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Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Jan. 11, 2009)
For full text, click on the title or visit the TSR web page at taiwansecurity.org
Cross-Strait Issues
China,
Taiwan to Talk Business
(Reuters,
Jan. 6, 2009) Top negotiators from rivals Taiwan and China will meet again this week to
discuss issues facing island investors who see China as an important but
increasingly difficult place to do business amid
the global economic crisis.
China Signals Thaw on Taiwan By Eli Lake
(Washington
Times, Jan. 7, 2009) China
specialists say the incoming administration will
inherit the best prospects in years for a thaw in
relations between China and Taiwan,
easing a perennial irritant in U.S.-China
relations.
A Tale of Two Museums Unfolds
As Taiwan-China Rivalry Thaws
(AFP,
Jan. 11, 2009) The major museums of long-term
rivals Taiwan and China are planning unprecedented
exchange visits and could hold a joint exhibition
as the once-bitter distance between them narrows.
U.S. Policy and U.S.-China Engagement
What Hu
Jintao Should Expect: Predictions about Obama Administration Policy
toward Taiwan By Bonnie S. Glaser (PacNet
#1, Pacific Forum, CSIS, Jan. 5, 2009) Taiwan remains one of the most
sensitive and divisive issues between the United States and
China. What should Chinese President Hu
Jintao expect from President Obama on this critically important issue?
Will Obama Push China Harder? By Howard LaFranchi
(Christian Science Monitor, Jan. 8,
2009) Even on Taiwan, Freeman says, the Chinese leadership is
appreciative of how the Bush administration has handled it – and worried
about the impact of any change on the sensitive issue from a new
American president.
US Bill
Calls for Diplomatic Ties
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 11, 2009) While the resolution is unlikely to be adopted,
it would ensure that the issue of Taiwan remains present in the minds of politicians.
Rice
Cancels China Trip Due to Gaza; Negroponte to Visit
(Bloomberg, Jan. 5, 2009) U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice canceled a planned visit to China this week; Deputy
Secretary of State John
Negroponte will travel to Beijing to attend events to mark
the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries.
China
Losing Taste for Debt from the U.S. By Keith Bradsher
(New York Times, Jan. 8, 2009) The
declining Chinese appetite for United
States debt, apparent in a series of hints from Chinese
policy makers over the last two weeks, comes at an inconvenient time.
PLA
China at
Sea By Hugo Restall
(Wall Street Journal Asia, Jan. 6,
2009) Comments by China's national defense spokesman last month make it
about as official as it's going to get: China's navy is in the market
for an aircraft carrier. This is a sign that Beijing sees its ultimate prize within grasp: emergence as
East
Asia's
preeminent great power.
China
Sails into New World Order By Frank Ching
(Globe and Mail, Jan. 6, 2009) This
week, three Chinese vessels join an international task force operating
in the Gulf of Aden to protect shipping from attacks by Somali pirates,
marking the first time since the 15th century that Chinese warships
have sailed so far from home.
China
Starts Buying South African Arms By Andrei Chang
(UPI, Jan. 8, 2009) China has had a number of dealings with South African
weapons manufacturers over the past decade, most of which have not
resulted in actual weapons purchases. However, several recent
Chinese-made military technologies bear suspicious resemblances to
their South African counterparts.
China
Making Leaps in Space By Peter J. Brown
(Asia Times, Jan. 9, 2009) China ended 2008 with 11 successful launches, and set a
new record for launches in a single year. China intends to set another new record this year.
Military Balance
Pentagon
Wary of PRC-Taiwan Ties
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 7, 2008) Pentagon officials are worried that increasingly
warm relations across the Taiwan Strait could give China new opportunities to spy on Taiwan’s US-made weapons systems.
Agencies
Mull Warships to Somalia
(Taipei Times, Jan. 9, 2009) The
government is studying the possibility of sending warships to protect
Taiwanese fishing boats in the waters off Somalia, a high-ranking
official at the Mainland Affairs Council said yesterday.
Government
Still Mulling Use of Anti-Piracy Frigates
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 10, 2009) Sending navy ships to Somalia to protect Taiwanese vessels is a complex issue
that hinges on the world’s perception of the nation, lawmakers said.
Taiwan's Domestic Issues
Pre-Trial
Hearings Open for Former Pres. Chen’s Case on January 19 (China Post, Jan. 6, 2008) The Taipei district court will
start pre-trial hearings of former President Chen Shui-bian's
graft and money laundering case on January 19.
Taiwan
Haunted by Plunging Exports, Job Cuts
(Reuters, Jan. 8, 2009) Taiwan announced exports plunged a record 42 percent in
December from a year ago amid the worst global downturn since the Great
Depression.
China's Rise and Domestic Issues
China
Accelerates Filling Up Its Oil Reserves
(Wall Street Journal, Jan. 5, 2009)
China recently completed construction of four
oil-reserve bases -- together representing the first phase of its
strategic oil-reserve plan. Those bases can hold 102 million barrels
of crude oil, and China is now pushing ahead with the construction of
the second phase.
China
Face Economic Pain, Sensitive Anniversaries By Christopher Bodeen (AP, Jan. 6, 2009) The year ahead will
challenge Chinese security officials increasingly nervous about
social stability, the nation's top police officer said.
China’s
2009 Remake By Rana Foroohar,
Melinda Liu and Mary Hennock (Newsweek, Jan. 10, 2009) Ambassador Wu Jianmin is one of China's most experienced envoys. Last month, he
chatted about China's next challenges with NEWSWEEK's
Rana Foroohar,
Melinda Liu and Mary Hennock.
China’s
Reluctance to Reform By Willy Lam
(Asia
Times, Jan. 10, 2009) Given the bunker mentality that seems to be
prevalent among the CCP leadership, it seems improbable that the Hu-Wen team will in the near future duplicate the
bold, visionary - and risky - reforms unveiled by late patriarch Deng
30 years ago.
Japan Policy
Japan
Says China’s Gas Drilling ‘Regrettable’
(Reuters, Jan. 5, 2009) Japan's
foreign minister said Tokyo had protested over Chinese gas drilling
in a disputed East China Sea field, which it called regrettable,
and urged Beijing to resume talks quickly.
Japan, China Meet
Over Gas Row
(AFP, Jan. 9, 2009) JAPAN and China held talks on a renewed row over gas fields in
the East China Sea, a dispute that has long clouded ties between Asia's two biggest economies.
Envoy
to Japan Ready to Upgrade Two-Way Ties
(CNA, Jan. 6, 2009) Taiwan's top
envoy to Japan, John C. T. Feng, promised
to do his best to enhance and cement ties between the two
countries.
Talks
with Japan on Fishing Rights to Open Next Month
(Taipei Times, Jan. 7, 2008) The
16th round of talks between Japan and Taiwan on fishing rights
disputes will be held in Taipei next month, MOFA said, but added
that the matter of sovereignty over the Diaoyutai
islands would not be discussed.
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