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- Allies Urge Move to Central America (2018-09-21)
(Taipei Times/CNA) In light of the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is making it a top priority to boost Taiwanese investment in Central America. According to the Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs Director-General Phoebe Yeh, the government hopes that Taiwanese companies will consider moving their manufacturing bases to Central America as they could gain better access into the American market and take advantage of the free-trade deals between the U.S. and Central America. <Accessed 2018-09-22> - St. Kitts Marks 35 Years of Alliance and Independence (2018-09-21)
Taipei Times, By Stacy Hsu) Taiwan and Saint Kitts and Nevis celebrated the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the Caribbean nation's 35 years of independence in Taipei recently. Saint Kitts and Nevis has been a strong supporter of Taiwan's global presence and participation in international organizations. Saint Kitts and Nevis Senior Minister Vance Amory said that because his nation values democracy and independence, Saint Kitts and Nevis will not fall into China's dollar diplomacy trap. <Accessed 2018-09-22> - Taiwan Delighted to See Inter-Korean Dialogue Easing Regional Tension (2018-09-21)
(CNA, By Elaine Hou and Elizabeth Hsu) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that Taiwan is happy to see the easing of tension between North Korea and South Korea with the signing of a joint declaration recently. In the joint declaration, both sides pledge to end military confrontation and commit to exchanges and cooperation, while North Korea promises to abandon its nuclear efforts. <Accessed 2018-09-22> - U.S. Will Team Up with Allies to Tackle Cyber Attacks: Bolton (2018-09-21)
(CNA, By Chiang Chin-yeh and Flor Wang) John Bolton, National security adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, announced that the U.S. will work with its allies and Taiwan to address cyber attacks from hostile nations, criminals, and terrorists. Bolton remarked that it is crucial for the U.S. and its allies to establish a strong structure of international alliances to counter cyber attacks. Taiwan has been a victim of cyber attacks from China recently ahead of its November local elections according to Bloomberg News. <Accessed 2018-09-22> - Top Parties' Picks Corrupt, NPP Says (2018-09-21)
(Taipe Times, By Ann Maxon) After reviewing more than 1000 DPP and KMT candidates for the upcoming local elections in November, New Power Party (NPP) found that majority of both parties' candidates have been involved in corruption. While NPP questioned the credibility and qualifications of these candidates, Citizens' Congress Watch executive director Chang Hung-lin suggested that the Central Election Commission should file the corruption records of these candidates and prevent them from boasting about their accolades. <Accessed 2018-09-22> - President Tsai Warns Agains China’s ‘Spreading of Fake News’ (2018-09-20)
(CNA, By Yeh Su-ping and Flor Wang)
While speaking with an Atlantic Council delegation Thursday, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Phillip Breedlove for his dedication to U.S.-Taiwan relations and expressed her hope for Taiwan’s increased participation with the U.S. under the Indo-Pacific strategy. She also reiterated that Taiwan would not yield to Chinese bullying and warned that the international community should be weary of “fake news” spread by China. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Vatican-China Deal Will Not Affect Ties with Taiwan (2018-09-20)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Hsieh said Thursday that Taiwan will not be affected by the possible agreement between the Holy See, Taiwna’s only European diplomatic ally, and China, as it will only address religious affairs. Hsieh said that Taiwan has been assured by the Vatican that the agreement will have no bearing on Taiwan-Vatican diplomatic affairs. However, Taiwan will continue to monitor the talks for developments. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - MAC Warns of Disadvantages of Studying in China (2018-09-20)
(CNA, By Chai Sze-chia and Flor Wang)
Amid growing numbers of Taiwanese students going to study in China, the Mainland Affairs Council has become concerned about the possible political barrier and the declining enrollment rate in Taiwanese universities. MAC Deputy Minister Chen Ming-chi said Thursday that the MAC is taking steps to educate Taiwanese students on the disadvantages of studying in China by posting information on their website. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Frank Hsieh Says He Will Not Resign (2018-09-20)
(Taipei Times, with CNA)
In the wake of heavy criticism of Taiwan’s Osaka office’s post-typhoon response and the consequent suicide of Su Chii-cherng, Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh has come under fire, with many demands that he steps down. He has since said that he will not resign and instead chooses to address misconceptions about the Osaka office’s response and Su’s suicide. He pointed to Chinese netizens as a source of false information following the typhoon. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Residency Cards Pose Threat to Sovereignty: Kuan (2018-09-19)
