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- Supporters Protest DPP Primary Process (2019-05-23)
(Taipei Times, By Jason Pan) Academics, prominent figures, pan-green supporters and Taiwanese independent groups protested outside the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) headquarters in Taipei, urging the DPP to abide by its original primary schedule. One of the prominent figures present was Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation chairman Michael You, who remarked that as the first true political party for Taiwanese, the DPP must hold a fair and democratic presidential primary process. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - New Party Chief to Lead Visit to China, TAO Says (2019-05-23)
(Taipei Times, By Chung Li-hua, Chen Yun and William Hetherington) China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Ma Xiaoguang announced that New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming will be leading a Taiwanese delegation to tour several "key areas" in China. According to Ma, the Taiwanese delegation would discuss with the Chinese on issues of cross-strait relations and the rejuvenation of the Chinese people. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - DPP Fails to Reach Consensus on Presidential Primary (2019-05-23)
(CNA, By Wen Kuei-hsiang, Yeh Su-ping and Emerson Lim) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has failed to reach a decision on when its presidential primary should be held or how the public opinion polls are to be conducted. DPP Chairman Cho Jung-tai proposed a series of public opinion polls to be held from June 10-14 to decide on the party's presidential candidate but the party's Central Executive Committee failed to agree on the survey methods. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - U.S. Vessels Pass Through Taiwan Strait for Fifth Time This Year: MND (2019-05-23)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed that two U.S. naval vessels sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, making it the fifth transit this year. However, the ministry did not furnish additional information about the transit apart from the fact that Taiwan's military was fully aware of the situation. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - U.S. Passes Bill to Support Taiwan as WHO Observer (2019-05-23)
(CNA, By Chiang Chinye and Chi Jo-yao) On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed a bill to support Taiwan as an observer in the World Health Organization (WHO). For the past three consecutive years, Taiwan did not receive an invitation to participate at the World Health Assembly (WHA) due to China's opposition. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - 15 Allies, 8 Like-Minded Nations, Speak for Taiwan at WHA (2019-05-23)
(CNA, By Tang Pei-chun, Tai Ya-chen and Joseph Yeh) 15 of Taiwan's diplomatic allies and 8 like-minded non-ally nations voiced for Taiwan's participation at the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Wednesday. However, Nicaragua and the Vatican, Taiwan's two diplomatic allies, did not speak up for Taiwan's WHA bid. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - Legislature Moves to Limit Activities of Former Officers in China (2019-05-23)
(CNA, By Chen Chun-hua and Chung Yu-chen) The draft amendment to the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area passed the committee stage in the Legislature on Thursday. The proposed amendment bill aims to prohibit Taiwan's former high-ranking officials and retired generals from participating in political functions in China. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - Taiwan's New Southbound Policy Showing Strong Results: Trade Office (2019-05-23)
(CNA, By Stacy Hsu) The Cabinet's Office of Trade Negotiations announced on Thursday that the government's New Southbound Policy has generated an increased in the number of students and visitors from the targeted countries. The number of Taiwanese students going to the 18 countries to study has also increased. Senior trade negotiator Hsiao Chen-jung remarked that Taiwan's total trade volume with the 18 countries has reached US$117.1 billion last year. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - Chinese Dissident Wu'er Kaixi Does not Regret Tiananmen Protests (2019-05-23)
(CNA, By Miao Zong-han and Emerson Lim) Chinese dissident Wu'er Kaixi, one of the leaders of the student-led Tiananmen protests in 1989, remarked that he never regretted his actions but would be hesitant to do it again if he could go back in time as the consequences were unforeseeable for him and his family. Wu'er Kaixi further stated that he is honored to share the democratic pride with the Taiwanese people. <Accessed 2019-05-24> - Returning Taiwanese Firms to Bring Back NT$100 Billion in 2019: MOEA (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Tsai Peng-min and Frances Huang)
