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- Chinese Pressure Could be Behind Uruguay Visa Decision: MOFA (2018-12-12)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated that Uruguay's decision to temporarily suspend the visa-free treatment for Taiwanese citizens could result from China's pressure. Joanne Ou, MOFA's deputy spokesperson, remarked that the pressure from China could be due to the close interactions and ties between senior officials from both nations. <Accessed 2018-12-12> - Baker's Statement on 'one China' Due to Political Pressure: President (2018-12-12)
(CNA, By Shih Hsiu-chuan) In responding to a statement made by award-winning baker Wu Pao-chun, who stated that he is proud to be Chinese and that he supports the "1992 consensus", Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen remarked that the Taiwanese public will not give in to political pressure. The president does not blame Wu for making that statement but stated that China has been using its political power to influence commercial activities worldwide. The president also remarked that China's constant threat against Taiwan is the reason that is obstructing positive cross-strait exchanges. <Accessed 2018-12-12> - Taiwan Hopeful of Canadian Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (2018-12-12)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked Canada for considering a bilateral foreign investment protection pact with Taiwan. MOFA released a statement stating that both nations will continue to discuss plans for the pact in order to create a conducive investment environment for companies from both nations. <Accessed 2018-12-12> - Japan Disappointed Over Taiwan Referendum Result: Envoy (2018-12-12)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Mikio Numata, Japan's top envoy to Taiwan, expressed his government's disappointment over the food imports ban referendum result in Taiwan's recent local elections last month. Nonetheless, Numata stated that his government will continue to promote bilateral cooperation with Taiwan. Taiwan's Premier Lai Ching-te also expressed hope that both nations will continue to strengthen bilateral ties on various issues. <Accessed 2018-12-12> - Taiwan Should Avoid Provoking Beijing: U.S. Scholar (2018-12-11)
(CNA, By Lee Hsin-Yin) American political scholar Graham Allison remarked that Taiwan should refrain from provoking China if it does not wish to lose the support from the U.S. Allison also described the current U.S.-China relations as falling into a "Thucydides's Trap", where war is the end result when one great power threatens to replace the other. <Accessed 2018-12-12> - Taiwan Ranks 10th in Human Freedom Index (2018-12-11)
(CNA, By Hu Yu-li and Frances Huang) Canada's Fraser Institute announced that Taiwan is rank 10th in the latest Human Freedom Index. The Fraser Institute stated that despite constantly receiving military threats from China, Taiwan remains steadfast in ensuring and promoting freedom and democracy for its people. <Accessed 2018-12-12> - Taiwan is a Model of Women’s Empowerment in Politics: AIT Chief (2018-12-10)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen at the opening of a women’s empowerment workshop held in Taiwan Monday praised Taiwan’s example of women’s leadership and equal representation. He pointed out President Tsai Ing-wen’s success and lauded the number of Taiwanese female legislators. Pat Schroeder, a former U.S. congresswoman, also spoke and admitted that the U.S. should look to Taiwan’s example in this area. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Taiwan Admitted into APEC Privacy System (2018-12-10)
(CNA, By Pan Chi-yu and Flor Wang)
The National Development Council announced Monday that Taiwan has been admitted into the APEC Cross Border Privacy Rules system, which is aimed at building trust and security in cross-border data transmission. The NDC said Taiwan’s entry will help Taiwan build up its international image in cross-border data protection and help Taiwanese businesses foreign opportunities. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - SEF Mourns the Death of its Former Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (2018-12-10)
(CNA, By Miao Zhong-han and William Yen)
Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation released a statement Monday expressing its condolences for the death of former chairman Chiang Pin-kung, who served as chairman for four years. The SEF listed his accomplishments as chairman in dealing with cross-Strait matters and praised his kindness. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Bid to Curb 'Fake News' May Impact Freedom of Speech: Professor (2018-12-09)
