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- China Using Fake News to Undermine Taiwan's Democracy: U.S. Report (2018-11-15)
(CNA, By Liao Han-yuan and Ko Lin) According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), China is using its United Front work and other political warfare activities to undermine Taiwan's democracy. Peter Mattis, a research fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, remarked that China is seeking to create a 'fake civl society' to sabotage Taiwan's democratic system and destabilize the Taiwanese society. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - UK Discussing Taiwan's Interpol Bid: Lawmaker (2018-11-15)
(Taipei Times/CNA London) The British government is currently discussing Taiwan's bid to participate in the Interpol General Assembly with international partners. British Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service Nick Hurd remarked that the British Government supports Taiwan's participation at the Interpol as Taiwanese could make substantial contributions in combatting international organized crimes. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - No Sign that US is Planning Drills: Defense Minister (2018-11-15)
(Taipei Times/CNA) Taiwan's Minister of National Defense Yen De-fa announced that there is no indication that the US is planning drills in the South China Sea. Yen further remarked that Taiwan does not receive any military deployment from the US in advance and that Taiwan respects the rights and freedom of navigation defended by the US. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - Report Warns of Eroding U.S. Military Supremacy (2018-11-15)
(CNA, By Rita Cheng and Flor Wang) A report by the National Defense Strategy Commission contended that the United States' military superiority is declining. Consequently, the report expressed grave concern that the U.S. might not be able to deter or force China or Russia to back down should the former decided to attack Taiwan or the latter decided to attack the Baltic states. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - French Politician Calls for Taiwan's Inclusion in Interpol (2018-11-15)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Jean-Francçois Cesarini, a member of the French National Assembly and chairman of its Taiwan-France Friendship Group, expressed support for Taiwan's bid to participate in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). Cesarini remarked that political factors should not be used to prevent Taiwan's participation in international organizations. He further stated that France needs to work with both Taiwan and China amid China's efforts to isolate Taiwan internationally. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - Beijing to Allow Family to Visit Lee Ming-che: Taiwan Affairs Office Says (2018-11-15)
(Taipei Times/CNA, Beijing) According to China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Ma Xiaoguang, China would allow Taiwanese democracy advocate Lee Ming-che's family to visit him in jail. Lee was sentenced to five years imprisonment last year due to his remarks about democracy, freedom of speech and human rights in China. Meanwhile, Lee's wife, Lee Ching-yu, stated that Beijing still has not explain why Lee was transferred back to the Hunan prison from Hebei. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - Supporters, Opponents Debate Gay, Lesbian Education Referendum (2018-11-15)
(CNA, By Chen Chih-chung and Chi Jo-yao) During a forum on Thursday, supporters and opponents debate on whether to include or exclude gay and lesbian education from the national curriculum. Yang Chun-tzu, executive director of the National Alliance of Presidents of Parents Associations (NAPPA), argued that it is not right for elementary and junior high school students to learn about homosexuality, especially during the unstable puberty stage. However, Chen Ming-yen, managing supervisor of the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR), stressed the importance of gender equity education in teaching students to respect different gender identities. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - Taiwan Remains Strong in Research and Global Talent: President (2018-11-14)
(CNA, By Yeh Su-ping and William Yen) While receiving representatives and dignitaries from foreign national scientific and research institutions at the Presidential Office, Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen prided Taiwan's capability and importance in research, innovation, and global talent. The president also expressed hope that Taiwan will continue to offer its expertise on current pressing global issues, such as energy conservation, carbon emissions, sustainability, and artificial intelligence. <Accessed 2018-11-14> - New US House Equally Friendly Toward Taiwan (2018-11-14)