Economics Affairs Minister Shen Jong-chin said at a legislative hearing Monday that the 55 overseas-based Taiwan companies that will be returning to Taiwan to avoid the trade war have pledged a total NT$288.4 billion in investments when they return. These investments are expected to create about 28,500 new jobs and to boost Taiwan’s GDP, which will likely show at least a 2 percent growth in 2019. <Accessed 2019-05-23> - Cross-Strait Peace and Stability Remains Priority: Tsai (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Stacy Hsu)
While speaking at a press conference at the Presidential Office Monday, President Tsai Ing-wen said that in the future, her priority in terms of cross-Strait relations is to maintain the current peace and stability. She made these remarks in response to a question on whether or not she may toughen her stance in the last year of her presidency. <Accessed 2019-05-23> - U.S. Scholar Worried About Taiwan Elections, Cross-Strait Future (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Flor Wang and Ozzy Yin)
Shelley Rigger, senior fellow in the Asia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, published an article titled “Taiwan on (the) Edge”, in which she expressed her concerns over Taiwan’s 2020 election. Her primary worry is that there will not be any good moderate candidate and that Taiwan will instead elect a president that is either extremely pro-independence or pro-unification. <Accessed 2019-05-23> - Taiwan, eSwatini Set Up Joint Economic Committee (2019-05-22)
(CNA, By Liao Yu-yang and Frances Huang)
The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that Taiwan and eSwatini have established a joint committee to promote deepening bilateral economic ties. Economics Minister Shen Jong-chin said that many Taiwanese exporters are interested in moving into eSwatini in order to extend their African reach. eSwatini Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said that his ministry aims to use eSwatini’s investment policy to help its agriculture business become more export-oriented. <Accessed 2019-05-23> - Taiwan Needs Voice at WHA: U.S. Health Secretary (2019-05-22)
(CNA, By Flor Wang and Elaine Hou)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Secretary Alex Azar met with Taiwan’s Health Minister Chen Shi-chung in Geneva Tuesday to discuss global health issues, national medical care programs, and cooperation on epidemic prevention. During the meeting and on social media afterwords, Azar expressed his support for Taiwan’s role in the World Health Assembly. <Accessed 2019-05-23> - Terry Gou Puts Forth Ideas to Tackle Salary Stagnation (2019-05-22)
(CNA, By Chang Chien-chung and Frances Huang)
Terry Gou, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Chairman and presidential hopeful, put forth his proposals to address the issue of salary stagnation via Facebook post Wednesday. His plan involves using big data technology to be more transparent with companies’ salaries, which will help jobseekers have a better idea of companies they want to work for in addition to prompting employers to raise low wages. <Accessed 2019-05-23> - WHO Exclusion Presents an Olympics Risk: Chen (2019-05-22)
(Taipei Times/CNA) According to Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung, Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Organization (WHO) could affect next year's Olympics. Chen explained that as Taiwan serves as a transportation hub in East and Southeast Asai, being excluded from the WHO's health and safety system could cause a loophole for infections disease control. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - Gou Suggests Han Should Stay on as Kaohsiung Mayor (2019-05-22)
(Taipei Times, By Ann Maxon) Hon Hai Precision Industry co chairman Terry Guo remarked that he and Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu would be a "perfect team" if Guo becomes Taiwan's president and Han continues as mayor. Gou further stated that he will need to spend more time visiting people in different regions to have a better understanding of their needs. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - U.S., Germany, U.K. Speak for Taiwan at WHA (2019-05-21)
(CNA, By Tang Pei-chun, Tai Ya-chen, Joseph Yeh and Evelyn Kao) During the first day of the World Health Assembly (WHA) annual meeting, the U.S., Germany, and the U.K. spoke out for Taiwan. A late proposal by Taiwan's 14 diplomatic allies for Taiwan to attend the WHA meeting failed. China has blocked the World Health Organization (WHO) from inviting Taiwan to the WHA since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May 2016. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - Taiwan Could Benefit from U.S. Ban on Huawei: Economics Minister (2019-05-21)