(CNA, By Chiang Ming-yen and William Yen) Lai Hsiang-wai, a professor at National Taiwan University of Arts (NTUA), remarked that Taiwan's free speech on the internet could be affected if the government decided to revise the law that allows for fines against social media platforms for failing to remove false information. Professor Lai further remarked that the government should provide readers with the correct information and at the same time, allowing readers themselves to make judgements whether the news are fake or not. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Taiwan to Upgrade Navy Ships' Self-Defense System Against Air Threats (2018-12-09)
(CNA, By Matt Yu and Evelyn Kao) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that the government has allocated NT$2 billion to upgrade the electronic warfare system on its Kidd-class guided missile destroyers. The upgraded destroyers would have greater capabilities to counter threats from more complex radar-guided anti-ship missile systems. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Taiwan Exonerates 1,505 Victims of Political Persecution (2018-12-09)
(CNA, By Shih Hsiu-chuan) According to Taiwanese authorities, as many as 1,505 victims of political persecution in Taiwan were exonerated. Vice President Chen Chien-jen, who attended the ceremony, stated that although many of the victims have passed away, it is the government's responsibility to make restitution to them and also to ensure that transitional justice is served. Chen further remarked that this also allows the Taiwanese people to learn from past mistakes to protect freedom and democracy. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Shanghai Officials Visit Taipei to Prepare for Twin-City Forum (2018-12-09)
(CNA, By Chen Yen-chun and Elizabeth Hsu) Seven Chinese local government officials are in Taiwan for a meeting to plan the annual Taipei-Shanghai twin city forum, which is scheduled to be held in Taiwan in December. Shanghai Municipal Taiwan Affairs Office Director Li Wenhui told reporters that he will be meeting Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je and their meeting would discuss "anything" related to the forum. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - China to Add Pressure on Ko at Cities Forum: Academic (2018-12-09)
(Taipei Times, By Chung Li-hua and Jake Chung) An anonymous academic remarked that China would put pressure on Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je to take a stance on cross-strait issues during the twin-city forum in Taipei later this month. The academic further stated that although the Taipei Mayor did not make any mention about the "1992 consensus", he did court China by stating that "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one family". <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Premier Will Resign 'When Time is Right' (2018-12-08)
(CNA, By Shih Hsiu-chuan) Taiwan's Premier Lai Ching-te announced on Friday during a press conference at the Executive Yuan that he will step down from his post "when the time is right". The Premier also presented the Cabinet's report on the causes of the Taiwanese public's dissatisfaction with the government's policies. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - KMT Criticizes MOFA for Offices' Facebook Changes (2018-12-08)
(Taipei Times, By Shih Hsiao-kuang, Lu Yi-hsuan and Jake Chung) The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for replacing the name Republic of China (ROC) with Taiwan. Acting KMT Culture and Communications Committee director-general Tang Te-ming remarked that the change could create misunderstanding and conflicts with nations that are friendly toward Taiwan. The ministry spokesman Andrew Lee in a response, stated that the name-change seeks to promote Taiwan globally and it has not hurt the nation's sovereignty. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Potential Sanctions on Huawei to have Limited Impact on Taiwan: MOEA (2018-12-08)
(CNA, By Liao Yu-yang and Flor Wang) Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-chin informed reporters on Friday that U.S. sanctions against the Chinese tech company Huawei will not greatly affect Taiwanese companies due to its limited sales to the U.S. The Chinese company is suspected of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Cabinet Approves Deadline Repeal for Nuclear-free Plan (2018-12-08)
(Taipei Times/CNA) The Executive Yuan has approved to phase out nuclear power by 2025. Premier William Lai announced that the government's goal to have a nuclear-free nation will not change. Meanwhile, a recent survey conducted by the National Taiwan University showed that most Taiwanese lack knowledge about nuclear issues, thus the government needs to increase the public's understanding of it. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Taiwan-Friendly Bill Passes US Senate (2018-12-07)
