:::
- Academic Warns A Peace Accord Would be Bad for Taiwan (2019-02-22)
(Taipei Times/CNA) Two international law experts questioned the necessity of a cross-strait peace accord between Taiwan and China. Both legal experts remarked that the peace accord would not benefit Taiwan and would imply that Taiwan is part of China. Raymond Sung, one of the legal experts, suggested that Taiwan's participation in international organizations is more crucial that signing a peace accord. <Accessed 2019-02-22> - Over 60 Civic Groups to March on 72nd Anniversary of 228 Incident (2019-02-22)
(CNA, By Wang Cheng-chung and William Yen) More than 60 civic groups will participate on a march on February 28 to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the 228 incident, the crackdown against the anti-government uprising in 1947. The march will walk through the sites connected to the 228 Incident. The organizers remarked that the event seeks to remind Taiwanese that achieving freedom is not easy and represents Taiwan's fight for transitional justice. <Accessed 2019-02-22> - 155 EU Parliamentarians Call on China to Talk with Taiwan (2019-02-22)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) As many as 155 European parliamentarians have signed a joint statement urging China to halt military coercion toward Taiwan and resume dialogue with Taiwan. The statement said that the EU supports peaceful relations between China and its neighbors and strongly encourages all parties to use international law to resolve all cross-strait disputes. <Accessed 2019-02-22> - Cabinet OKs Bill to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage (2019-02-22)
(CNA, By Ku Chuan and Evelyn Kao) The Cabinet has approved a draft bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Taiwan. The bill, which will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review before March 1, includes inheritance rights, medical rights, adoption of children and monogamy. Premier Su Tseng-chang remarked that the draft bill symbolizes a step toward marriage equality in Taiwan. <Accessed 2019-02-22> - HK Law Revision Unacceptable if it Belittles Taiwan: Official (2019-02-22)
(CNA, By Chen Chun-hua and Flor Wang) Liu Yi-chun, a prosecutor with the Department of International and Cross-Strait Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Justice, announced that Taiwan will not accept the planned revision of an extradition law in Hong Kong as it undermines Taiwan's sovereignty. According to New Power Party Legislator Hsu Yung-ming, the revision's true intention aims to send Taiwanese suspects in Hong Kong to stand trial in China. <Accessed 2019-02-22> - Government Confirms US$100mm Loan to Nicaragua (2019-02-22)
(Taipei Times/CNA) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesman Andrew Lee announced that the Taiwanese government has confirmed a loan of US$100 million to Nicaragua. Lee said that Taiwan hopes the loan can help the Nicaraguan government to rebuild its social order and help its people resume their normal lives. <Accessed 2019-02-22> - Cross-Strait Peace Pact Bill Not Targeted at any Person: Premier (2019-02-20)
(CNA, By Yu Hsiang and Evelyn Kao) Premier Su Tseng-chang remarked that the government's push for a bill proposing a peace agreement with China was not specifically targeted at any person. According to Su, the bill applies to everyone and all parties in Taiwan. However, Su also warned that Taiwan should be vigilant as China never renounces using force against Taiwan. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - President Tsai Says She Intends to Run for Re-election in 2020 (2019-02-20)
(CNA, By Christie Chen) During an interview with CNN, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her intention to run for re-election in the 2020 presidential election. Tsai further stated that she decided to run for re-election because she wants to do more for Taiwan and hopes to complete the things on her agenda. Tsai also remarked that she is aware of the challenges she has to face. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Taiwan Calls for Inclusion in WHO's Universal Health Initiative (2019-02-20)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to include Taiwan in WHO's universal health coverage. The Taiwanese government has also been pushing to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA), since Taiwan was excluded over the past two years due to pressure from China. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - DPP Presidential Candidate Nomination Process to Start in March (2019-02-20)
(CNA, By Wen Kuei-hsiang and Christie Chen) A party official announced on Tuesday that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will start its presidential candidate nomination process in March. Lee Ching-feng, the head of DPP's organization department, stated that the party will hold political platform presentations and initiate a national poll to choose the candidate in the event that there is more than one candidate. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Electricity Grid Project in Haiti Suspended Due to Riots: MOFA (2019-02-20)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) In light of the ongoing political crisis in Haiti, Yui Tah-ray, director-general of MOFA's Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, announced that Taiwan's electricity grid project in Haiti has been temporarily suspended. Yu further stated that despite all preparations for the project have been completed, it cannot begin as it needs approval from the Haitian Parliament. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Canadian Envoy Seeks to Raise His Nation's Visibility (2019-02-20)