(CNA, By Liao Yu-yang, Jeffrey Wu and Frances Huang) Economic Affairs Minister Shen Jong-chin remarked that Taiwan could benefit from a U.S. ban on American companies from doing business with Chinese smartphone company Huawei Technologies. Shen further added that the MOEA will offer necessary assistance to overseas Taiwanese manufacturers that will hasten their return to Taiwan in order to avoid being caught in the trade tension between the U.S. and China. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - Former Premier Accuses Tsai Camp of Lying as Primary Turns Nasty (2019-05-21)
(CNA, By Wen Kuei-hsiang, Chen Ja-fo and Chung Yu-chen) Former Premier Lai Ching-te stated that he did not tell President Tsai Ing-wen that he would not run for the presidency. Lai also urged for a clean primary as failure to do so will cause party disunity and divisions in society. Lai further stated that he has no intentions to quit and is willing to meet with Tsai for party unity. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - Tsai Ing-wen: Three Years: Policies to Pay Off Soon, Tsai Says (2019-05-21)
(Taipei Times/CNA) During a news conference at the Presidential Office, president Tsai Ing-wen announced that Taiwanese would soon be able to enjoy the benefits of her administration's policies. According to Tsai, Taiwan will soon realize its goals for a nuclear-free nation, greater use of green energy, a self-reliant defense industry, and greater protection of national sovereignty. Tsai also added that her cross-strait policy is to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - Tsai Ing-wen: Three Years: Survey puts President's Approval Rating at 41% (2019-05-21)
(Taipei Times, By Lee I-chia) A Cross-Strait Policy Association survey reported that president Tsai Ing-wen received an approval rating of 41% and 57% of the respondents approved her performance in safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty. However, 53.2% did not approve of Tsai's general performance since she took office in 2016. According to deputy secretary-general Lin Ting-hui, respondents disapproved of Tsai's general performance due to her internal affairs policies. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - Tsai Ing-wen: Three Years: Tsai's Policies Hindered Growth, Lost Allies: KMT (2019-05-21)
(Taipei Times, By Ann Maxon) During a news conference at the party's headquarters, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and its National Policy Foundation think tank evaluated president Tsai Ing-wen's performance over the past three years. According to KMT, due to Tsai's ineffective policies, they have caused slow economic growth in the nation and the loss of diplomatic allies. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - Paraguay Speaks in Support of Taiwan as WHA Observer (2019-05-21)
(CNA, By Tang Pei-chun, Tai Ya-chen, and William Yen) During the second day of the World Health Assembly (WHA) annual meeting, Julio Mazzoleni, Paraguay's minister of health, spoke up for Taiwan. Mazzoleni remarked that the participation of Taiwan as an observer at the WHA is crucial as it would help the World Health Organization (WHO) to better achieve its goals. <Accessed 2019-05-22> - China's State-Run Newspaper "Sucks": Foreign Minister (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu criticized the People's Daily, China's largest newspaper group, for stating that Taiwan, China, have legalized same-sex marriage in Asia. Wu stressed that Taiwan is not part of China and the same-sex marriage bill was passed by a democratic Taiwan as a country in itself. <Accessed 2019-05-20> - Former President Questions Reason for Extending Travel Restriction (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Yu Hsiang and William Yen) Former President Ma Ying-jeou questioned the extension of the travel ban that was placed upon him. Ma called the extension unjustified and argued that the Presidential Office did not explain the reason for the extension. Ma also stated that he and former Vice President Wu Den-yih, who has also received notice for the travel ban, will file a complaint with the Presidential Office. <Accessed 2019-05-20> - Taiwan Steps Up Campaign in Geneva for WHA Bid (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Tang Pei-chu, Tai Ya-chen and Evelyn Kao) Members from the Taiwan United Nations Alliance (TAIUNA) will attend the Walk the Talk event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote Taiwan's presence and to highlight Taiwan's contributions toward global health care. Taiwan had hoped to attend the WHA in Geneva as an observer this May but was denied participation due to China's obstruction. <Accessed 2019-05-20> - President Cites Accomplishments on Eve of 3rd Anniversary (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Yeh Su-ping and Emerson Lim) During a visit to the city of Kaohsiung, president Tsai Ing-wen listed her accomplishments since becoming Taiwan's president on May 20, 2016. Tsai cited recent surveys that demonstrated the people's satisfaction with her and her administration. Tsai also expressed hope that the people will give her more time to make Taiwan a nation that is capable of defending itself and respected internationally. <Accessed 2019-05-20> - Ties With China Should be as 'Neighbors,' Ko Says (2019-05-20)
