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Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Feb. 1, 2009)
For full text, click on the title or visit the TSR web page at taiwansecurity.org
Cross-Strait Issues
China-Taiwan Relations Become
Bearable By Calum MacLeod
(USA
Today, Jan. 25, 2009) A pair of pandas at the
Taipei Zoo go on public display for the first time
today to celebrate the Chinese New Year. And
they're the cuddliest sign of warmer diplomatic
ties between China and Taiwan.
U.S. Policy
US Urged
to Review Taipei Policy
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 31, 2009) The new administration of US President Barack Obama should
reassess its Taiwan policy and map out how it would deal with Taiwan if the latter chose to align itself with China, a US academic said.
U.S.-China Engagement
White
House Aims to Defuse Furor Over China’s Yuan Policy
(Wall Street Journal, Jan. 27, 2009)
The White House, noting it wants to establish a
"comprehensive" economic relationship with China, said it
won't make a determination about that country's currency until Treasury
provides a report to Congress in the spring.
Clinton
Urges Broader China Approach
(AP, Jan. 28, 2009) The Obama administration is promising stronger
diplomatic engagement with China but also warns that the United
States is ready to handle any Chinese
military threat.
U.S.
Won’t Unilaterally Block China Exports: Biden
(Reuters, Jan. 29, 2009) The United
States will insist China play by international trade rules, but will not
move unilaterally to keep out China's exports, Vice President Joe Biden
said.
Obama
Addresses Global Trade Imbalance with Hu
(AP, Jan. 31, 2009) President Barack Obama opened his
relationship with Chinese President Hu Jintao, promising cooperation in a phone call.
Analysis:
Obama Calls Chinese Leader amid Strains By Tom Raum
(AP, Jan. 30, 2009) Steven Schrage,
an international business analyst at the Center for Strategic and
International Studies, said the exchange of sharp words between Beijing and Washington "is very disturbing. We're going to have to
watch it very carefully.”
Treasuries
Purchases Will Depend on Risk: China’s Wen
(Reuters, Jan. 31, 2009) Future
purchases of U.S. Treasuries by China will depend on its need to protect the value of
its foreign investments and a stable yuan is
in everyone's interests, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said.
Military Balance
Raytheon
Wins Patriot-Upgrade Job from Taiwan
(DefenseNews,
Jan. 26, 2009) Under the contracts, Raytheon will upgrade Taiwan's Patriots to "configuration 3," the
same upgrade the company is completing for the U.S. Army.
Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
Ma
Promises to Lead Nation Through Crisis
(China Post, Jan. 26, 2009) President
Ma Ying-jeou promised to lead Taiwan through
its current economic hardship, as he spoke in a New Year address
televised on the island's major networks.
Participation
in WHA Rests with China: FM
(CNA, Feb. 1, 2009) The key to Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly — the
decision-making arm of the World Health Organization — is held by China, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou said.
China's Rise and Domestic Issues
For
China, New Year Brings Somber Mood By Ted Plafker
(New York Times, Jan. 27, 2009)
This year’s Davos talks will focus not on
heady predictions about a rising China and its growing economic
might. Instead, the question will be how the world — China included — will steer its way through the
deepening global downturn.
China
Cuts off Foes to Spite Its Face By Francesco Sisci
(Asia Times, Jan. 27, 2009) It
could be a risky year for China's leadership, as the global financial crisis, a
series of politically sensitive anniversaries and growing dissent
raise fears of destabilization.
China:
Cautiously Optimistic on Economy
(AP, Jan. 28, 2009) Chinese Premier
Wen Jiabo brought
cautious optimism to the World Economic Forum, predicting that his
country will achieve its target of 8 percent economic growth this
year despite the global financial meltdown.
In
China, a Grass-Roots Rebellion By Ariana Eunjung Cha
(Washington Post, Jan. 29, 2009)
The evolution of Charter 08 is being closely monitored outside China
to see how far the government will go to squelch it.
Virtual
Groundswell
(Editorial, Washington Post, Jan.
30, 2009) A commitment to gradually implement political
liberalization in partnership with a free citizens movement would
make it far easier for the Chinese leadership to manage what is
likely to be a year of crisis.
Violent
Unrest Rocks China As Crisis Hits By Michael Sheridan
(Times, Feb. 1, 2009) Bankruptcies,
unemployment and social unrest are spreading more widely in China than officially reported, according to
independent research that paints an ominous picture for the world
economy.
Regional Issues and Japan Policy
China
Marches on in Africa Despite Downturn By Alistair Thomson
(Reuters, Jan. 27, 2009) Chinese
businessmen are taking a long-term view and pursuing strategic
expansion in Africa even though China's multiplying investments on the continent
have lost some luster in the global downturn.
Japan
Orders Ships to Fight Somalia Pirates
(AP, Jan. 27, 2009) Japan's defense minister ordered the dispatch of
ships to fight pirates off the shores of Somalia, joining countries ranging from the United States to Iran to China in the battle against the outlaws.
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