(Taipei Times/CNA) Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Jordan Reeves said that he hopes to raise Canada's profile among Taiwanese as Canada's profile in Taiwan is low compare with other countries. According to Reeves, the Canadian Trade Office aims to boost bilateral investment in the areas of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Reeves further added that he hopes there could be more exchanges between indigenous peoples from both nations. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - VOA Airs Interview with Wu Den-yih (2019-02-20)
(Taipei Times, By Lin Liang-sheng and Sherry Hsiao) In an interview with Voice of America (VOA), Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Den-yih remarked that peace would be the best result as unification, Taiwanese independence, and the "one country, two systems" political formula would all cause instability in the Taiwan Strait. Wu further added that any move toward independence would result in a "severe situation". <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Premier Opposes Peace Agreement with China (2019-02-19)
(CNA, By Wang Yang-yu and Christie Chen) In light of Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Wu Den-yih's remark that KMT might sign a peace agreement with China in the event KMT regains the presidency in 2020, Premier Su Tseng-chang said that Taiwan will not sign the agreement as China is the least friendly nation to Taiwan. Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) head Chen Ming-tong expressed doubts on a peace agreement with China after Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech to reunify Taiwan and China under the "one country, two systems" model. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Premier Su Declines to Sign 'Independence Referendum Petition' (2019-02-19)
(CNA, By Fan Cheng-hsiang and Chung Yu-chen) Premier Su Tseng-chang announced on Tuesday that he will not sign a petition to change the Referendum Act to allow a referendum on Taiwan's independence because Taiwan is already a sovereign nation. Su further added that as premier, his job is to protect Taiwan's sovereignty and work for the people's wellbeing. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Unilateral Changes to Cross-Strait Status Quo Inadvisable: Think Tank (2019-02-19)
(CNA, By Chiang Chinye and Ko Lin) Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, remarked that any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait would be risky. Haass further added that for the U.S. to aid Taiwan in the event of a crisis could lead to conflict with China but the decision to leave Taiwan on its own would undermine U.S. credibility. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Canberra Urged to Join Against China (2019-02-18)
(Taipei Times, By Stacy Hsu) Australian National University Professor Paul Dibb urged Australia to join the US in the event that China decided to launch an attack against Taiwan. Dibb further added that it is in Australia's interest to help defend Taiwan's democracy. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked Dibb for his support and stated that Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded nations in defending freedom and democracy in the Taiwan Strait. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - Politics has Overridden Decisionmaking, Ko Says (2019-02-18)
(Taipei Times, By Lee I-chia) During a speech at the Taichung Architecture Development Association, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je remarked that Taiwan would not be able to negotiate with China if it did not have a robust economy, lacked a strong national defense, and lacked an undivided leadership. Ko also commented that abolishing military conscription in Taiwan has weakened the nation's strength, especially when young Taiwanese are not willing to join the military. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - Wu's Plan for 2020 Candidate Panned (2019-02-18)
(Taipei Times, By Stacy Hsu) The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Den-yih's proposal for the party's presidential candidate selection process has drawn huge criticism. Wu proposed that only KMT members can choose the party's 2020 presidential candidate. Wu defended the proposal by stating that allowing loyal KMT members who regularly paid their membership fees to choose the party's next presidential candidate is proper and right. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - Former Premier Simon Chang Seeks 2020 Presidential Run as Independent (2019-02-18)
(Taipei Times, By Lee Hsin-fang) Former premier Simon Chang announced his candidacy for the 2020 Taiwan presidential election as an independent candidate. Chang further stated that he plans to build his cross-strait platform by prioritizing Taiwan but at the same time adhering to the "one China" principle outlined in the Constitution. Chang expressed hope that his presidential candidacy would end the rivalry between the pan-green and pan-blue camps over cross-strait issues. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - European Parliament Taiwan Friendship Group Visits Taiwan (2019-02-18)