(Taipei Times, By Lee I-chia) Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je stated that Taiwan's relationship with China should be as "neighbors". Ko remarked that his idea that Taiwan should befriend the US and being friendly to China is a good diplomatic strategy and he would continue to adhere to it. <Accessed 2019-05-20> - Han Kuang Drills to Feature F-16Vs, Perry-Class Frigates (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Matt Yu and Evelyn Kao) According to an anonymous official from the Ministry of National Defense (MND), a wide range of military equipment, weapons and vehicles will take part in this year's Han Kuang live-fire drills from May 27 to 31. The Han Kuang exercises are Taiwan's biggest annual military drill. The live-fire drills will test the Army, Navy and Air Force's coordinated response to simulated assaults from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) from air and sea. <Accessed 2019-05-20> - 'Don't Forget Tiananmen,' Exile Says (2019-05-20)
(Taipei Times, By Chung Li-hua) During a conference in Taipei, exiled Chinese dissident Wang Dan urged all Chinese longing for democracy to "never forget, never give up, reunite and start over". Wang remarked that the changing attitudes among young Chinese deserve attention and this change has put Chinese President Xi Jin-ping on edge. Wang also stated that future Chinese generations should have knowledge of the Tiananmen Massacre. <Accessed 2019-05-20> - Wu'er Kaixi Reflects Upon Tiananmen Incident (2019-05-20)
(CNA, By Flor Wang and Chang Shu-lin) During an international conference in Taipei to mark the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Incident in Beijing, Wu'er Kaixi, one of the leaders of the student-led Tiananmen protests in 1989, remarked that democracy is of ultimate importance to the common man. Wu further stated that although mistakes can be made in the name of democracy, corrections can also be made in the name of democracy. <Accessed 2019-05-20>
- Former C.I.A. Officer Sentenced to 20 Years After Spying for China (2019-05-17)
(New York Times, By Adam Goldman) A former C.I.A. officer was sentenced on Friday to 20 years in prison by a federal judge in Northern Virginia for passing secrets to China in return for $25,000, bringing to a close one of several cases involving Chinese attempts to recruit former American intelligence officers. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - China Constrained as Much as Controlling in the South Pacific (2019-05-16)
(East Asia Forum, By Denghua Zhang) China’s engagement with the states of the South Pacific Ocean has accelerated in recent years. But while policymakers and academics increasingly talk about China’s growing influence, Beijing actually operates in the region under a number of constraints. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - Why the US-China Trade Negotiations Are Stuck (2019-05-18)
(The Diplomat, By Bonnie Girard) Many observers seem to think that the United States and China have sufficient guanxi, often translated as "relationship," to work out their differences in the ongoing trade war. However, it is possible that China does not see "relationship" as an accurate translation, and therefore "guanxi" does not refer to what U.S. experts believe it does, hindering the continuing trade negotiations. Nowadays, the "closed system" that the word may refer to means the internal workings of the Communist Party, something that negotiators in Washington will never truly comprehend as outsiders. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - US-China Decoupling and Vulnerabilities in the American Defense Industrial Base (2019-05-18)
(The Diplomat, By Robert Farley) The implications of the deterioration of U.S.-China relations, particularly in the case of both U.S. and Chinese firms, are starting to show around the world. This is particularly evident in the defense industry, where both sides have deep partnerships with firms in the other country. Policymakers should take note of the effects that the decoupling of China and the United States may have on the defense industry when moving forward with new policy proposals. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - US Navy Chief: US Hasn't Stepped up Sea Patrols to Confront China (2019-05-17)
(The Diplomat, By Annabelle Liang) While the U.S. Navy has not stepped up its activity in the South China Sea, it maintains consistent patrols of the area to check China's sweeping territorial claims over the region. A top admiral emphasized that the United States's freedom of navigation operations (FONOPS) are non-provocative in an effort to maintain a balance of power and status quo. He also commented on China's progress on constructing aircraft carriers, noting that they were early in the process. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - Anatomy of a Taiwan Invasion, Part 3: Taiwan's Countermeasures (2019-05-17)