(Taipei Times, By Chiu Yan-ling and Johnathan Chin) In light of China's recent policy to issue Chinese residency cards to Taiwanese, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Kuan Bi-ling warned that the Chinese residency status would make Taiwan appear to be subordinate to China. Kuan further stated that Taiwanese lawmakers and officials are considering taking steps to denaturalize Taiwanese registering for the cards and it is imperative that Taiwan adopts strict measures to prevent Chinese infiltration. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Polls Could Signal Changing Sentiment for Unification (2018-09-19)
(Taipei Times, By Shelley Shan) In a recent poll conducted by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation, less than 50 percent of respondents supported an independent Taiwan while the percentage of respondents favoring pro-unification is higher than those who preferred maintaining the "status quo". According to political commentator Chan Hsi-kui, the results from the poll demonstrate that Taiwanese are dissatisfied with the way President Tsai Ing-wen has been handling the cross-strait relations. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Diplomatic Issues Not Addressed in China-Vatican Agreement: Report (2018-09-19)
(CNA, By Huang Ya-shih and Elizabeth Hsu) An American Jesuit journal revealed that issues on diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican will not be addressed in the China-Vatican agreement. According to the report, the agreement mainly addresses the issue of the nomination of bishops, with both parties having a say over the selection of candidates, but with the Pope making the final decision in the appointment of bishops for the Catholic Church in China. However, the Communist-owned Global Times newspaper reported that the appointment of bishops must receive Beijing's approval and mandated by the Pope. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - President Vows to Strengthen Security Networks (2018-09-19)
(CNA, By Huang Li-yun and Evelyn Kao) Speaking at an international police cooperation forum, President Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan will take the lead to work with other nations to strengthen cross-border security networks. Although curbing transnational telecommunications fraud poses challenges, Tsai stated that fighting fraud is one of the government's top priorities. This could be seen in the government's efforts to fight fraud, such as strengthening international collaboration and signing agreements to combat human trafficking, increase police cooperation, and prevent money laundering. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Palau Women's Forum Attended for First Time by Cabinet Spokeswoman (2018-09-19)
(CNA, By Ku Chuan and Evelyn Kao) During her speech for the opening ceremony of the annual Mechesil Belau Conference in Palau, Cabinet spokeswoman Kolas Yotaka thanked Palau for supporting Taiwan regardless of China's mounting pressure. Kolas also urged Pacific island nations to work together to defend themselves against powerful forces. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - DPP's Approval Rating Has Hit 'Rock Bottom' (2018-09-19)
(Taipei Times, By Sean Lin) In a recent survey reported by the Taiwan Competitiveness Forum, respondents were dissatisfied with the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) performance. Among some of the crucial issues that respondents were upset with were the rising cost of living, the poor handling of cross-strait issues by the DPP, and the nation's current environmental condition that has gotten worse. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Lawmakers Weigh in on Fake News, Diplomat Suicide (2018-09-19)
(Taipei Times, By Sean Lin) Taiwanese lawmakers are considering to make amendments to the National Security Act amid the recent suicide incident of Su Chii-cherng, director-general of the Osaka branch of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. Su committed suicide due to the criticism he received over his office's incompetence to provide emergency assistance to Taiwanese in the aftermath of Typhoon Jebi. Executive Yuan deputy spokesman Ting Yun-kung said that fake news from overseas could potentially jeopardize national security and must therefore be taken seriously. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Taiwan, Nicaragua to Simplify Document Procedures: MOFA (2018-09-19)
(CNA, By Ku Chuan and William Yen) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that Taiwan and Nicaragua have signed an agreement that will remove the requirement to re-verify public documents between Taiwan and Nicaragua. The agreement aims to make exchanges between citizens in both nations more convenient and less costly as the procedures to legalize documents would be simplified. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Tsai’s Approval Rating Drops to 31.2% (2018-09-18)