(Taipei Times/CNA) Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kelly Hsieh remarked that the new Democrat-controlled US House of Representative will not affect Taiwan-U.S. relations. Hsieh further stated that since both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have always supported Taiwan, the recent midterm election results would not hurt Taiwan's relations with the U.S. Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua stated that the Taiwanese government is making every effort to provide a conducive environment for Taiwanese companies that are thinking of returning to Taiwan amid the trade war between the U.S. and China. <Accessed 2018-11-14> - NCC Urged to Stop Fake Election News (2018-11-14)
(Taipei Times, By Shelley Shan) Lawmakers on the legislature's Transportation Committee urged the National Communications Commission (NCC) to punish broadcast media for spreading fake election news. Several DPP Legislators remarked that news outlet hardly verify information before publishing them and the government is not up to date in terms of legislation against the publication and dissemination of fake news. <Accessed 2018-11-14> - President Thanks Palau for its Support of Taiwan (2018-11-12)
(CNA, By Lu Hsin-hui and Evelyn Kao)
President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Palau’s President Tommy Remengesau Jr. on Monday for Palau’s continued outspoken support for Taiwan’s international participation. Tsai expressed Taiwan’s desire to continue working with Pualau on shared goals, such as focusing on clean energy. Remengesau Jr. praised the bilateral relationship between the countries, saying Palau will learn from Taiwan and highlighting Taiwan’s potential contributions to the international community. <Accessed 2018-11-12> - Taiwan to Propose Solutions to Digital Challenges at APEC (2018-11-12)
(CNA, By Shih Hsiu-chuan)
Morris Chang, founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., who is Taiwan’s representative to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, discussed on Monday Taiwan’s planned proposal for this year’s summit. Taiwan will propose initiating bilateral or multilateral talks under the APEC framework to combat digital challenges, such as intellectual property, privacy, and tariff issues. Chang said APEC would be a great platform to address this issue because of the key players in the digital realm which will be in attendance. <Accessed 2018-11-12> - Democrat-Controlled House Won’t Affect Pro-Taiwan Sentiment: MOFA (2018-11-12)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
In response to recent concerns that the U.S. midterm election results would affect U.S.-Taiwan ties under the Trump administration, Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Hsieh said Monday that the results should not affect the Taiwan-friendly attitude of U.S. Congress. The concerns are because the U.S. House of Representatives came under the control of the Democratic Party. Hsieh stated that both the Democrats and Republicans are generally supportive of Taiwan and does not expect Democrats checks and balances to be related to Trump’s Taiwan policies. <Accessed 2018-11-12> - Taiwan Ready to Host Asia Pacific Religious Freedom Forum: MOFA (2018-11-12)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Hsieh said Monday that Taiwan has expressed its interest to the U.S. of hosting a ministerial level forum on religious freedom in the Asia Pacific. Hsieh said Taiwan has already attended one meeting organized by the U.S. State Department in Washington regarding the topic and has offered to host the next meeting in Taiwan. Hsieh also praised Taiwan’s record for human rights and religious freedom, saying it made Taiwan an ideal candidate to host such a forum. <Accessed 2018-11-12> - Tsai Urges Overseas Taiwanese to Vote in Local Government Elections (2018-11-11)
(CNA, By Rita Cheng and Flor Wang) In a recorded video played in Washington to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Taiwanese Association of America, Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen urged overseas Taiwanese to uphold the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights by returning home to vote in the upcoming November 24 elections. Wu Hsin-hsing, the head of Taiwan's Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), who also attended the event remarked that the current administration refuses to recognize the "1992 consensus" because it would prevent Taiwan from being a de-jure and de-facto independent country. <Accessed 2018-11-12> - Group Urge Official Support for Lee Ming-che (2018-11-11)
(Taipei Times, By Sean Lin) Civic group members joined Taiwanese human rights advocate Lee Ming-che's wife, Lee Ching-yu, to draw the public's attention on the Chinese government's refusal to allow Lee's wife to visit him for two months in a row.Taiwan Association for Human Rights secretary-general Chiu Ee-ling stated that China is going against the UN Human Rights Standards in Arrest and Detention by refusing Lee's family to visit him and for secretly transferring him between prisons without notifying his family. Meanwhile, Covenant Watch director Lin Hsin-yi said that the Taiwanese government's reluctance to voice for human rights abuses could send the wrong signal to China that Taiwan is unconcerned. <Accessed 2018-11-12> - Military Must be Ready for New Threats from China: President (2018-11-08)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