(CNA, By Matt Yu and William Yen) The chairman of the European Parliament Taiwan Friendship Group (TFG), Werner Langen, and his delegation will be in Taiwan for a six-day visit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that Werner and his delegation will be received by President Tsai Ing-wen, Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan and other top Taiwan officials. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - Taiwan Ranked 24th for Global Connectivity (2019-02-18)
(CNA, By Chen Wei-ting and Evelyn Kao) The latest edition of the DHL Global Connectedness Index (GCI) ranked Taiwan as the world's 24th most connected country. The ranking is based on a detailed analysis of globalization, measured by international flows of trade, capital, information and people. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - Eswatini Minister of Economic Planning and Development Visits Taiwan (2019-02-18)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that Thambo Gina, the minister of economic planning and development for the Kingdom of eSwatini, will be in Taiwan for a five-day visit to strengthen both nations' bilateral cooperation. Gina will also be hosting a business opportunity briefing to welcome Taiwanese investment to eSwatini's Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) during his first trip to Taiwan. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - Taiwan Issues Orange Travel Warning for Haiti After Protests (2019-02-18)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) In light of the political crisis that is escalating in Haiti, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has issued an "orange" travel warning, its second highest. MOFA further asked Taiwanese not to travel to Haiti if possible and advised those who need to visit Haiti to exercise extreme caution. The ministry also called on the protesters and the Haitian government to establish peaceful dialogue to end the crisis soon. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - Taiwan Concerned about Spain Sending Fraud Suspects to China Again (2019-02-18)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed concern after Spain deported two Taiwanese to China last Friday on fraud charges. MOFA spokesman Andrew Lee stated that Taiwan has repeatedly asked Spain to honor the nationality principle and deport the two Taiwanese back to Taiwan.<Accessed 2019-02-18> - Canadian Envoy Seeking to Increase His Country’s Visibility in Taiwan (2019-02-18)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
Canada’s representative to Taiwan, Jordan Reeves, said in a meeting with the Central News Agency that Canada and Taiwan have a history of close exchanges and that he wants to increase Canada’s visibility in Taiwan. He also reiterated Canada’s support of Taiwan’s greater international participation. Reeves said that in addition to increasing Canada’s presence among Taiwanese, he also wants to work to increase bilateral investment between Taiwan and Canada in 2019, specifically in the area of Canadian investment in Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. <Accessed 2019-02-18> - European Parliament Members Decorated for Taiwan-EU Contributions (2019-02-18)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
While at a ceremony in the foreign ministry headquarters, a group of European Parliament members were awarded a Friendship Medal of Diplomacy for their contributions to promoting EU-Taiwan relations by Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. He expressed his gratitude to the members for their active support of Taiwan. The members responded by praising Taiwan’s model of democracy and assuring Wu that they will continue to promote peaceful cross-Strait relations within the EP. <Accessed 2019-02-18>
- US Steps Up Freedom of Navigation Patrols in South China Sea to Counter Beijing’s Ambitions (2019-02-16)
(South China Morning Post, By Teddy Ng) The United States has stepped up its freedom of navigation operations in the disputed South China Sea as it challenges Beijing’s efforts to strengthen its maritime claims in the region. American officials have signalled Washington will boost measures to counter China’s expansion in the area, and include allies in future missions, but observers say Beijing is unlikely to be deterred. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - China, US Trade Barbs over Huawei and South China Sea at Munich Conference (2019-02-16)
(South China Morning Post, By Lee Jeong-ho) Beijing and Washington traded barbs over Huawei Technologies and the South China Sea at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, as both sides also sought to sell their vision for regional security. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - It’s China’s Huawei against the World as Spying Concerns Mount (2019-02-17)
(South China Morning Post, By Martin Choi) Chinese telecoms giant Huawei has been under intense scrutiny around the world in recent months amid concerns its technologies and products could be used for espionage by Beijing. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - Warship Row: Why Britain Can’t Afford to Be on China’s Bad Side (2019-02-18)