(Taipei Times, By Shelley Shan)
Recent events such as President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to flood victims in Chiayi and the severing of diplomatic ties with El Salvador have negatively impacted President Tsai’s approval rating, indicated a recent poll by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation. The poll included questions about Tsai’s character, resulting in the most negative responses regarding her character and her ability to work with other major political parties. In addition, the poll collected domestic opinions on cross-Strait related issues. <Accessed 2018-09-19> - Allies Asked to Speak for Taiwan at U.N. General Assembly: MOFA (2018-09-18)
(CNA, By Elaine Hou and Ko Lin)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that Taiwan’s government has asked its allies to speak on Taiwan’s hope of joining U.N. events at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly, in addition to asking their permanent representatives to the U.N. to appeal to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the issue. Taiwan has sent representatives to New York to have its voice heard, despite its exclusion from the U.N. <Accessed 2018-09-19> - RSF Urges U.N. to Grant Access to Taiwanese Reporters (2018-09-18)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
In response to the exclusion of Taiwanese reporters from the United Nations General Assembly, Reporters Without Borders urged the U.N. to accredit Taiwanese journalists despite China’s pressure. Christophe Deloire, the secretary-general of RSF, said that denying Taiwanese reporters the right to cover the General Assembly was in violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. <Accessed 2018-09-19> - Taiwan Calls for EU Support Amid China’s Intensified Suppression (2018-09-18)
(CNA, By Lu Hsin-hui and Ko Lin)
President Tsai Ing-wen met with a visiting European Parliament delegation Tuesday. She thanked them for their support of Taiwan and reiterated Taiwan’s willingness to work towards regional stability, in addition to asking for support from democratic allies amid more intense pressure from China. <Accessed 2018-09-19> - President Marks Central American Independence Day (2018-09-17)
(CNA, By Ku Chuan and Flor Wang) Speaking at a banquet to celebrate the 197th anniversary of Central American Independence Day, President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her thanks and support to Taiwan's Central American allies for backing Taiwan internationally. The president also called for allies sharing Taiwan's values for democracy and freedom to partner with Taiwan in facing China's aggression. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - Pacific Islands Leadership Program Kicks Off Taiwan Leg (2018-09-17)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) During the opening ceremony for the annual Pacific Islands Leadership Program (PILP), Vice Foreign Minister Jose Maria Liu said that in this year's PILP program, participants would be able to have exchanges with Taiwanese scholars, officials, business people, and non-governmental organizations. The program, which was initiated in 2013, aims to provide people from the Pacific region with leadership training and networking opportunities to strengthen relations between the Pacific, Asia, and the U.S.<Accessed 2018-09-18> - Taiwan Rebuts Chinese Allegations of Espionage as Fake News (2018-09-17)
(CNA, By Lu Hsin-hui and Shih Hsiu-chuan) In a response over recent accusations from China that Taiwan's intelligent agency has been found to recruit Chinese students studying in Taiwan to act as spies for Taiwan, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang criticized China for trying to use the misinformation to hurt cross-strait relations. Huang further remarked that China should use youth exchange programs between the two nations as a tool to help both sides understand each other better. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - Taiwan to Raise Global Status with EU Support: Legislative Speaker (2018-09-17)
(CNA, By Wang Cheng-chung and William Yen) In light of the recent report on the EU-China relations, which the European Parliament (EP) urged EU member states to ask China to put an end to its military provocation toward Taiwan, Taiwan's Legislative Yuan Speaker Su Jia-chyuan stated that he is confident Taiwan will be able to expand its international presence and participation in international organizations. In the report, the EP reaffirms its support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and proposes the use of international law to resolve all cross-strait disputes peacefully. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - All Donations Made to El Salvador Were Legal: MOFA (2018-09-17)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) El Salvadorian prosecutors have recently alleged that the US$10 million donation by Taiwan was used in a partisan campaign under then-President Mauricio Funes. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) refuted the accusation and stated that the donations were made in accordance with the laws and where the funding went was recorded in detail. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - South Africa a Lesson for KMT: Researcher (2018-09-17)