President Tsai Ing-wen said Thursday that Taiwan’s military should be prepared for both traditional and non-traditional security threats from China’s People’s Liberation Army. One new threat she emphasized was the spread of misinformation. She made these remarks at the commissioning ceremony for two Perry-class guided missile frigates purchased from the United States. <Accessed 2018-11-08> - U.S. Sale of Warships to Taiwan Helps Regional Stability: AIT (Update) (2018-11-08)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
The American Institute in Taiwan said Thursday that Taiwan’s commissioning of the two warships purchased from the U.S. was within the rights of the Taiwan Relations Act because it will further Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Additionally, the AIT emphasized the role these vessels will play in contributing to the political, economic, and military stability of the Indo-Pacific region. <Accessed 2018-11-08> - Chinese System Key as Spain Considers Deportations: Expert (2018-11-10)
(Taipei Times, with CNA) There has been heavy backlash against a Spanish court’s recent ruling to send 217 Taiwanese suspects back to China, rather than Taiwan. This has caused many legal and human rights experts to criticize China’s judicial system and China’s claim over Taiwan. They have also raised concerns over how the deportees will be treated once in China, due to China’s negative human rights record. <Accessed 2018-11-11> - ELECTIONS: Ko Ends Term to Focus on Election, Defends Director (2018-11-08)
(Taipei Times, By Lee I-chia)
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je began a leave of absence from his mayoral duties on Thursday to instead focus on his re-election campaign. He also defended his campaign director Hsiao Yeh following controversy over Hsiao’s promotion of a DPP Kaohsiung mayoral candidate. He called Hsiao a nice person and defended his right to support any candidate, regardless of party. <Accessed 2018-11-08> - Palau President Arrives in Taiwan for State Visit (2018-11-10)
(CNA, By Elaine Hou and Ko Lin)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. of Palau arrived in Taiwan Saturday for a state visit, during which he will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan, and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. MOFA praised Palau’s commitment to promoting Taiwan’s participation in international institutions. Palau is one of Taiwan’s six Pacific diplomatic allies. <Accessed 2018-11-11> - MOFA Thanks U.S. for Support of Taiwan (2018-11-10)
(CNA, By Flor Wang)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the U.S. Saturday for its support of Taiwan, following Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s express of the U.S.’ commitment to its partnership with Taiwan. MOFA said that Taiwan looks forward to continuing to work with the U.S. to safeguard regional stability and participate in global contributions. <Accessed 2018-11-11>
- U.N. Rights Officials Criticize China Over Muslim Internments (2018-11-13)
(New York Times, By Nick Cumming-Bruce) Human rights officials and experts condemned regulations on Chinese re-education camps as a violation of international law and criminalized basic rights. <RSS, Accessed 2018-11-16> - Australia’s Prime Minister ‘Surprised’ by State’s Secret Deal With China (2018-11-13)
(New York Times, By Jamie Tarabay and Vicky Xiuzhong Xu) The state of Victoria signed on with China’s Belt and Road initiative at a time when intelligence officials are concerned about Beijing’s influence. <RSS, Accessed 2018-11-16> - U.S. Navy Carrier Suffers Second Aircraft Crash in Weeks (2018-11-12)
(New York Times, By Jane Perlez) An F/A-18 Super Hornet, assigned to the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, on Monday crashed into the sea northeast of the Philippines. The two aviators inside the plane were rescued. <RSS, Accessed 2018-11-16> - Ma Jian, Exiled Chinese Novelist, Hails Appearance as Victory for Rights (2018-11-10)
(New York Times, By Mike Ives) The temporary cancellation of his appearance at a literary festival had been seen as the latest sign of erosions of freedom in Hong Kong. <RSS, Accessed 2018-11-16> - Risking Beijing’s Wrath, Taiwan to Vote on Removing ‘China’ from Name of Its 2020 Olympic team (2018-11-11)
(South China Morning Post, By Lawrence Chung) Taiwanese are to vote this month over whether the self-ruled island should compete in the next Summer Olympics under the name “Taiwan,” in a highly controversial referendum that would not only provoke Beijing but also put the island’s government in a political dilemma if passed. The referendum asks whether Taiwan should compete in the 2020 Games in Tokyo and other international sporting events under that name, rather than “Chinese Taipei” – a title that has been used since 1981. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - Locked in a Trade War, China and United States Try to Rally Support in Asia (2018-11-12)