(Taipei Times/CNA) The US Senate passed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018. The Act serves to reaffirm the United States' commitment to Taiwan in strengthening economic, political, and security relations between both nations. According to US Senator Cory Gardner, the Act will also improve US leadership in Indo-Pacific and its commitment to a rule-based international order. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Taiwan Calls on EU to Push for Bilateral Investment Agreement (2018-12-07)
(CNA, By Liao Yu-yang and Ko Lin) Taiwan's Vice Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua has urged the European Union (EU) to sign a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) with Taiwan. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the signing of the BIA was stalled due to issues pertaining to offshore wind energy. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Taiwan to Continue to Work with Japan on Food Ban Issue (2018-12-07)
(CNA, By Yang Ming-chu, Elaine Hou and Elizabeth Hsu) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that Taiwan will continue to work with Japan to resolve the issue over the banning of food imports from Japan, following the Taiwanese referendum vote to ban Japanese food imports. Taro Kono, Japan's minister of foreign affairs, expressed regret over the food imports ban and stated that Japan might consider filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the ban violated WTO rules. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - CEC to Decide on Combining General, Presidential Polls (2018-12-04)
(Taipei Times, By Chen Yu-fu)
The Central Election Commission will reach a decision in June regarding whether or not the 2020 presidential and legislative elections will be held on the same day. They are historically held separately, but there could be benefits to holding them simultaneously. The CEC will consult with local election commissions about the matter. <Accessed 2018-12-06> - U.S. Commerce Official Visits Taiwan to Bolster Relations (2018-12-04)
(Taipei Times, With CNA)
The American Institute in Taiwan announced that U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing Ian Steff arrived in Taiwan on Monday to promote U.S.-Taiwan trade and investment ties, as well as to advance the economic pillar of the U.S.’ Indi-Pacific strategy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released a statement saying this visit would bolster ties between the U.S. and Taiwan. <Accessed 2018-12-06> - Taiwan-U.S. TIFA Talks Unlikely to be Held this Year (2018-12-06)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that it is unlikely that Taiwan and the U.S. will hold talks under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement before the end of the year and that a date for the next round of talks has not yet been scheduled. However, Taipei and Washington have been exchanging views on trade matters through the existing TIFA framework, which is the bilateral negotiating channel for trade officials. <Accessed 2018-12-06> - Cabinet Agrees to Abolish 2025 Nuclear-Free Goal (2018-12-06)
(CNA, By Elaine Hou and Chi Jo-yao)
The Executive Yuan, in response to the results of the November 24 referendum, has approved a proposal to abolish the policy of phasing out nuclear power by 2025. Executive Yuan spokeswoman Kolas Yotaka said that the proposed repeal has to be reviewed by the Legislative Yuan and also mentioned that Premier Lai Ching-te maintained that despite the cancellation of the deadline, the government still aims to make the country nuclear-free. <Accessed 2018-12-06> - U.S. Would Continue to Support Taiwan, U.S. Academics Say (2018-12-06)
(Taipei Times, With CNA)
David Brown, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, said Tuesday that despite Taiwan’s new political map after the local elections, the U.S. would continue to maintain strong ties with Taiwan. He also said that China should adjust its attitude towards Taiwan given the victory of the KMT party and predicted that Taiwan would step up exchanges with KMT-controlled cities and counties. <Accessed 2018-12-06> - Foreign Minister Offers Condolences on Death of George H.W. Bush (2018-12-06)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu paid his respects to former U.S. President George H.W. Bush by signing the condolence book at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). The AIT expressed their thanks to all who came to the American Center and its offices to sign the condolence book for the former president. <Accessed 2018-12-06> - U.S.-Taiwan Ties Unchanged Following Elections: Experts (2018-12-06)
(CNA, By Chiang Chin-yeh and Flor Wang) American scholars and foreign affairs experts stated that the recent local elections in Taiwan, which saw the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) defeated the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will not affect U.S.-Taiwan relations. Johnny Chiang, a KMT lawmaker, further stated that the U.S. will not change its position toward Taiwan and will continue to respect Taiwan's democracy. <Accessed 2018-12-06>
