman (2016-05-25)
(China
Post, By Stephanie Chao) Tsai Ing-wen has been sworn in for another term as DPP
chairwoman. In her opening remarks, she reiterated a commitment to pragmatic
over passionate policy making, while still promising to deliver on her party’s
reformist platform- especially in terms of incorporating youth into party
affairs.
Taiwan's 'New Era' and the Legislative Yuan (2016-05-28)
(The
Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) Rather than debating with the KMT, the DPP is now
primarily negotiating within itself to create draft bills, a DPP legislative
assistant told The Diplomat. Different interests within the party have always
existed, but with more than ever at stake – the ability to pass legislation with
relative ease, compared to the party’s opposition days – these internal debates
are now more important and apparent.
China's Taiwan Squeeze (2016-05-22)
(Wall
Street Journal) Now would be a good time for the U.S., including the presumptive
presidential candidates, to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to its democratic
Chinese partners in Taipei.
Taiwan, U.S. Might Hold Security Talks (2016-05-25)
(Taipei
Times, By William Lowther) University of Richmond Associate Dean and professor
of Political Science Vincent Wei-cheng and other Washington sources confirm that
negotiations are underway to arrange a security meeting between Taiwan and the
United States, though the topic and location have yet to be decided.
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