(Taipei Times, By Chen Yu-fu and Sherry Hsiao) During a discussion hosted by the Taiwan New Century Foundation to commemorate International Day of Democracy, Transitional Justice Commission researcher Tseng Chien-yuan asked the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) to draw lessons from South Africa by participating in transitional justice. Meanwhile, Korean Studies Academy chief executive officer Rick Chu proposed that the Taiwanese government legislates an act for freedom of speech and prohibits speech that praises the Chinese Communist Party. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - Prolonged U.S.-China Trade War Could Hurt Taiwan: Think Tank (2018-09-17)
(CNA, By Pan Tzi-yu and Ko Lin) According to one of Taiwan's leading economic think tanks, Yuanta-Polaris, the trade war between the U.S. and China could very likely hurt Taiwan. In its recent report, the economic think tank reported that Taiwan's machine tool and electronic component industries are most likely to be affected by the trade war. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - Ministry Mulls Renovating Dock for Missile Boats (2018-09-17)
(Taipei Times, By Aaron Tu and Johnathan Chin) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense is contemplating at length to renovate a military dock at Tamsui River that would allow missile boats to be stationed there in the event the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) attacks the northern part of Taiwan with Zubr-class hovercraft. The Ministry is proposing a budget of US$1 billion to build the missile boats. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - Vatican-China Agreement Will Hopefully Open Up Religious Freedom: Lee (2018-09-17)
(CNA, By Huang Ya-shi and Ko Lin) According to Matthew S.M. Lee, the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ambassador to the Holy See, the landmark agreement between the Vatican and China, while aiming to bring the unauthorized and state-backed Chinese Catholic communities together, is solely based on religion. However, Lee did not give any comments on whether the agreement would affect diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Vatican. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - US Official Urges More High-Level Visits (2018-09-16)
(Taipei Times, with CNA)
U.S. Representative Chris Smith sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying that the U.S. should build on the positive progress made by President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the U.S. last month by fully implementing the Taiwan Travel Act, which would result in an increase of exchanges of high-level officials between the U.S. and Taiwan. He also called for the U.S.’s support of Taiwan in its efforts to participate more on the international stage, namely in the United Nations and other international organizations. <Accessed 2018-09-16> - President Calls for End to Fake News (2018-09-16)
(CNA, By Lu Hsin-hui and Shih Hsiu-chuan)
President Tsai Ing-wen on Sunday urged the public not to disseminate news on the Internet that seems false while addressing DPP rallies in Tainan and Kaohsiung. She pointed to China as the perpetrator of spreading fake news on the Internet, saying that Taiwan’s freedom and democracy makes it an easy target for the spread of misinformation. <Accessed 2018-09-16> - Taiwan Officials to Attend Events in New York During U.N. Assembly (2018-09-16)
(CNA, By Joseph Yeh)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release Sunday that Environmental Protection Administration Deputy Minister Thomas Chan and Minister without Portfolio Audrey Tang will fly to New York during the U.N. General Assembly, which will open on September 18, to lobby for Taiwan’s inclusion in U.N. events. They are planning to speak on Taiwan’s success with the Sustainable Development Goals. Four NPP legislators are also planning on visiting New York to rally U.S. Congress support for Taiwan’s participation in U.N. related events. <Accessed 2018-09-16> - Vatican-China ‘Purely About Religious Affairs’ (2018-09-14)
(Taipei Times, with CNA)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is closely monitoring developments regarding the dialogue between the Vatican and Beijing, who are reportedly discussing the appointment of bishops in China. The Holy See assured Taipei that the talks were not diplomacy related, but strictly of a religious manner. <Accessed 2018-09-14> - Japan Offices to Revamp Procedures (2018-09-14)
(Taipei Times, By Stacy Hsu)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu said Wednesday that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan will review its emergency response mechanism following criticism of its response to Taiwanese victims of Typhoon Jebi. Wu said that Typhoon Jebi was a wake up call showing that the office’s emergency response mechanisms and communication between government agencies need improvement. <Accessed 2018-09-14> - Security to Remain the Same at New AIT Location: U.S. Government (2018-09-14)