- What China’s New E-Commerce Law Could Mean for IP Protection (2018-12-08)
(The Diplomat, By Joe Knotts) The new e-commerce law in China is Beijing's latest action to address Western calls for increased intellectual property protection, a key point of Donald Trump's trade dispute with China. The new law would better protect domestic markets and Chinese consumers from fake and potentially dangerous goods. However, the platform the law is based on remains relatively vague. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - China's Stealth Fighter: It’s Time to Discuss J-20’s Agility (2018-12-07)
(The Diplomat, By Rick Joe) Following the J-20 aircraft's appearance at the Zhuhai Airshow, observers are now able to detail what role the aircraft will play within the PLA Air Force. Official statements fall in line with theories that it is an air superiority fighter jet. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Taiwan’s Direct Democracy Experiment Stumbles at the Polls (2018-12-06)
(The Diplomat, By Nick Aspinwall) The recent elections in Taiwan reflect the potential for smaller interest groups, whose voices have been increasingly heard by the recent changes to the requirements for public referendums, to outnumber the concept of majority rule. This is in particular highlighted by Taiwanese voters' responses to questions regarding same-sex marriage. Several observers argue that boiling complex issues down to "yes" or "no" questions results in undemocratic systems that do not effectively address what voters wish to decide. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Canada Arrests Huawei Executive; China Demands Her Immediate Release (2018-12-06)
(The Diplomat, By Charlotte Gao) The Chief Financial Officer of Huawei and daughter of Huawei's founder, Meng Wanzhou, has been arrested in Canada and is set to be extradited to the United States, where she is accused of evading U.S. sanctions upon Iran. China has demanded her release and claims she did not violate any American or Canadian laws. Worth noting is the fact that Meng was arrested on the same day as President Trump and President Xi's bilateral meeting in Argentina. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - The China Factor in Taiwan’s Local Elections (2018-12-06)
(The Diplomat, By Michelle Tsai) Given that the recent elections in Taiwan have gone overwhelmingly in favor of the pro-China KMT, China will likely take greater measures to pressure the ruling DPP by cooperating closely with the towns and counties that are now majority KMT. Changing tactics of Chinese interference in Taiwanese elections as well as the growing trend of Taiwanese voters to identify as independent are both trends to watch in future elections. Local elections have shown that economic issues are of great importance to voters this year, so China will likely use economic incentives to influence the upcoming presidential elections. <Accessed 2018-12-10> - Meng Wanzhou Was Huawei’s Professional Face, Until Her Arrest (2018-12-07)
(New York Times, By Raymond Zhong) She also sat on the board of a Huawei partner company in Hong Kong called Skycom Tech that Canadian authorities now say did business in Iran. And through that position and her job at Huawei, Ms. Meng may have personally been involved in tricking financial institutions into making transactions that violated United States sanctions against Iran, they said. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Huawei Arrest Tests China’s Leaders as Fear and Anger Grip Elite (2018-12-07)
(New York Times, By Jane Perlez) The arrest of one of China’s leading tech executives by the Canadian police for extradition to the United States has unleashed a combustible torrent of outrage and alarm among affluent and influential Chinese, posing a delicate political test for President Xi Jinping and his grip on the loyalty of the nation’s elite. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - U.S.-China Friction Threatens to Undercut the Fight Against Climate Change (2018-12-07)
(New York Times, By Somini Sengupta) They have the largest carbon footprints. Also the largest economies. Now, as diplomats meet in Poland for high-stakes climate negotiations, a pitched standoff between the United States and China threatens to slow global action on climate change precisely at a time when the risks of catastrophe are accelerating. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - China Watchers Demand Action on Harassment of New Zealand Professor (2018-12-07)
