WTO Basis for CECA Talks: Yiin
(China
Post, Feb. 23, 2009) Taipei officials tried to deny a
comprehensive economic cooperation arrangement
between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait isn't the first step toward
Chinese unification.
No Timetable for Signing CECA
with China: Premier
(CNA,
Feb. 25, 2009) The government has not set a
timetable for the signing of a Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement with China, because this will
depend partly on the progress of negotiations
between the two sides, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan said.
CECA Is Non-political: Ma
(China Post, Feb. 28, 2009) President
Ma Ying-jeou reiterated
that the unification-independence issue has nothing
to do with the economic pact that Taiwan is seeking to sign with China in order to boost the island's
competitiveness.
Content of Pact Must Be OK’d
by the Legislature: MAC Head
(CNA,
Feb. 28, 2009) If Taiwan signs a Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreement with China, it would not take effect
unless the Legislature approves it, Taiwan's top China-policy planner
reiterated.
CECA Comes with Big Hidden
Costs By Tsai Ing-Wen
(Taipei Times, Mar. 1, 2009) The
signing of CECA would not only affect issues such
as Taiwanese sovereignty and economic autonomy, but
also affect the lives of ordinary Taiwanese. It is
simplistic to argue that the DPP opposes the CECA
merely on ideological grounds.
Beijing Welcomes Visit by
Former VP Lu
(China
Post, Feb. 26, 2009) Beijing would welcome any visitors as
long they embrace a peaceful approach to
cross-strait relations, a Chinese official said in
response to pro-independence ex-Taiwan Vice
President Annette Lu's offer to visit China.
The Bottom Line That Taiwan
Faces By Dennis
V. Hickey
(Taipei Times, Mar. 1, 2009)
Irrespective of evidence and arguments to the
contrary, it is important to understand that
Chinese at both elite and popular levels perceive Taiwan to be an integral part of China.
Clinton's
Visit to China
and U.S.-China Engagement
China
Hails ‘Positive Results’ of Clinton Visit
(AP, Feb. 24, 2009) China gave U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton a glowing review following
her weekend visit, during which she steered clear of human rights
issues and focused instead on matters such as trade and finance.
Clinton’s
Candor Abroad Draws Mixed Reviews By Glenn Kessler
(Washington Post, Feb. 23, 2009) In
foreign policy circles, Clinton's remarks on human rights have stirred
consternation that she is giving up possible leverage with China before
any dialogue has begun.
Not So Obvious
(Editorial, Washington Post, Feb. 24,
2009) No doubt there is a predictable rhythm both to U.S. protests and to Beijing's responses. That hardly makes them unimportant.
US Hits
China on Human Rights By Matthew Lee
(AP, Feb. 26, 2009) The United States
scolded China for a litany of human rights abuses last year even
though Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton suggested during her
recent Beijing visit that the issue would take a back seat to
broader concerns like the global financial crisis.
U.S. and
China Revive Military Talks
(New York Times, Mar. 1, 2009) Two
days of military consultations between the United States and China
ended Saturday with glowing reviews from the senior Pentagon official
at the talks.
U.S.,
China End Talks with Plans for More By Maureen Fan
(Washington Post, Mar. 1, 2009) China and the Obama administration concluded their first military
consultations Saturday without setting a timetable for high-level
exchanges while agreeing to begin working-level talks Monday.
Taiwan's Domestic Issues
An
Interview with Ma Ying-jeou
(New York Times, Feb. 22, 2009)
Following is a transcript of an interview
with President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan, on Feb. 12. Keith Bradsher,
of The New York Times, and Jeanne Moore, of The International Herald
Tribune, conducted the interview.
The
President, the Cabinet, and the Lawmakers’ Approval Ratings
(GVSRC, Feb. 23, 2009) 34.5% of
Taiwanese people approve President Ma’s performance over the past nine
months. The approval rate is 33% for Premier Liu.
Taiwan’s
Export Orders, Production Plunge by Records
(Bloomberg, Feb. 24, 2009) Taiwan’s export orders and industrial output fell by
records in January, threatening to stoke unemployment and deepen the
island’s recession.
Taiwan’s
Ex-Leader Back in Court on Graft Charges
(AFP, Feb. 24, 2009) Taiwan's ex-president Chen Shui-bian
returned to court on corruption allegations, less than two weeks after
his wife pleaded guilty to money laundering and forgery in the same
case.
China's Rise and Domestic Issues
China’s
Quiet Activists By Shawn Shieh
(YaleGlobal,
Feb. 25, 2009) China’s acceptance of the 512 Center stands in marked
contrast to the suppression of the human-rights group “Charter 08” and serves as a reminder of the government’s
evolving approach toward civil society.
Worst
Drought in Half Century Shrivels the Wheat Belt of China By Michael Wines (New York Times, Feb. 25, 2009) A normally dry
rural region has been parched in recent months, aggravating economic
problems facing the Beijing government.
Outlook
on China: Peaceful Partner or Warmonger? By Malou Innocent (Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 26, 2009) If
it can't maintain the steady growth it's promised, experts fear China's
leaders might bolster their legitimacy by other means, such as
exploiting Chinese nationalism and directing popular discontent
toward outside targets.
Japan Policy
Taiwan,
Japan Reach Deal After Ocean Incident
(Reuters, Feb. 28, 2009) Taiwan and Japan agreed during talks in Taiwan to share any urgent information about fishing
boat activity and to let a pair of non-governmental agencies hash
out any disputes.
