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- German Institute in Taipei Director calls Chinese coercion against Taiwan ‘childish’ (2018-07-16)
(Taiwan News, By Huang Tzu-ti) In an interview with Liberty Times, the Director of German Institute in Taipei Martin Eberts described China's demands for international airlines to refer to Taiwan as part of China "childish," and voiced his support for Taiwan to be involved in global issues regarding public health, aviation, and anti-terrorism. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - Mainland Affairs Council Minister Heads to U.S. (2018-07-16)
(CNA, By Chai Sze-chia and Flor Wang)
Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chen Min-tong departed for a nine-day trip to the United States to discuss Taiwan’s cross-Strait policy and improve Taiwan-U.S. communication. He will speak at a seminar jointly held by the MAC and the Heritage Foundation, in addition to meeting with various U.S. officials and think tank members. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - NPP Executive Chairman Blasts Corruption Ruling (2018-07-16)
(Taipei Times, By Ann Maxon)
Following the Taipei District Court’s decision to grant a reprieve of her two year prison sentence to KMT member and former Taipei City Councilor Chin Li-fang, New Power Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang criticized the decision, calling it ‘ridiculous’. He added that he hopes the prosecutor has lodged an appeal and accused the judiciary system of a lack of transparency. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - Academics Analyze Lien-Xi Meeting (2018-07-16)
(Taipei Times, By Chung Li-hua, Huang Chien-hao, and Jonathan Chin)
Following the Saturday meeting between former vice president Lien Chan and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Taiwanese academics discussed the dialogue and implications of the meeting. They pointed out that in order to make worthwhile efforts to improve cross-Strait ties, Xi should meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, rather than a member of her opposition who no longer holds a position. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - Ex-Olympic Committee Member's Motives Questioned (2018-07-15)
(Taipei Times, By Chung Li-hua and Sherry Hsiao) The letter that former Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC) member Yao Yuan-chao sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), making reference of a local alliance pushing for a name change from Chinese Taipei to Taiwan, has caused former Sports Administration director-general Yang Chung-ho to question Yao's intentions. In the letter, Yao remarked that a name change would provoke crisis in the Taiwan Strait. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - Taiwan Lawmakers to Visit U.S. (2018-07-15)
(CNA, By Wang Cheng-chung and Evelyn Kao) Taiwan's lawmakers are scheduled for a six-day trip to the U.S. During the trip, they will be meeting U.S. government officials and members of Congress. According to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Liu Shih-fang, both nations will be discussing issues on the Taiwan Travel Act and the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - Haiti Prime Minister's Resignation to not Affect Ties with Taiwan (2018-07-15)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesman Andrew Lee remarked that the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant will not hurt Taiwan-Haiti relations. Lee further reassured by stating that Haiti president Jovenel Moïse's visit to Taiwan in late May demonstrates the continued strong relations between both nations. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - Proposal to Replace DPP's Taiwan Independence Platform Shot Down (2018-07-15)
(CNA, By Wang Cheng-chung and S.C. Chang) The proposal to maintain the status quo across the strait was turned down during the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) annual congress. Party delegate Hsu Han-sheng remarked that the proposal was necessary to cement DPP's victory in the upcoming November local government elections, including elevating DPP's image of maintaining a peaceful cross-strait relations. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - Tsai Rehashes Promises to Young People (2018-07-15)
(CNA, By Lu Hsin-hui, Yeh Su-ping and Evelyn Kao) During the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) annual congress, President Tsai Ing-wen has put forward several policies to demonstrate DPP's promises to the younger generation. Some of the policies include a tax reform package, improvements in the labor's working conditions, and raising Taiwan's minimum wage. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - KMT Launches Campaign with Promises (2018-07-15)
