Weekly290309

Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Mar. 29, 2009)

For full text, click on the title or visit the TSR web page at taiwansecurity.org

Pentagon PRC Military Power Report 2009 and PLA

Military Power of the People’s Republic of China 2009

China Criticizes New US Report on Its Military
(AP, Mar. 26, 2009) China slammed a newly released U.S. report on Beijing's growing military power as a "gross distortion," saying Thursday that it could damage military relations between the two countries.

U.S. Sees Chinese Military Rise, and a Need for More Contact By Thom Shanker (New York Times, Mar. 26, 2009) China is seeking technology and weapons to disrupt the traditional advantages of American forces, and secrecy surrounding its military creates the potential for miscalculation on both sides, according to a Pentagon study released.

China’s Defense Tab Sharply Up, U.S. Says By Ann Scott Tyson
(Washington Post, Mar. 26, 2009) China's defense spending is far outpacing that of other nations in its region, and its aggressive development of ballistic and cruise missiles and attack submarines threatens to upset the balance of power in Asia and beyond, according to a Pentagon report released.

China Confirms It Will Build Aircraft Carrier: State Press
(AFP, Mar. 24, 2009) China will develop an aircraft carrier in line with its status as a major global power, state press reported National Defense Minister Liang Guanglie as saying.

China Flash of Maritime Muscle May Mean Power Push in Asia Seas By Dune Lawrence (Bloomberg, Mar. 24, 2009) China’s flash of maritime muscle earlier this month against a U.S. Navy ship has put its neighbors and America on watch against a bolder push to exert sovereignty in regional waters.

U.S. Policy and U.S.-China Engagement

U.S. House Reaffirms Taiwan Commitment
(AFP, Mar. 26, 2009) The House of Representatives in a voice vote approved a resolution that pledged an “unwavering commitment” to the Taiwan Relations Act and called it a “cornerstone” of U.S. policy.

US Senator Call on Obama to Voice Support for TRA
(Taipei Times, Mar. 29, 2009) Nearly a third of the Senate wrote a letter asking the president to show the US' support for continued freedom and prosperity in Taiwan.

Analysis: Clinton Pushes for Stronger China Role By Foster Klug
(AP, Mar. 27, 2009) Clinton is pushing to ensure that her diplomatic corps is not marginalized as the United States engages a country the Obama administration needs as a partner in efforts to solve the world's major problems.

Cross-Strait Issues

ECFA Will Divide Society: Tsai
(Taipei Times, Mar. 25, 2009) Tsai said the DPP is opposed to any treaty signed under the “one China” framework and the party opposes any economic treaty with China that would lead to a serious loss of jobs in Taiwan.

Military Balance

Preparing for an Attack from China By Lee Wen-chung
(Taipei Times, Mar. 25, 2009) Not only should the government strive to upgrade its modern aircraft, warship, anti-ballistic missiles and C4ISR systems, but its core combat capabilities should also be based on sustainable and asymmetric warfare.

DPP Caucus Chief Slams Change in Military Drill
(Taipei Times, Mar. 27, 2009) A Democratic Progressive Party legislator slammed the government for changing the scenario for this year's military drill from defense against a Chinese military attack into military action in case of a “domestic crisis.”

Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations

Survey on Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Agreement and President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Mar. 23, 2009) 68.2% of Taiwanese say they are concerned with signing an economic cooperation agreement with China. Meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating ten months after his inauguration is 28.6%.

TVBS Poll on President Ma’s Approval Rating
(TVBS Public Opinion Center, Mar. 23, 2009) 29% of respondents are satisfied with President Ma’s performance.

Jobless Rate Hits 31-Year High of 5.75% in Feb.
(China Post, Mar. 24, 2009) Taiwan's February jobless rate surged to the highest level of 5.75 percent in 31 years or since the first official unemployment survey was conducted in 1978.

Taiwan’s Former President Goes on Trial for Corruption By Michael Wines (New York Times, Mar. 27, 2009) Mr. Chen has maintained the charges are a plot by Taiwan’s current president, Ma Ying-jeou, to win favor with China’s government.

Ou Likely to Miss Talks on WHA
(Taipei Times, Mar. 28, 2009) Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou said he would most likely be absent from upcoming negotiations with China on Taiwan’s bid to become an observer at the WHA, but hopes the talks will be launched before the Boao Forum on Apr. 17.

China's Rise and Domestic Issues

China Arrests Monks in Attack By Gillian Wong
(AP, Mar. 23, 2009) Hundreds of Tibetans attacked a police station and government officials in northwestern China despite heightened security, prompting the arrests of nearly 100 monks.

China Urges New Money Reserve to Replace Dollar By David Barboza (New York Times, Mar. 24, 2009) In another indication that China is growing increasingly concerned about holding huge dollar reserves, the head of its central bank has called for the eventual creation of a new international currency reserve to replace the dollar.

Meltdown 101: Will China Global Currency Idea Fly? By Christopher S. Rugaber (AP, Mar. 24, 2009) China's central bank has called for the creation of a new global currency as an alternative to the dollar, in the latest sign of that country's growing assertiveness on the international stage. But would the idea even work?

China Challenges US Global Financial Leadership By Elaine Kurtenbach (AP, Mar. 28, 2009) The only major economy still growing at a fast clip, China is being unusually forthright in challenging the U.S.-led global order ahead of an April 2 summit on the financial crisis.

China Rises Again—Part I By Wang Gungwu
(YaleGlobal, Mar. 25, 2009) Wang predicts that modern Chinese leaders will rely on ancient principles to achieve timeless goals: the economic global can serve as a means in establishing a prosperous and powerful state that wields global influence.

China Rise Again—Part II By Glenn D. Tiffert
(YaleGlobal, Mar. 27, 2009) Tiffert concludes that it's expected for China to flex its new power and even propose new rules, but those rules should be transparent, subject to international debate and applicable to all.

Regional Issues and Japan Policy

China, Philippines Stoke Island Tensions By Joel D Adriano
(Asia Times, Mar. 27, 2009) The Philippines stirred a diplomat hornet's nest with China and others when it passed a new law this month that defines its national maritime boundaries to include the long-disputed and potentially fuel-rich Spratly islands in the South China Sea.

Australia Blocks China’s Purchase of Mining Company
(New York Times, Mar. 28, 2009) Citing national security, Australia blocked one of several acquisitions China is seeking in the country’s natural resources sector.

Japanese Military Assumes More Global Role By Eric Talmadge
(AP, Mar. 22, 2009) The political leadership and military planners _ with the blessing of Washington, their closest ally _ are cautiously moving the military away from its longtime role as a stay-at-home force.

Japan Set to Fire at N. Korean Missile if Launch Goes Awry By Blaine Harden (Washington Post, Mar. 28, 2009) Japan ordered its military on Friday to destroy a North Korean missile or its debris if the launch fails and falling pieces of the rocket imperil Japanese territory.

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