(South China Morning Post, By Hilary Clarke) When the UK voted to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum, it became apparent the UK needed China more than China needed it. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - Popular Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je Goes to Washington as Taiwan’s Presidential Hopefuls Mull 2020 Run (2019-02-10)
(South China Morning Post, By Lawrence Chung) Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je is expected to go to the United States in mid-March, joining a wave of political hopefuls planning trips to the US in their quest for Washington’s support in the island’s 2020 presidential race. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - China-EU 5G Research Project to Continue despite Growing Concerns about Huawei (2019-02-10)
(South China Morning Post, By Keegan Elmer) A 5G collaboration project between the European Union and China is going ahead as planned, despite calls to ban Chinese telecoms companies from the EU network, according to the head of the European side of the project. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - China Hits Back at European Union’s Claim It Has 250 Spies Working in Brussels (2019-02-10)
(South China Morning Post, By Kinling Lo) China has dismissed as “groundless” claims made by the European Union that it has hundreds of spies working in Brussels, the bloc’s de facto capital. The Chinese mission to the EU issued a statement on Sunday in response to a report published a day earlier on the website of German television company Welt that said EU diplomats and military officials had been warned of “about 250 Chinese and 200 Russian spies” operating in the Belgian city. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - Britain Urges the West to Be Ready to Flex Military Muscle in the Pacific as US Navy Steps Up Activities in South China Sea (2019-02-12)
(South China Morning Post, By Liu Zhen) Western powers should be prepared to back their interests with military power just as Britain is prepared to send its new aircraft carrier to the Pacific, British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said on Monday. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - Where? When? How? China and United States at Odds over Right Place and Time for Next Xi-Trump Summit (2019-02-13)
(South China Morning Post, By Laura Zhou and Zhou Xin) Beijing has suggested the next China-US summit take place on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan next month, following suggestions from the White House that US President Donald Trump is eager to meet with his counterpart, Xi Jinping, sooner than later. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - US Must Support Taiwan with Weapons against Mainland Aggression, Donald Trump Is Told (2019-02-14)
(South China Morning Post, By Lawrence Chung) A group of US scholars has called on President Donald Trump to be ready to deter aggression by mainland China against Taiwan, maintain a strong military presence in the Western Pacific and help the self-ruled island develop a strategy in tackling expansionist Beijing. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - Ambassador to China Anna Lindstedt Sent Back to Sweden after Gui Minhai Reports (2019-02-14)
(South China Morning Post, By Keegan Elmer) The Swedish embassy in Beijing says its ambassador has been sent back to Stockholm after reports emerged that she was involved in arranging a meeting between Gui Minhai’s daughter and Chinese businessmen said to be trying to secure the release of the bookseller. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - US Investment in China More than Doubles in January despite Trade War, Hi-Tech Industry Grows Significantly (2019-02-14)
(South China Morning Post, By Karen Yeung) Investment into China from the United States more than doubled in January, with the hi-tech industry witnessing the most significant increase. Overall growth in China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) slipped to 4.8 per cent from a year earlier to 84.18 billion yuan (US$12.45 billion) in January, according to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - US Commander Pushes for More Funding to Counter China’s Influence in Indo-Pacific (2019-02-15)
(South China Morning Post, By Minnie Chan) The US Indo-Pacific commander has urged America’s strategic decision-making body to increase financial investment in the region to counter China’s expanding economic and military influence. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - Malaysia ‘Values China’: Mahathir Signs Up to Xi’s Second Belt and Road Summit (2019-02-15)
(South China Morning Post, By Tashny Sukumaran) Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad has become the first world leader to confirm his attendance at China’s second Belt and Road Initiative summit this April, in a move analysts say is aimed at reassuring Beijing of his commitment to the project. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - US President Donald Trump Is Light on Specifics But Says Trade Talks with China Are ‘Going Extremely Well’ (2019-02-16)
(South China Morning Post, By Owen Churchill) US President Donald Trump said on Friday that trade negotiations with China were going well, as a week of discussions wrapped up in Beijing with positive comments from participants but no tangible outcomes. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - US–South Korea Military Negotiations Could Cost the Alliance (2019-02-13)