(South China Morning Post, By Kristin Huang) China and the United States are competing in a new round of diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific this week, as leaders from the world’s two biggest economies try to rally support at key international meetings. With Beijing battling slowing growth and the fallout from a trade war with the US, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang landed in Singapore on Monday for a five-day visit that will include the annual summit for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). <Accessed 2018-11-16> - South China Sea: Beijing Hopes for Maritime Accord with Asean Neighbours in Three Years (2018-11-13)
(South China Morning Post, By Catherine Wong) China aims to complete negotiations on a code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea region within three years as Beijing pursues a stable relationship with its neighbours. Premier Li Keqiang made the commitment on Tuesday in Singapore before attending the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). <Accessed 2018-11-16> - Vietnam Reduces Reliance on China, Ratifies New Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Deal (2018-11-13)
(South China Morning Post, By Keegan Elmer) Vietnam has moved to reduce its economic reliance on China and mitigate the risk of the US-China trade war by ratifying an 11-country trade deal. The nation’s lawmaking body approved the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership on Monday, following Australia’s ratification on October 31. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - Asian Mega Free-Trade Deal Stalls in Singapore despite China’s Push against Protectionism (2018-11-13)
(South China Morning Post, By Catherine Wong) China’s attempt to seal Asia’s biggest trade deal stalled at a regional summit in Singapore, despite Beijing’s efforts to counter American protectionism and the absence of US President Donald Trump. After a fruitless meeting on Monday, trade ministers from Asean’s member countries and the bloc’s six dialogue partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand – pushed back further talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) until next year. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - Preparing Asia for the Next Financial Crisis (2018-11-14)
(East Asia Forum, By Yasuto Watanabe) The ASEAN+3 region now accounts for more than a quarter of world GDP and 30 per cent of global trade. But the expansion in international trade and the increasing complexities in financial networks and other activities are increasing the risks of volatile capital inflows and outflows. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - No Time for APEC to Be Asleep at the Wheel (2018-11-12)
(East Asia Forum, By the Editorial Board) The fundamental objective of APEC leaders must be to find circuit breakers to quell the policy turbulence that’s shaking the region. To get the region back on track it needs to break major deadlocks on trade, finance and growth. <Accessed 2018-11-16> - What Does the 1992 Consensus Mean to Citizens in Taiwan? (2018-11-10)
(The Diplomat, By Austin Wang, Charles K.S. Wu, Yao-Yuan Yeh, & Fang-Yu Chen) As Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to acknowledge the conditions set by the 1992 Consensus, Beijing has refused to communicate with Taiwan on cross-strait negotiations or issues. However, within the debate on whether or not President Tsai should acknowledge it or not, there lies another debate on whether or not Taiwanese citizens actually understand what the Consensus entails. Taiwanese people have no consensus on the true meaning of the 1992 Consensus. <Accessed 2018-11-13> - The US and China Are Talking Again, But 'Competition' Is Set to Continue (2018-11-12)
(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) The United States and China have completed the second annual diplomatic and security dialogue in the midst of several complex issues within their relationship, even beyond the trade war. The two countries still shared military and economic exchanges, and the Dialogue was also even called off at one point. While the Dialogue represents an acceptance of increasing competition between the United States and China, the two demonstrate that they are still capable of communication. <Accessed 2018-11-13> - For China, How Much Will the Outcome of the US Mid-Term Elections Matter? (2018-11-10)
(The Diplomat, By Dingding Chen) Three possibilities exist for the U.S.-China relationship in light of new leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives. These are the maintenance of the status quo, greater deterioration of the relationship, or mild improvement of relations. Due to domestic factors in the United States, mild improvement is the most likely outcome, although theoretically all three are very possible. <Accessed 2018-11-13>
