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- Taiwan Must Cope Firmly with Changing Circumstances: Tsai (2019-01-16)
(CNA, By Wang Cheng-chung and Evelyn Kao) During an inspection tour of the Army Defense Command in Hualien and Taitung, Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen remarked that the government will continue to protect the nation's sovereignty, democracy and security. Tsai also stated that the government must be able to adapt to the changing circumstances amid China's pressure. <Accessed 2019-01-16> - Taiwan Opts Against WHA Participation Push at WHO Board Meet (2019-01-16)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) According to Bob Chen, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of International Organization, the ministry has decided not to ask Taiwan's diplomatic allies and other countries to voice for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) at the World Health Organization's (WHO's) executive board session this month. However, the ministry has decided to ask Taiwan's allies and friendly nations of WHO members to voice for Taiwan's participation in May if Taiwan's admission is again denied. <Accessed 2019-01-16> - Fujian, Kinmen Ties Lauded by County Magistrate (2019-01-16)
(CNA, By Huang Huei-min and William Yen) Kinmen's county magistrate Yang Cheng-wu welcomed a plan proposed by governor Tang Dengjie of China's Fujian Province to establish cross-strait cooperation projects between Fujian and Taiwan's Kinmen and Matsu. However, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) released a statement commenting that the proposal is under the central government's jurisdiction and requires careful assessment. <Accessed 2019-01-16> - Ex-HK Lawmaker Urges Unity in Taiwan Amid China Threat (2019-01-16)
(CNA, By Miao Zong-han and Flor Wang)
Raymond Wong Yuk-man, a former member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council at a seminar on Wednesday urged Taiwan to observe the example of the “one country, two systems” formula’s application in Hong Kong as a warning. He called the formula a “nightmare” and insisted that Taiwanese people, regardless of political affiliation, be firm in their opposition of China’s increasing pressure and prepare possible responses based on Hong kong’s experience. <Accessed 2019-01-16> - DPP Election Losses Reflect Unmet Public Expectations: Party Official (2019-01-16)
(CNA, By Yeh Su-ping and Chung Yu-chen)
The new secretary-general of the Democratic Progressive Party, Lo Wen-jia, had his first day in office Wednesday. During his first day, he reflected on the November local elections and said that the results reflected the public’s dissatisfaction with the DPP, which, he said, should work to rectify the public’s unhappiness with the party in order to prevent another huge loss for the DPP next year. In order to regain favor from the public, Lo said the party needs to reflect on the specific issues the public sees and work to improve in those areas. <Accessed 2019-01-16> - SEF Reiterates It Has Final Say on Cross-Strait Matters (2019-01-16)
(CNA, By Miao Zong-han and Chung Yu-chen)
In response to a proposal between China’s Fujian Province and Kinmen’s county magistrate regarding cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation reiterated that only it had final say on all cross-Strait agreements and negotiations. SEF spokesperson Kuan An-lu urged not to believe the words of a local authority as any final decision or agreement. The Mainland Affairs Council also issued a statement saying the proposal needed assessment by Taiwan’s central government. <Accessed 2019-01-16> - Scottish Lawmakers Thanked for Support of Tsai’s Opposition (2019-01-16)
(Taipei Times, By Stacy Hsu)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday thanked eight Scottish parliamentarians in the Cross-Party Group who submitted and supported a motion last week expressing their support for Taiwan, in respond to President Xi Jinping’s January 2nd speech about reunification. The motion stated regret for Xi’s words and support for President Tsai Ing-wen’s refusal to accept unification, in addition to calling for more peaceful cross-Strait interactions. Scotland’s Cross-Party Group continues to push to deepen Scotland-Taiwan ties. <Accessed 2019-01-16> - Support of 'One China' Questioned (2019-01-14)
(Taipei Times, By Peng Wan-hsin) US Representative Steve Chabot has urged the new Congress and President Donald Trump's administration to rethink United States' support for the one China policy and to strongly maintain that the Taiwanese government is the legitimate representative of a democratic Taiwan. Chabot further remarked that it is the Taiwanese people that should decide Taiwan's future and not Chinese President Xi Jinping. <Accessed 2019-01-14> - Su Tseng-chang Gets Mayors' Backing (2019-01-14)
(Taipei Times, By Ho Yu-hau and Huang Chien-hao) Mayors in Taiwan's six special municipalities have expressed support to the appointment of Premier-to-be Su Tseng-chang and his team. The mayors praised Su for his rich experience, decisiveness, vision for policymaking, boldness and efficiency. <Accessed 2019-01-14> - U.S. Tells China to Stop Coercion, Resume Dialogue with Taiwan (2019-01-10)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
The American Institute in Taiwan spokesperson Amanda Mansour said Thursday that the U.S. has reiterated its desire that cross-Strait tensions are resolved peacefully and has urged China to stop coercion and resume cross-Strait dialogue. Since Xi Jinping’s speech, other U.S. officials have also expressed similar statements. <Accessed 2019-01-10> - Cabinet Approves Plan to Boost Economy by Spurring Domestic Demand (2019-01-10)