(CNA, By Chiang Chin-yeh and Elizabeth Hsu)
The U.S. State Department said Thursday that despite reports that the U.S. was deploying U.S. Marines to the new American Institute in Taiwan building, CNN reported Thursday that the request had been rejected due to resource constraint issues. The State Department released a statement saying the security measures would remain the same as the current AIT location and that it would not discuss specific security matters. <Accessed 2018-09-14>
- Declare End to Korean War, South’s Leader Urges U.S. (2018-09-20)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun) President Moon Jae-in said that Kim Jong-un, the North’s leader, saw a formal end to the conflict as an important step toward denuclearization. <RSS, Accessed 2018-09-20> - China’s Sea Control Is a Done Deal, ‘Short of War With the U.S.’ (2018-09-20)
(New York Times, By Hannah Beech) A U.S. military flight over the South China Sea brings harsh Chinese challenges in officially international space. Officers say a new era of risk is here. <RSS, Accessed 2018-09-20> - North Korea’s New Nuclear Promises Fall Short of U.S. Demands (2018-09-19)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun and David E. Sanger) Kim Jong-un agreed to “permanently dismantle” key facilities in a bid to ease tensions with South Korea, but his offers stop short of denuclearization. <RSS, Accessed 2018-09-20> - With a Submarine, Japan Sends a Message in the South China Sea (2018-09-18)
(New York Times, By Motoko Rich and Makiko Inoue) A Japanese submarine participated in war games in the crucial waters and is now visiting Vietnam, signaling a more assertive pushback against China. <RSS, Accessed 2018-09-20> - Kim Jong-un Will Visit South Korea, Leaders Announce (2018-09-18)
(New York Times, By Choe Sang-Hun) The promised trip would be the first ever by a North Korean leader. Mr. Kim also promised to dismantle missile facilities in the presence of outside inspectors. <RSS, Accessed 2018-09-20> - China Accuses Taiwan of Using Students for Espionage (2018-09-17)
(New York Times, By Sui-Lee Wee and Chris Horton) “Taiwan calls on China to rein itself in from this precipice as quickly as it can,” the island’s government responded, accusing Beijing of hypocrisy. <RSS, Accessed 2018-09-20> - Russia-China Military Cooperation ‘Could Worry Europe’ (2018-09-14)
(South China Morning Post, By Kristin Huang) Russia’s military exercises with China this week, though focused on countering the United States, could raise security concerns among European nations, which are now watching to see how Beijing and Moscow might challenge other world powers, military experts have said. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - EU and China Need Closer Ties Urgently to Offset Trade Disruption, Says Bloc’s New Ambassador in Beijing (2018-09-14)
(South China Morning Post, By Catherine Wong) The European Union and China must urgently strengthen relations to “alleviate the disruption” to the global economy, the EU’s new top envoy to China has said, as Beijing’s trade war with the US continues. Nicolas Chapuis, the new EU ambassador to China, also called for progress in discussions between China and the EU about reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), ongoing negotiation of a China-EU investment treaty and an agreement on protecting the intellectual property of European and Chinese products. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - China and California Rise above US Trade War for Action on Climate Change (2018-09-14)
(South China Morning Post, By Li Jing) China and California are seeking to push past the trade war to shore up their joint front in the fight against climate change, with a three-day summit in San Francisco this week. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Taiwan Officials in New York on United Nations Charm Offensive (2018-09-17)
(South China Morning Post, By Lawrence Chung) Taiwan is launching a fresh charm offensive in its bid to rejoin the United Nations, or at least its agencies, amid sour China-US relations and growing concerns over Chinese economic and military expansion in the Indo-Pacific region. Two of the self-ruled island’s cabinet officials – Environmental Protection Administration deputy minister Thomas Chan and State Minister Audrey Tang – have flown to New York to promote Taiwan’s achievement of the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), even though the island is not a UN member. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Senior Vatican Officials Tell Taiwan 'Not to Over-Interpret' Deal with Mainland on Bishop Appointments (2018-09-19)
(South China Morning Post, By Nectar Gan) Taiwan has received assurances from the Holy See that a potential deal with mainland China over the appointment of bishops would not have “political or diplomatic connotations” for the self-ruled island, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - China On Board with Japan, United States and South Korea on North’s Denuclearisation, US State Department Says (2018-09-19)