(Taipei Times, By Shih Hsiao-kuang and William Hetherington) During the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) campaign rally for the upcoming November local elections, KMT Chairman Wu Den-yih has asked the nation to support and give the KMT party another opportunity to serve the people. Wu further criticized Presiden Tsai Ing-wen for not keeping her campaign promises. <Accessed 2018-07-16> - Taiwan Must be Prepared Amid U.S.-China Trade War: TAITRA (2018-07-14)
(CNA, By Rita Cheng and Flor Wang) In light of the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) vice chairman Liu Shih-chung has called for Taiwan to be prepared. However, Liu also reassured that Taiwan need not panic as Taiwan's New Southbound Policy in 2016 has allowed Taiwan to diversify its export markets. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - Taiwan Donates 20 Million Japanese Yen to Japan Flood Relief (2018-07-14)
(CNA, By Yang Ming-chu and Lee Hsin-Yin) Japan has received 20 million Japanese yen from Taiwan as donation for Japan's recent flood disaster. Taiwan's envoy to Japan Frank Hsieh has expressed that Taiwan and Japan have, in the past, provided disaster reliefs, support, and assistance to each other. Hsieh further added that this has helped foster good relations between both nations. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - Foreign Minister Reaffirms Taiwan-El Salvador Ties (2018-07-14)
(CNA, By Elaine Hou and Lee Hsin-yin)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Friday discussed the success of Foreign Minister Joseph Yu’s recent trip to El Salvador, which reaffirmed and improved bilateral ties and cooperation. Wu met not only with President Salvador Sánchez Cerén but also with acting foreign minister Carlos Castaneda and Vice President Oscar Ortiz. <Accessed 2018-07-15> - AIT Director Moy Sends Final Farewell Message to Taiwan (2018-07-14)
(CNA, By Elaine Hou and William Yen)
Kin Moy and his family left Taiwan to return to the U.S. on Saturday. He posted a video online fondly reflecting on his time in Taiwan, recalling the successful efforts of U.S.-Taiwan citizens to improve U.S.-Taiwan relations. <Accessed 2018-07-15> - CCP Is Nation’s Enemy: Ministry Article (2018-07-14)
(Taipei Times, By Aaron Tu and Sherry Hsiao)
In a column published by the Ministry of National Defense’s Political Warfare Bureau Monday, a defense ministry official reminded readers of the Chinese Communist Party’s threats towards Taiwan, citing the CCP’s specific military and verbal tactics. The article also pointedly described the CCP as an enemy to Taiwan. <Accessed 2018-07-15> - Legislative Yuan Becomes Observer at PARLACEN (2018-07-13)
(Taipei Times, By Sean Lin) Taiwan's Legislative Yuan has become one of Central American Parliament's (PARLACEN) permanent observer. During the signing ceremony, PARLACEN President Tony Raful expressed that PARLACEN stands with Taiwan and supports Taiwan. As a permanent member of PARLACEN, Taiwan will have more opportunities to work closely with PARLACEN's six member states on economy, trade, politics, and social development, including promoting democracy and peace. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - Lien Raises Four Proposals in Closed-Door Meeting with Xi (2018-07-13)
(CNA, By Miao Chung-hen and Flor Wang) During the closed-door meeting between former Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lien has proposed for both Taiwan and China to find common ground under the "one China" principle that will establish peaceful exchanges between both sides in the interests of the people. While Lien expressed that the deadlock in the cross-strait relations in recent years is a cause for concern, Xi remarked positively about an eventual peaceful unification. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - Apache Attack Helicopters to be Commissioned Tuesday: MND (2018-07-13)
(CNA, By Matt Yu and William Yen) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that Taiwan's Army is set to hold an official ceremony on the commission of its Apache attack helicopters. Military spokesman Chen Chung-Chi said that the newly acquired helicopters from the United States have demonstrated high performance and effectiveness on land, air, and asymmetric warfare during military exercises and training programs. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - New York Community's Switch from ROC to Chinese Flag not a Trend, Officials Say (2018-07-13)
(Taipei Times, By Lu Yi-hsuan and Johnathan Chin) The New York City's Soo Yuen Benevolent Association has decided to switch from the ROC flag to the People's Republic of China (PRC) flag as its members have become predominantly Chinese. In light of this decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of North American and the Overseas Community Affairs Council have expressly stated that this switching of flag will not deter the government's stance for a democratic and free Taiwan. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - U.S.-China Trade War to Hit Taiwan: Experts (2018-07-12)