(CNA, By Ku Chuan and Evelyn Kao)
On Thursday, the Cabinet approved an economic growth program proposed by the National Development Council, according to Cabinet spokeswoman Kolas Yotaka. Kolas said that the main factor to boost Taiwan’s economic growth will be boosting domestic demand amid uncertainty regarding trade with the United States and China. In order to boost domestic demand, the government plans to increase people’s disposable income in order to promote domestic investment and consumption. <Accessed 2019-01-10> - Legislature Approves NT$1.998 Trillion Government Budget for 2019 (2019-01-10)
(CNA, By Fan Cheng-hsiang and Christie Chen)
On Thursday, the Legislative Yuan passed the central government’s budget proposal for 2019 of NT$1.998 trillion, which is a 1.19 percent cut from the original estimate. However, the KMT’s proposals to cut budgets for the Central Election Commission, Ill-Gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee, and Transitional Justice Commission did not pass. <Accessed 2019-01-10> - KMT to Establish ‘Exchanges Center” (2019-01-10)
(Taipei Times, By Stacy Hsu)
The KMT announced Wednesday that it intends to establish a new center aimed at promoting exchanges between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party. KMT Mainland Affairs Committee director Chou Jin-shine proposed the idea, which was met with support from local KMT leaders, to promote bilateral cross-Strait city and township exchanges. KMT Chairman Wu Den-yih said he hopes this center can help promote cross-Strait relations based on the original “1992 consensus”. <Accessed 2019-01-10> - Ma Not Ruling Out Presidential Run; Defends ‘Consensus’ (2019-01-12)
(Taipei Times, By Shih Hsiao-kuang and Jonathan Chin)
Former President Ma Ying-jeou said on a radio show on Friday that the Taiwanese public wants him back in the Presidential Office, although he kept quiet about whether or not he would seek a nomination for next year’s presidential election. He urged that Taiwan should return to its previous relationship with China based upon the previously agreed upon “1992 consensus”. He said that he is currently working on developing policy solutions to Taiwanese issues. <Accessed 2019-01-14> - Cabinet Resigns as Premier Lai Says He Has ‘No Regrets’ (2019-01-12)
(Taipei Times, By Sean Lin)
Premier William Lai and his Cabinet resigned en masse on Friday, following the Democratic Progressive Party’s defeat in the November local elections. Lai reflected on his time as Premier and said that he hopes to continue working towards “making Taiwan great” in the future, which he believes he can only do by resigning. Lai also said he has no regrets about his time as Premier, which he believes helped develop the nation, boost the economy, and nourish the nation. <Accessed 2019-01-14> - Su Tseng-chang Takes Up Post as Premier (Update) (2019-01-14)
(CNA, By Wang Cheng-chung, Matt Yu, Ku Chuan and Evelyn Kao)
New Premier Su Tseng-chang and his new Cabinet were sworn in to office on Monday following the resignation of former Premier Lai Ching-te and his Cabinet. During the ceremony, Su acknowledged the contributions Lai made and committed himself and his Cabinet to work on the existing foundation to continue making improvements, focusing on the areas of constitutional reform, political culture, and cross-Strait issues. <Accessed 2019-01-14> - Su Thanks Tsai for Letting Him Assemble Cabinet Quickly (2019-01-14)
(CNA, By Ku Chuan, Matt Yu, and Evelyn Kao)
Premier Su Tseng-chang said at his first Cabinet meeting today that he was appreciative of President Tsai Ing-wen’s trust in him, which allowed him to assemble his Cabinet in only two days. Su said that Tsai entrusted him with full authority to both select the Cabinet lineup and make and promote policy. He said him and his Cabinet will all take responsibility and work towards the policies of the Cabinet. <Accessed 2019-01-14> - Nauru President Voices Support for Taiwan Amid China Threat (2019-01-12)
(CNA, By Lee Hsin-Yin, You Kai-hsiang and Christie Chen) At a press conference during a five-day state visit to Taiwan, Nauru President Baron Divavesi Waqa expressed support for Taiwan and told reporters that he strongly opposes China's "one country, two systems" political formula. Waqa also praised Taiwan as a nation that promotes freedom, democracy and human rights. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - New Premier to Keep Old Economics Team: Senior Political Source (2019-01-12)
(CNA, By Pan Tzu-yu, Hau Hsueh-ching, Ku Chuan and William Yen) According to a senior political source on Friday, Taiwan's newly appointed premier, Su Tseng-chang, will continue to keep the economics and finance team from the former Cabinet. However, Su will be making changes to other ministries and departments the source further added. <Accessed 2019-01-12>
- An American Hotel That Reports to the Chinese State Council (2019-01-12)
(The Diplomat, By Bonnie Girard) The Crowne Plaza in Wilmington, Delaware, United States, is owned by the China Minmentals Corporation, a large corporation directly owned by the Chinese government. While few of the hotel employees are Chinese, Chinese investment in foreign real estate and business is not a new concept. The United States remains a target of state interest for Chinese business. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - Obviously, Beijing Wants to Make US-China Trade Talks Work (2019-01-12)