(East Asia Forum, By Se Young Jang) South Korea will not immediately disrupt its relationship with the United States because the ruling Moon Jae-in administration regards cooperation between Washington and Seoul as vital to establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. But eventually, if the United States fails to adequately signal its security commitment to South Korea and links its excessive financial demands to the possibility of a USFK withdrawal, South Korean may question the durability of their alliance. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Uneasy Relationships (2019-02-13)
(East Asia Forum, By Zhang Xiaoming) The SCO is already the world’s largest regional organisation in terms of population and economic potential. Its recent expansion following the accession of India and Pakistan may strengthen the organisation’s position in world politics. But wider membership could also lead to a loss of efficiency in SCO decision-making if competition between India and Pakistan and India and China hamper its functioning. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - Trump’s Foreign Policy Wreckage in Asia (2019-02-11)
(East Asia Forum, By the Editorial Board) Trump’s trade war with China and his trade actions against others, including US allies like Japan, Europe and Canada, show utter disrespect for its core rules. This system is the international system of rules, whatever its weaknesses, on which Asia’s political security also vitally depends. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - US Policy in Asia Heads from Bad to Worse (2019-02-10)
(East Asia Forum, By Sheila A Smith) If the past year is any indication of the year ahead, US policy in Asia will be erratic and self-serving. The beginnings of an Indo-Pacific strategy notwithstanding, the Trump administration continues to work out its issues with countries in the region bilaterally and sporadically. <Accessed 2019-02-21> - China and U.S. to Continue Trade Talks Next Week (2019-02-15)
(New York Times, By Keith Bradsher and Alan Rappeport) United States officials said on Friday that they had made “progress” during a week of trade talks with their Chinese counterparts, but big sticking points remain and the two sides plan to continue negotiations next week in Washington to try to end the trade war. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Sweden Investigates Its Ambassador to China After Report of Secret Talks to Free Publisher (2019-02-14)
(New York Times, By Chris Buckley and Christina Anderson) Sweden said it was investigating its ambassador to China after she was accused of arranging unauthorized, secret talks between the daughter of a Swedish bookseller detained in China and two Chinese men who had offered to help free him, but instead pressured her to keep silent. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - Trump Says South Korea Is Paying $500 Million More for U.S. Troops. The Deal Says Otherwise. (2019-02-13)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun) South Koreans were left flustered on Wednesday after President Trump asserted that he had made their government pay $500 million more to help cover the cost of maintaining American troops in the country. The claim contradicted the terms of a cost-sharing deal South Korea and the United States signed on Sunday after months of contentious negotiations. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - The $89,000 Verdict Tearing Japan and South Korea Apart (2019-02-13)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun and Motoko Rich) The ruling is now at the center of a bitter dispute that has called into question the foundation of diplomatic ties between America’s top allies in Asia, driving them apart even as Washington is trying to build a united front against China’s rise and a nuclear-armed North Korea. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - U.S. and South Korea Sign Deal on Shared Defense Costs (2019-02-10)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun) Washington and Seoul on Sunday signed an agreement on how to share the cost of the American military presence in South Korea, resolving a dispute between the allies before President Trump’s meeting this month with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader. <Accessed 2019-02-20> - How Old Is China’s Belt and Road Initiative Exactly? (2019-02-11)
(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) In 2013, President Xi Jinping announced the two components of the "One Belt, One Road" Initiative, which went on to become the Belt and Road Initiative as it stands today. However, Chinese exports and relations with involved countries had dramatically shifted much earlier than just five years ago. The 2013 announcement of the Initiative was simply an attempt to brand a global round of Chinese infrastructure investments in various countries. <Accessed 2019-02-16> - Don’t Expect a US-China Trade Breakthrough By March 1 (2019-02-17)
(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) While both the United States and China have admitted that progress has been made on trade talks, both countries also claim that much work has to be done before the March 1 deadline on new tariffs. The White House seems willing to push back the introduction of new tariffs depending on how progress is going, and the deadline does not seem absolute. A possibility of a second meeting between Trump and Xi remains as well. <Accessed 2019-02-17>