(The Diplomat, By Rick Joe) The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) faces several shortcomings that may prevent it from holding against the People's Liberation Army in the event of a Mainland Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Instead of expanding in the same way as the PLAF, however, the ROCAF could expand asymmetrically and challenge China in a different aspect. While the PLA will likely expand its capabilities through technological advancements in the coming years, we do not yet know if they will address their conventional shortcomings and develop new ways of addressing those gaps. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - After US Places Huawei on Blacklist, China Formally Arrests 2 Canadians for Spying (2019-05-17)
(The Diplomat, By Charlotte Gao) Following Huawei's blacklist from U.S. companies, the Chinese government announced that the two Canadian citizens they detained in December 2018 would be formally arrested for spying on China. A press spokesperson said that their actions were entirely law-based and that they hoped Canada would not interpret their arrests the wrong way. Canada has condemned the two citizens' arrests and demanded their immediate release. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - Huawei, China, and Trump’s Trade War (2019-05-17)
(The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) The U.S. government's latest actions regarding Huawei essentially mean that any U.S. company that wishes to do anything regarding Huawei technology needs prior U.S. government approval, a move which China has reacted angrily to. While the institution of the new U.S. regulations were made separately of the ongoing trade war between the two countries, the action must be taken with regard to the context of the trade dispute. Negotiations have stopped for now, and it is still to be seen whether this new set of news will either restart or kill off the potential for new talks. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - Huawei in the Trump Administration’s Crosshairs as US-China Economic Warfare Escalates (2019-05-17)
(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) In the short term, the U.S. government's de facto blacklisting of Huawei from doing business with U.S. firms will hurt Huawei and cause other Chinese companies to voluntarily stop doing business with U.S. firms to protect themselves. It is not immediately obvious that this worst-case scenario will occur, as it may just be a threatening move in the short term. Given that this extends beyond just trade, the economic war between the United States and China is growing on many fronts. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - US Moves Toward Tariff Hikes on Another $300 Billion in Chinese Goods (2019-05-14)
(The Diplomat, By Joe McDonald) The United States has listed $300 billion worth of goods in another round of potential tariff hikes. Beijing has also listed $60 billion worth of American goods with higher tariffs as well, with neither side backing down. The two sides have been escalating tensions, signaling an end to the temporary truce in the ongoing trade war. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - How Trump and Xi Will Shape US-China Relations (2019-05-13)
(The Diplomat, By Katie Howe) The future of U.S.-China relations is largely dependent on the individual personalities of leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, both of whom see themselves as the only ones who matter in their country's foreign policy decisions. Both have many traits in common, including a need to distinguish themselves from their predecessors. However, their differences can lead to conflicts on a global level. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - US Trade Tantrum: The Fallout for China and Asia (2019-05-13)
(The Diplomat, By Anthony Fensom) Washington has listed potential new tariffs on a list of Chinese goods, a break away from the temporary truce the United States and China had in the ongoing trade war. President Trump told China that they must make a deal soon or face even stronger consequences. If tensions escalate, financial markets in Asia and around the world could take a serious hit. <Accessed 2019-05-21>
- US-China Trade Talks: High Risk, High Stakes (2019-05-15)
(The Diplomat, By Mercy A. Kuo) James Green, the former Minister Counselor for Trade Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing (2013-2018), discusses the stalled U.S.-China trade negotiations and the greater context of the two countries' strategic competition and disputes. <Accessed 2019-05-21> - Andrew Erickson and Ryan Martinson on China and the Maritime Gray Zone (2019-05-14)
(The Diplomat, By Prashanth Parameswaran) Andrew Erickson and Ryan Martinson, of the U.S. Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute, discuss China's actions and views of the maritime grey zone. <Accessed 2019-05-21>