(New York Times, By Charlotte Graham-McLay) More than 160 China experts from around the world have signed a letter urging New Zealand’s government to protect an academic who said she was the subject of harassment and intimidation for publishing research critical of the Chinese Communist Party. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - North Korea Is Expanding Missile Base With Eye Toward U.S., Experts Warn (2018-12-06)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun) North Korea is expanding an important missile base that would be one of the most likely sites for deploying intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States, two experts on the North’s missile programs said Thursday, citing new research based on satellite imagery. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - South Korean Court Orders Mitsubishi of Japan to Pay for Forced Wartime Labor (2018-11-29)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun) South Korea’s Supreme Court ordered Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan on Thursday to compensate South Koreans forced to work in its factories during World War II, the second such ruling in a month that has bedeviled relations between the two key American allies in Asia. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Beijing ‘Steps Up Naval Patrols’ in Taiwan Strait in Pushback at US Warships (2018-12-03)
(South China Morning Post, By Lawrence Chung) Taiwan’s defence ministry confirmed on Monday that naval vessels from the mainland have stepped up patrols in the western part of the Taiwan Strait this year in what analysts say is a reaction to the increased number of US warships sent into the waters to test Beijing. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - South China Sea on the Back-Burner while United States and China Talk Trade (2018-12-04)
(South China Morning Post, By Kristin Huang and Minnie Chan) China and the United States appeared to put their South China Sea disputes on the back-burner when their leaders met on the weekend, a move analysts said was to avoid derailing discussion on trade. There was no mention of the disputed waters in statements released after the meeting, despite the two countries’ deep divisions over the area. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Beijing May Be ‘Testing Tokyo’s Resolve’ with Drilling Missions in Contested Parts of East China Sea (2018-12-04)
(South China Morning Post, By Julian Ryall) Tokyo has lodged an official complaint with Beijing after a Chinese exploration vessel was identified operating in a contested part of the East China Sea, with analysts in Japan suggesting Beijing was “testing” Tokyo’s resolve. The Chinese ship was sighted in mid-November apparently drilling test boreholes into the seabed in search of oil or gas deposits close to the median line Japan proposed should serve as the maritime border between the two nations. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Xi Jinping ‘Bolstered Chinese Commitments’ to US by Taking Lead Role in Trade Talks, Says White House Aide Larry Kudlow (2018-12-04)
(South China Morning Post, By Kristin Huang) Chinese President Xi Jinping “made the pitch himself” in Saturday’s dinner with Donald Trump that ended with a truce in the trade war with the US, according to White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow. Kudlow told reporters outside the White House on Monday that it was unusual to see government leaders taking such a hands-on role in this type of negotiation. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Taiwan, Asia’s Leading Democracy, Cannot Escape Beijing’s Watchful Gaze (2018-12-05)
(South China Morning Post, By Cary Huang) Beijing’s communist leadership views Taiwan’s speedy democratisation with suspicion and displeasure. Although Taiwan’s current law notably rules out the holding of any referendum on a formal declaration of independence from China, Beijing is still preoccupied with worry over any attempt by the independence-leaning ruling Democratic Progressive Party to eventually amend the law to allow an independence referendum. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Washington’s Silence on Taiwan in Trade War Talks Speaks Volumes about Desire for Deal with Beijing (2018-12-05)
(South China Morning Post, By Lawrence Chung) The omission of a reference to Taiwan in the US statement after weekend talks between the US and Chinese presidents shows Washington is unwilling to rile Beijing with debate over the definition of the one-China policy, Taiwan analysts said. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Seoul Voices Concerns as More Chinese Military Aircraft Spread Their Wings in South Korean Air Defence Zone (2018-12-05)
(South China Morning Post, By Lee Jeong-ho) South Korea has voiced its frustration about repeated intrusions into its air defence identification zone by Chinese military aircraft, moves that analysts say reflect Beijing’s opposition to strengthening ties between Seoul, Tokyo and Washington. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Nearly 350,000 Chinese Cadres Disciplined during Xi Jinping’s Austerity Campaign (2018-12-05)
