Follow the Debate - China & Taiwan Jan to March 2011
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China Daily 30/3/2011
Changing Taiwan Communities: Losheng Sanctuary - VIDEO
Fifty five years ago Wang Wenzheng was moved from his home in the south of Taipei to Losheng Leper Sanctuary and was told he could not leave. As times changed so the sanctuary became his home, which is now under threat of demolition.
Asia Times Online 30/3/2011
Prison no barrier to Taiwan's Chen
By Jens Kastner
Although he's serving an 18-year prison sentence for corruption, Taiwan's ex-president Chen Shui-bian is exerting influence on his Democratic Progressive Party's next presidential selection, as well as on politics in general. While Chen has skillfully exploited legal loopholes to posture from behind his prison walls, the chances of this translating into an eventual pardon appear slim.
Asia Times Online 29/3/2011
Cold comfort for anti-nuclear Taiwanese
By Jou Ying-cheng
TAIPEI - Amid the shockwaves of Japan's ongoing post-quake nuclear crisis, nuclear energy seems to be emerging as a contentious issue for next year's presidential election in Taiwan, as opposition leader last week declared her intention to abandon nuclear power if elected.
Taiwan, sitting at West Pacific Rim earthquake zone like Japan, has three operational power plants and is building the fourth.
Asia Times Online 23/3/2011
Taiwan's Tsai ends the waiting
By Jens Kastner
Letting everyone wait to the last minute for news on her ambition to become Taiwan's 24th president in 2012 elections was a textbook strategy for opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen. But given the expectations heaped on the Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman, keeping coy cannot exactly have been child's play for the formidable Tsai. Nor was getting the right press.
The Wall Street Journal 9/3/2011
To Avoid War, Stop Taiwan Arms Sales?
The argument over U.S. weapon sales to Taiwan has long been a raucous affair, but recently it took a particularly heated pitch with the publication of the essay “Will China’s Rise Lead to War?” in the March/April edition of Foreign Affairs.
The article by Charles Glaser, a professor of political science and international relations at George Washington University, argues that given the risks surrounding the United States’ support for Taiwan, the U.S. should consider backing away from its commitments to the island, a self-governing territory that Beijing claims as part of China ...
Foreign Affairs Journal
Will China's Rise Lead to War?
Why Realism Does Not Mean Pessimism
By Charles Glaser
Realist international relations theorists usually would predict that the basic pressures of the international system will force the United States and China into conflict. But properly understood, realism offers grounds for optimism in this case, so long as Washington can avoid exaggerating the risks posed by China's growing power.
CHARLES GLASER is Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Institute for Security and Conflict Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. This essay draws on his recent book Rational Theory of International Politics.
See Kaixin's - Where to now America? & Follow the Debate: CHINA & TAIWAN
Asia Times Online 8/3/2011
Taiwan opens hi-tech to mainland investors
By Jens Kastner
Taiwan, which for decades carefully ring-fenced the high-end technology manufacturers that are at the core of the island's economic success, has thrown aside cross-strait suspicion and opened the high-tech sector to mainland Chinese investors.
China Daily 7/3/2011
China oppses US arms sales to Taiwan: FM
BEIJING - Beijing firmly oppose Washington's arms sales to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Monday.
"We urge the United States to strictly abide by the principles and spirits of the three Sino-US joint communiques and the China-US Joint Statement," Yang told reporters, calling on the US to stop arms sales to Taiwan.
The US should "take concrete actions to support the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations", he said, noting that it is important in upholding overall interests of China-US relations.
Yang said there is now "good atmosphere" in China-US relations, but it is "an objective reality that China and the United States have some differences or even frictions over some issues."
"What is important is to properly handle these differences on the basis of mutual respect," he said.
The Wall Street Journal 5/3/2011
The Commercial that Made Taiwan Cry
It’s the video that brought throngs of Taiwanese viewers to tears in just three minutes. In one month, it’s been viewed more than a million times on YouTube.
The video? A commercial for TC Bank that tells the story of five elderly men, averaging age 83, who decide to go on a 13-day motorcycle ride through Taiwan. The hook? It’s based on a real story.
Kaixin OpEd - Yes, Kaixin also ...
It has a powerful message.
The Wall Street Journal 3/3/2011
Taiwan Opens More Sectors to Chinese Investors
TAIPEI—Taiwan's government will open an additional 42 sectors to Chinese investors, including the strategically important panel and chip industries, as cross-strait economic ties continue to deepen, the island's Ministry of Economic Affairs said Wednesday.
CCTV Mainland chief negotiator visits Taiwan VIDEO
Chen Yunlin, President of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, has arrived in Taiwan to start his six-day tour on the island. Chen is leading a mainland business delegation to explore expanding business cooperation with Taiwan.
It is the first time for Chen will lead a business delegation to Taiwan. The 50 member group is to investigate the investment environment and business opportunities on the island to help mainland companies enter the island's market and promote industrial cooperation.
They are scheduled to visit four major industrial cities on the island and meet business people there. They also visited a cross-strait business forum in Taiwan. Taiwan opened its market to mainland investors last June after both sides singed the ECFA agreement, a free trade deal between mainland and Taiwan.
But figures show investment from mainland is still disappointing. Mainland investors urge Taiwan to ease restrictions exist to reserve the trickling trend.
CCTV Tele interview: Chen Yunlin's schedule to Taiwan VIDEO
For more on Chen Yunlin's (Chen Yunlin 陈云林is the current chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), the body responsible for negotiations with Taiwan in the People's Republic of China) visit to Taiwan, we're joined on the line by Lu Yuhan, a journalist in Taipei. Hello, Lu Yuhan. Thanks for joining us.