(CNA, By Chu Tze-wei and Shih Hsiu-chuan) As the United States planned to impose 10 percent tariffs on another US$200 billion of Chinese exports, Taiwanese economic experts called on the government to devise strategies to contain the fallout and uncertainties from the U.S. trade war with China, which they said is certain to impact Taiwan. <Accessed 2018-07-12> - U.K. Insists on its Terminology for Taiwan Amid Chinese Threat (2018-07-12)
(CNA, By Tai Ya-chen and Joseph Yeh)
Following China’s continued pressure on international airlines regarding the online designation of Taiwan, Mark Field, minister of state for the U.K.’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, stated Tuesday that the U.K. would not change its policy regarding Taiwan’s distinction and expressed the U.K.’s dismay with China’s pressure. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Andrew Lee Thursday thanked Field for this statement and assured the public that Taiwan would not submit to China’s pressure. <Accessed 2018-07-12> - China Likely to Tone Down Rhetoric in Lien-Xi Meeting: Scholars (2018-07-12)
(CNA, By Chai Sze-chia and Ko Lin)
Taiwanese scholars discussed Thursday the upcoming meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan. They expect Xi will use the meeting to send a message of improving cross-Strait relations aimed at the U.S. to prevent the U.S. from using Taiwan as leverage against China in the midst of growing U.S.-China tensions. <Accessed 2018-07-12> - Premier Explains Cabinet Reshuffle (2018-07-12)
(CNA, By Shih Hsiu-chuan)
Premier Lai Ching-te Thursday discussed the reasoning for the recently announced Cabinet reshuffle. The reshuffle included the replacement of four Ministers: Interior Minister, Minister of Justice, Minister of Transportation and Communications, and Finance Minister. A key purpose for the reshuffle, according to Lai, is the governments shift from policy formulation to policy implementation. <Accessed 2018-07-12> - Foreign Minister to Visit El Salvador, Belize (2018-07-11)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu has been invited by El Salvador Acting Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda and Belize Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington to visit El Salvador and Belize. According to the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Wu will meet with several top and senior government officials during his trip. <Accessed 2018-07-12> - Former Vice President Lien to Embark on Visit to Beijing (2018-07-11)
(CNA, By Li Shu-hua and Hsu Hsiao-ling) Former Vice President and Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Lien Chan is scheduled for a nine-day visit to Beijing. The former Vice President's office stated that Lien has expressed hope that his upcoming Beijing trip will foster greater cross-strait relations. <Accessed 2018-07-12> - Envoy to Eswatini Recovering: Ministry (2018-07-11)
(Taipei Times, By Julianna Lai) Ambassador to Eswatini Thomas Chen, the only Taiwanese ambassador in Africa, is recovering well from a stroke last month. In light of Beijing using investments and loans to attract African countries, Chen is under intense pressure to strengthen Taiwan's foreign relations. Eswatini's King Mswati III has assured Taiwan that he will continue to maintain a good Taiwan-Eswatini relationship. <Accessed 2018-07-12> - AIT, MOFA Mourn Death of Former AIT Director Johnson (2018-07-11)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Darryl N. Johnson has passed away on June 24. AIT and Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) mourn Johnson's passing. During Johnson's term as AIT Director from 1996 to 1999, he has helped build positive U.S.-Taiwan relations, including witnessing Taiwan's first direct presidential election of President Lee Teng-hui. <Accessed 2018-07-12>
- Chinese Navy Surveillance Vessel Observes RIMPAC 2018 Exercises (2018-07-14)
(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) sent a Type 815 vessel to observe the Rim of the Pacific exercises this year. While China has participated in the naval exercises in the past, this year they were not invited at the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. Pacific Fleet said that they hoped that the Chinese vessel would remain out of the waters used for the naval exercises. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - How Rare Earths (What?) Could Be Crucial in a U.S.-China Trade War (2018-07-11)
(New York Times, By Alexandra Stevenson) And in one of its more strategic weapons, Beijing could use its dominance to cut off key parts of the global supply chain. China is the major supplier of a number of mundane but crucial materials and components needed to keep the world’s factories humming. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - How Germany Won Freedom for the Widow of China’s Most Famous Dissident (2018-07-11)
(New York Times, By Jane Perlez and Ian Johnson) The decision by the Chinese government to release Ms. Liu days before the anniversary of her husband’s death sprang from the passionate interest in her fate by Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, who requested Ms. Liu’s release during a meeting with her Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, an unusual move by a Western leader. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - What's Next for the China-CEE 16+1 Platform? (2018-07-13)