(The Diplomat, By Charlotte Gao) The conclusion of talks on January 9 between the United States and China, one day later than expected, suggests good signs in trade negotiations. The exact statements released on both sides, however, suggests that Beijing may have every reason to seek a deal with Washington as soon as possible. China must reign in its foreign troubles against a backdrop of increasing domestic tensions. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - After Latest US-China Talks, Where Does the Trade Truce Stand? (2019-01-11)
(The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) Both the United States and China expressed sentiments that the early January trade talks had gone well. However, China indicated that while some progress has been made, not every issue had been adequately addressed. As the end of the 90-day truce on new tariffs approaches, the two sides must better define their idea of "success" in order to mitigate the effects of the trade war. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - How Does China’s Air Force Learn and Adapt to New Circumstances? (2019-01-11)
(The Diplomat, By Robert Farley) China has acquired numerous new aerospace technologies from various foreign countries, and the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has closely studied the United States Air Force. However, the two forces have vastly different objectives and responsibilities. Observers would do well to observe where the PLAAF turns for inspiration next. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - Is This the End of the ‘1992 Consensus’? (2019-01-11)
(The Diplomat, By Gary Sands) While President Xi Jinping called for the peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the Chinese mainland, he implied that military force would still be an option. However, President Tsai Ing-wen responded with her "Four Musts," four demands that must be satisfied before cross-strait negotiations could continue. Some observers are questioning whether this signals an end to the 1992 Consensus, the original agreement that paved the way for past cross-strait talks. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - Taiwan and Southeast Asia Have a ‘People-Centric’ Exchange Problem (2019-01-10)
(The Diplomat, By Nick Aspinwall) Taiwan's New Southbound Policy has led to some criticism from opposition lawmakers, particularly those who think that certain programs under the policy may facilitate the spread of human trafficking and indentured workers into Taiwan. The cases of several missing Vietnamese tourists and students tricked into low-paying jobs are examples of why the Democratic Progressive Party must address some domestic issues before reaching out to regional powers for partnerships. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - How China Might Repel the US Intellectual Property Trade Offensive (2019-01-09)
(The Diplomat, By Robert Farley) The trade disputes between the United States and China extend far beyond just intellectual property issues. The core conflict extends into the realm of strategic competition, and the United States's liberal international order cannot stand the emergence of China as a rising power. The United States must consider the costs of such a conflict against China. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - Questioning the Presumption of a US-China Power Transition (2019-01-08)
(The Diplomat, By Ali Wyne) As China grows into a much more significant global power, Washington has made an effort to depict China in an adversarial light to the global public. However, observers often do not consider the possibility of a fluid coexistence between the two global powers, one with a dependence on the acceptance of tensions, impossibility of cooperation, and inconceivability of confrontation. Other countries with decent relations with both powers may bridge this gap. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - Challenges for the US-China Trade War ‘Truce‘ (2019-01-08)
(The Diplomat, By Dingding Chen and Junyang Hu) Back in December, China and the United States agreed to a 90-day truce in instituting new tariffs in their trade disputes. So far, the truce seems to be working, but many challenges still remain in addressing the issues at hand. Both sides must understand that actions, not cosmetic changes and words, will solve the issues. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - Kim Jong Un Makes Fourth Trip to China, At Xi Jinping’s Invitation (2019-01-08)
(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) Chinese state media has confirmed that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has made his fourth trip to China, reportedly at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. He has visited China three times in the past, and Xi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of their summits in bilateral relations between China and the DPRK. <Accessed 2019-01-12> - The Strategic Consequences of a US-China Rift on Intellectual Property (2019-01-08)
(The Diplomat, By Robert Farley) The intellectual property question regarding China has started to turn towards questioning the effects of allowing China to access global technologies. The question is no longer whether or not China steals technologies, as the Trump administration would paint a picture surrounding. China, therefore, cannot solve its trade issues by improving compliance with IP regulation standards. <Accessed 2019-01-12>
- Taiwan National Security Survey (2002-2019) (2019-01-15)
The Taiwan National Security Surveys (2002 – 2019) were conducted by the Election Study Center of the National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan under the auspice of the Program in Asian Security Studies (PASS) at Duke University. For more detailed information about each of the surveys, please visit the PASS website http://sites.duke.edu/pass/ . <Accessed 2019-01-15>