(South China Morning Post, By Zhenhua Lu) China is on board with the United States, South Korea and Japan on North Korean denuclearisation, the US State Department said on Tuesday, despite US President Donald Trump accusing China of holding back the process. “South Korea, China and Japan all stressed the common objective of denuclearisation and the path forward on achieving that objective,” Heather Nauert, a State Department spokeswoman, said at a press briefing about US special representative Stephen Biegun’s trip to Asia last week. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Foreign Warships in South China Sea ‘Causing Trouble’, Beijing’s Ambassador to Britain Says (2018-09-20)
(South China Morning Post, By Catherine Wong) Big countries from outside the region are abusing their freedom of navigation rights and causing trouble in the South China Sea, Beijing’s ambassador to Britain said, in a clear jab at Western nations’ recent operations in the disputed waterway. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - European Union Has a Plan for Asian Infrastructure But Will It Collide with China’s Belt and Road? (2018-09-20)
(South China Morning Post, By Keegan Elmer) The European Union has put forward its own infrastructure and investment plan for Asia with emphasis on sustainability and rules-based investment – aspects which China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” has been accused of lacking. The EU’s investment in Asia could increase up to fourfold in its next budget, strengthening its presence in the region, which is in need of 1.3 trillion euros (US$1.5 trillion) for infrastructure investment a year, according to EU officials. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - US Slaps Sanctions on Chinese Military Unit for Buying Russian Jets, Missiles (2018-09-21)
(South China Morning Post, By James Wilkinson) The US government has slapped punitive sanctions on a key unit of the Chinese military for buying Russian fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles. Washington said that the purchases by the Equipment Development Department (EDD) of China’s Ministry of Defence violated US sanctions on Russia. Both the EDD and its director, Li Shangfu, have been named in the sanctions. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Xi Reasserts Control Over PRC Politics As Trade War Deepens (2018-09-19)
(Jamestown Foundation, By Willy Wo-Lap Lam) Since returning to Beijing on August 16 after two weeks of informal meetings at the seaside Beidaihe resort, however, Xi has restored enough authority to reassert his ultra-conservative line on socialist-style economic policy, imposing ideological conformity within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and challenging America’s position as the pre-eminent world leader. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - Duterte’s China Policy Isn’t Paying Off (2018-09-18)
(East Asia Forum, By Renato Cruz De Castro) These developments will hopefully make President Duterte reflect on whether it is prudent for his country to pursue an appeasement policy on an emergent power that appears willing to pursue an expansionist policy in the South China Sea at all costs. <Accessed 2018-09-20> - What’s with the Recent Tension in US-China Relations? (2018-09-18)
(IPP Review, By John F. Copper) In the past few months, US-China relations have sunk to a state somewhere between frosty and hostile. This marks a major change since President Trump visited China in November 2017. There are several reasons for this, one of which is not often noted. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - Maritime Security Cooperation in the South China Sea: Sailing In Different Directions (2018-09-17)
(The Diplomat, By Mark J. Valencia) The Southeast Asian claimants of the South China Sea, China, and the United States each have a different approach to addressing what sort of security threat faces the region as well as how to address said threat. Several practical issues exist among the group, too -- many of them lack trust within one another and have different scales of involvement with the issue. While building trust is the logical first step, it may still be too far a step for some countries to immediately take. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - Vostok 2018: Russia and China’s Diverging Common Interests (2018-09-17)
(The Diplomat, By Zi Yang) This year's Russian Vostok exercises are the largest they've been since 1981, a clear signal that Russia is building up its eastern flank in light of deteriorating relations with the West. China also sent several troops to participate in some of the joint exercises, showing greater China-Russia cooperation in military efforts due to their shared concerns. However, this media image of a unified Russia and China works in their advantage, because they want to put on a show of unity, despite the fact that the two powers have their differences. <Accessed 2018-09-18> - Taiwan Can Help the UN Achieve Its Goals (2018-09-14)