(The Diplomat, By Bartosz Kowalski) Following the most recent summit of China and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in Sofia, Croatia will be hosting the summit next year before it heads back to China in 2020. The summits have seen much greater trade exchanges in favor of Beijing as well as increased political influence, so observing the geopolitical shifts in the area is important. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - China Is Standing in the Way of North Korea Negotiations (2018-07-13)
(The Diplomat, By Willis L. Krumholz) As China loosens its sanctions implementation and allows North Korea access to much-needed foreign currency reserves, the United States has another obstacle to achieving resolutions with North Korea. A unified Korean Peninsula could prove a threat to Chinese regional objectives. However, this does not mean denuclearization is impossible, as long as the U.S. goes into negotiations with realistic expectations. <Accessed 2018-07-14> - Is There Really a ‘China Model’? (2018-07-13)
(The Diplomat, By Bonnie Girard) China markets its model for development as a superior version to the one marketed by the United States, but it presents a fallacy in that China itself does not follow the economic system it advocates for. Parts of "the China model" would be nearly impossible to replicate without widespread political reforms in developing countries. The "China model" cannot stand on its own; it is tied to "Chinese characteristics." <Accessed 2018-07-14> - New Round of U.S.-China Trade War Rattles Global Markets (2018-07-11)
(New York Times, By Alexandra Stevenson) President Trump’s escalating trade war with China weighed on global markets on Wednesday. The selling extended to early trading on Wall Street, though declines in the United States weren’t as steep as those in Europe and Asia. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - North Korean Waitresses’ Defection May Have Been Forced, U.N. Official Says (2018-07-10)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun) A United Nations official on Tuesday called for an investigation into whether 12 North Korean waitresses were brought to South Korea against their will, saying that some had told him they had not known where they were going when they made the journey in 2016. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Liu Xia, Detained Widow of Nobel Peace Laureate, Leaves China (2018-07-10)
(New York Times, By Jane Perlez) The ailing widow of Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese democracy advocate and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who died of cancer last year under police guard, left China for Europe on Tuesday after a high-level diplomatic campaign by the German government. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Pompeo Sharpens Tone on North Korea: ‘The World Is a Gangster’ (2018-07-08)
(New York Times, By Gardiner Harris) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shot back at North Korean officials for characterizing American diplomatic behavior as gangster-like, saying on Sunday that if that was true, then “the world is a gangster.” <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Beijing Hits Out at Washington for ‘Playing Taiwan Card’ after US Warships Sail through Strait (2018-07-08)
(South China Morning Post, By Laura Zhou and Kinling Lo) Beijing’s top Taiwan affairs official hit out at the United States on Sunday for playing the “Taiwan card” amid heightened tensions over trade, a day after two US warships passed through the Taiwan Strait. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - China and Germany Band Together against US on Trade, But It’s ‘Tenuous’ (2018-07-09)
(South China Morning Post, By Keegan Elmer) Beijing was keen to portray two export powerhouses standing together against unilateralism and protectionism when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Berlin on Monday, but analysts say simmering tensions remain. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Pentagon Defends US Warships in the Taiwan Strait, Shrugs at China’s Outcry (2018-07-10)
(South China Morning Post, By Zhenhua Lu) The US Defence Department said on Monday that sending two US warships through the Taiwan Strait this weekend was “legally permissible” after China accused the US of playing the “Taiwan card” as the two countries’ trade dispute heated up. Colonel Robert Manning, director of the Pentagon’s press operations, said at a briefing that the warships’ passage through the strait was in international waters so that “the United States Navy has got the right to transit”. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - ZTE Executives Meet with US Commerce Department Officials to Work Out Final Details of Compliance Deal (2018-07-11)