(South China Morning Post, By William Zheng) Nearly 350,000 cadres have been disciplined by the ruling Communist Party’s anti-corruption watchdog in the six years since President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on extravagance began. That means more than 2 per cent of cadres – there were 12.5 million of them directly working for the party and the government in 2016, according to the statistics bureau – have faced disciplinary action as a result of the campaign. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Portugal’s Support for China’s Belt and Road Plan Sets Alarm Bells Ringing in Brussels (2018-12-06)
(South China Morning Post, By Liu Zhen) Portugal’s decision to sign a memorandum of understanding with China on its “Belt and Road Initiative” is likely to fuel concerns within the European Union about Beijing’s efforts to extend its geopolitical influence in the region, analysts said. The formal agreement, which was signed on Wednesday during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Lisbon, came as Beijing has been seeking to build closer relations with Eastern and Central European countries – including deals already struck with Greece and Hungary – which some EU members have described as an “attempt to divide Europe”, they said. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - China Urges North Korea to Address US Concerns on Nuclear Programme (2018-12-07)
(South China Morning Post, By Lee Jeong-ho) Chinese President Xi Jinping told visiting North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho on Friday that Washington and Pyongyang should address each others’ concerns and make progress to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - US-China Tension Could Become Confrontation as Pressure Builds in South China Sea, Taiwan Strait (2018-12-08)
(South China Morning Post, By Laura Zhou) The risk of confrontation between mainland China and the United States over Taiwan is likely to grow next year as the self-ruled island leans ever closer to Washington in a bid to counter Beijing’s rise, observers said. Speaking at a forum in Beijing, Chinese experts on military and diplomatic issues said they expected the South China Sea to continue to be the focus of the geopolitical conflict between China and the US, but that tensions could extend into the Taiwan Strait. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Taipei Recalibrates to Asia (2018-12-08)
(East Asia Forum, By Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao, Jeremy Huai-Che Chiang and Alan Hao Yang) As the ‘China factor’ still looms large, Taiwan will also need innovative strategies to enable cooperation opportunities in the region. This includes formulating concrete proposals that work in tandem with the development agendas and strategies of partner countries. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Who Can Break the US–China Trade Impasse? (2018-12-07)
(East Asia Forum, By Yukon Huang) China and the EU have both expressed strong support for a strengthened World Trade Organisation to deal with trade and investment tensions, contrasting Washington’s efforts to undermine the institution. If Beijing and Brussels accelerate their discussions on a bilateral investment treaty, they could show Trump that there is a better way to deal with trade disputes than relying on punitive tariffs. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - Beijing Xiangshan Forum and the New Global Security Landscape (2018-12-01)
(East Asia Forum, By Rajeev Ranjan Chaturvedy) Attention and support from China’s top leadership indicate that the BXF is pivotal to Chinese defence diplomacy and Beijing’s goal to develop a new global security architecture through which it can articulate its own narrative. Although the BXF seems set to outsize the SLD in the future, it is more likely that both will co-exist in the emerging global security landscape. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - PacNet #81 - Some Implications of Taiwan's Local Elections (2018-12-03)
(Pacific Forum, By David Brown and Eric Huang) The unprecedented DPP gains in the 2014 local elections led to DPP victories in the 2016 presidential and legislative elections. The KMT’s gains this year are impressive but whether they are a predictor of change in 2020 is quite uncertain. <Accessed 2018-12-08> - PacNet #80 - The Limits of Duterte's China Policy (2018-11-30)
(Pacific Forum, By Jeffrey Ordaniel) While both arguments have merit, the fact is persistent economic and security constraints are likely to limit Duterte’s ability to accommodate China’s policy preferences. <Accessed 2018-12-08>