(The Diplomat, By Jaushieh Joseph Wu) Taiwan's population has been left out of the global effort to move the world towards a sustainable path for the future, as described in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. However, despite its exclusion from the United Nations, Taiwan has still contributed to these global efforts and matches the benchmarks set by the SDGs and contributes greatly to development aid. The United Nations should open its doors to Taiwan to recognize Taiwan's contributions and commit to its promise to include all the world's people. <Accessed 2018-09-17> - Is Europe Finally Pushing Back On Chinese Investments? (2018-09-14)
(The Diplomat, By Erik Brattberg and Etienne Soula) Chinese foreign direct investment in Europe is now about nine times greater than in the United States, largely due to the Trump administration's hostility towards China and China's desire to tighten capital controls. However, as several European countries move to restrict Chinese investments, Europe must coordinate among themselves -- and with United States and Japanese involvement -- a policy towards China. Simply reacting to Chinese efforts is not enough to trigger change in Chinese policies. <Accessed 2018-09-17> - When Will Closer China-Russia Cooperation Impact US Policy Debate? (2018-09-14)
(The Diplomat, By Robert Sutter) Possibly the most significant development missing from the internal U.S. discussion on its Russia policy is the growing ties between China and Russia over the past year. The improving relationship is largely in part due to a more hostile outlook towards both countries from the United States. U.S. policymakers must understand what is at stake with their improving relationship and understand the histories of both countries to better address their relationship and how it affects U.S. security interests. <Accessed 2018-09-17> - The Damage Is Done: Trump and the Asia-Pacific (2018-09-14)
(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) The Asia-Pacific is the greatest example of the Trump administration's failure to maintain U.S. partnerships and alliances, especially those with Japan and South Korea. The President does not actively damage Asia, but he has shown a clear disinterest with the region and does not focus his greatest efforts towards the increasingly crucial sphere. Trump's future challengers will have to address the United States' allies who have been pushed away and will have to handle the United Sttates' global decline in activity. <Accessed 2018-09-17> - Chinese Navy Participates in Major Australian Exercise for First Time (2018-09-14)
(The Diplomat, By Steven Stashwick) The Kakadu military exercises just took place off the coast of Darwin, Australia, and this year's exercises marked the first time the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy participated alongside Australia. China's participation follows the United States disinviting China from this year's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercises. Australia and China have a complex security relationship -- while Australia claims to support Freedom of Navigation Operations in the disputed South China Sea territories, both sides claim that they have a beneficial security relationship built on trust. <Accessed 2018-09-17> - The EU’s New China Resolution: Principled But Not Strategic (2018-09-13)
(The Diplomat, By Tim Rühlig) The European Parliament's new China Resolution is much less optimistic than the 2015 iteration and takes a much more critical point of view on China. This is a welcome step, but it should be accompanied with an idea of how to promote liberal ideas and thoughts at a time when Europe should be cooperating more closely with China. China's core values and those of the EU stand in direct contradiction at times, so cooperation will only be possible if these ideals are considered in any policy enacted. <Accessed 2018-09-17> - What Does Taiwan Think of the US Factor in Cross-Strait Relations? (2018-09-13)
(The Diplomat, By Shi-huei Yang) Taiwan-U.S. relations have shown significant improvement since the start of 2018. Public opinion between 2016 and 2018 reflected the improved relationship, especially following the call with President Tsai Ing-wen and then-President-Elect Donald Trump, but it has fallen again in light of continued Chinese suppression of Taiwan's presence in the international arena. As the Taiwanese people feel a greater sense of insecurity, this may damage the economic relationship between Taiwan and the United States. <Accessed 2018-09-17> - Why Is the Chinese Public So Hostile Toward Development Assistance? (2018-09-13)
(The Diplomat, By Zhang Chao) While the leaders of African nations at the Forum for China-African Cooperation responded positively to China's commitment for $60 billion in development aid for Africa, the Chinese public reacted quite poorly. Many critics believe China should be spending its money on assisting those in need at home before spending money on developing foreign nations. The Chinese people are expressing their disappointment with China's domestic situation by critiquing its interests in foreign development aid. <Accessed 2018-09-17>