(South China Morning Post, By Jodi Xu Klein and Robert Delaney) ZTE Corp, the Chinese telecommunications giant accused of violating US sanctions against North Korea and Iran, met with US Commerce Department officials to work out details of a final compliance deal that will help restart its business, according to five people with knowledge of the matter. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - China's Xi Pledges $20 Billion in Loans to Revive Middle East (2018-07-09)
(Reuters) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday pledged a package of $20 billion in loans, and about $106 million in financial aid, to Middle East nations, as part of what he called an “oil and gas plus” model to revive economic growth in the region. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Trump Suggests China Might Be Interfering in U.S.-North Korea Talks (2018-07-09)
(Reuters, By Susan Heavey and David Brunnstrom) President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that China might be seeking to derail U.S. efforts aimed at denuclearizing North Korea, but said he was confident that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would uphold a pact the two agreed last month. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - China and the United States Must Avoid a New Cold War (2018-07-11)
(East Asia Forum, By Wang Yong) In economic and trade negotiations, China should adhere to its principles and respond to unreasonable US demands with strength. At the same time, China must deepen reforms and expand its opening up to consolidate the common interests that are the foundation of China–US relations. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Asia after the Liberal International Order (2018-07-10)
(East Asia Forum, By Amitav Acharya) Instead of helping the West to resurrect the liberal order, Asia will lead the transition to a different type of world order. The remnants of the liberal order will have to come to terms with a Chinese-led order and other regional orders around the world in what I call a decentered and post-hegemonic ‘multiplex world’. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Are Arms Exports a Tool of Chinese Foreign Policy? (2018-07-07)
(East Asia Forum, By Lucie Béraud-Sudreau and Meia Nouwens) Chinese arms sales appear to be more transactional than an instrument of foreign policy. For instance, there has been no uptick in Chinese arms deliveries to core Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries since this initiative was announced in 2013. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Managing Fisheries in the South China Sea’s Troubled Waters (2018-07-05)
(East Asia Forum, By Zhang Hongzhou) Fishery disputes are on the rise in the South China Sea and could aggravate regional tensions if left unaddressed. But the establishment of a regional fisheries management body would be no cure-all for the region’s resource disputes or the deeper geopolitical issues at play. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Political Warfare Requires Readiness (2018-07-10)
(Taipei Times, By Kerry Gershaneck) China’s propaganda organs implement, including via threats, Beijing’s “political warfare” — a little understood but vital weapon in China’s growing arsenal aimed at achieving regional and global hegemony. <Accessed 2018-07-11> - Is China Using Force or Coercion in the South China Sea? (2018-07-11)
(The Diplomat, By Constantinos Yiallourides) The United States, Japan, and Australia all use the word "coercion" to describe China' actions in the South China Sea because coercion is one of the criteria that can determine whether or not a state is in violation of international law. Whether or not China is using force according to Article 2 of the UN Charter can determine what responses may be taken to address China. However, this does not determine whether or not states are prepared to take such actions. <Accessed 2018-07-15> - What’s Next for Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy With ASEAN? (2018-07-11)
(The Diplomat, By Prashanth Parameswaran) The New Southbound Policy's goals of expanding relations with Taiwan's neighboring countries, especially ASEAN states, is beginning to see its rhetoric converted to reality, albeit slowly. It still faces several key challenges before its full realization. Taiwan's leadership is aware of many of these challenges and is taking all measures to address them. <Accessed 2018-07-15>
- DPP Outdoes KMT on Reform but not on Ability to Govern: Survey (2018-07-15)
(CNA, By Shih Hsiu-chuan) A nationwide survey conducted by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation reported that respondents felt the KMT can better govern Taiwan compared to the DPP. Nonetheless, respondents felt that the DPP is better at representing the interests of Taiwanese. Furthermore, respondents were found to be "neutral or independent" instead of displaying partisanship. <Accessed 2018-07-16>