Q1: What's Chen Yunlin's schedule for the visit, and what arrangements are being made by Taiwan for him?
Q2: What is the Taiwan public's reaction to his trip and what are their expectations of the visit?
CCTV Tele interview: Significance of Chen Yunlin's visit CCTV
For more on Chen Yunlin's visit to Taiwan, we're joined on the line by Joanna Lei, who is the managing director of Azul Management . Hello. Thanks for joining us.
Q: What's the significance of Chen Yunlin's visit and how will it affect the cross-strait economic relationship?
CCTV Cross-Straits body meets on business cooperation VIDEO
A business delegation from the Chinese mainland is visiting Taiwan to attend the first meeting of cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Committee which opened Tuesday in Taiwan's Taoyuan County.
A spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council told a press conference in Beijing that during the meeting, six working groups will be established. Yang Yi said ARATS president Chen Yunlin will also pay a six-day visit to Taiwan to learn about the island's agricultural sector.
CCTV9 Dialogue - 30 minute Current Affairs Programme
Taiwan & China - From revolution to reunification
The Wall Street Journal 10/2/2011
Taiwan Says General Spied for China
TAIPEI—Taiwan's Defense Ministry said it arrested a military general on suspicion of spying for China in the most high-profile cross-Strait espionage case in decades.
Taiwan government officials and some experts said the case highlights a determined effort by China to infiltrate the island's military despite warming economic and political ties between the two sides.
Global Times 10/2/2011
Taiwan ups ante on spying
Last month's detention of a Taiwanese major general over accusations of spying for the mainland is unlikely to stoke tensions amid warming cross- Straits relations, analysts said Wednesday.
Lo Hsien-che, 51, the head of communications and electronic information at Taiwan's army command headquarters, was detained January 27 over charges of releasing top military information to the mainland for nine years, T a i w a n ' s NOW News reported, citing local military personnel, at a press conference Tuesday.
However, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council told the Global Times Wednesday that it was unaware of the case and declined to comment.
Asia Times Online 10/2/2011
SUN WUKONG
Taiwan's Ma strides across the strait
By Wu Zhong, China Editor
In a sign that Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou is betting his political future on advancing the island's relations with mainland China in the run-up to elections next year, he has ordered officials to stop referring to the side across the strait as "China". While the one-country emphasis may please Beijing, the ballot box will be the test of whether Ma is in step with the people.
China Daily 9/2/2011
Business and tourism bridge Taiwan Straits
XIAMEN - Red jumbu, a tropical fruit from Taiwan, sells for about 100 yuan ($US 14.9) per kg at a supermarket in Xiamen, a mainland city located right across the Taiwan Straits.
And sales are good during China's traditional Spring Festival.
"The sales of all fruits imported from Taiwan has increased by at least 50 percent compared with normal days," said Wu Yanping, salesperson for Taiwan fruit supplier Demei, which is based in southeast China's Fujian Province. Other popular fruits from Taiwan include dragon fruit, star fruit, sugar apples, oranges and grapefruits.
When visiting family members and friends during the Spring Festival, many Chinese would bring a basket of fruits as gifts. "Taiwan fruits have established a reputation for good quality, so our customers regard them as decent gifts that would earn them 'faces'," Wu said.
"Because of the high price, Taiwan fruits may not be an everyday choice, but on special occasions like festivals, customers would like to pay. I am confident of good business this year," she said.
An artist from Sichuan province performs “fire spraying” at a fair in Taipei on Sunday.
CCTV 9/2/2011
CCTV Mainland visitors travel in Taiwan during Spring Festival VIDEO
During the Spring Festival, Mainland visitors can be seen at almost every hot tourist spot in Taiwan. And the enthusiasm for Taiwan travel hasn't declined in the year since cross-Strait tour packages became available.
The Taipei Palace Museum is a place most Mainland visitors would choose to go. In the past, among the museum's 5,000 visitors per day, Mainland visitors made up only about one third. But during this Spring Festival, almost all the visitors are come from the Chinese Mainland.
"Our whole family came here for Spring Festival. The festive atmosphere is great, similarly to our hometown. I love it so much." Visitor said.
"I think staying in Taiwan for the festival makes no difference from staying at home." Visitor said.
Although the price for a flight and hotel are high during the Spring Festival, the enthusiasm for coming to Taiwan is unchanged. Last year, about 40 thousand Mainland visitors travelled to Taiwan. But this year, the total is expected to be more.
The Wall Street Journal 31/1/2011
Billionaire’s Cash Giveaway: Greater China Reactions
Agree or disagree with Chen Guangbiao’s method of street donations or his motives for giving money to Taiwan’s poor, one thing is for sure, the Chinese recycling tycoon has stirred a lively and at times thoughtful debate on both sides of the Taiwan Strait about charitable giving.
A Chinese tycoon coming to Taiwan to give away money the way Chen has is provocative enough, but the message on Chen’s red envelopes (“When the sky is cold and the ground freezes the people still feel warm, the Chinese people are one family, like a torch in the winter”) could easily be read as a call for unification between China and Taiwan, which has de facto independence.
Follow link for some of the reaction Chen’s trip has elicited from politicians, the media and others:
The Wall Street Journal 28/1/2011
Fitch Lowers Taiwan's Local-Currency Rating
TAIPEI—Fitch Ratings Ltd. lowered Taiwan's local-currency credit rating by one notch to AA-minus from AA on Wednesday due to the island's high public debt and lagging fiscal revenue growth.
The rating agency is keeping Taiwan's foreign-currency credit rating at A-plus because of the favorable global economic outlook and Taiwan's status as a strong external creditor with sovereign net foreign assets of 91% of its gross domestic product in 2010.
Asia Times Online 21/1/2011
Stealth fighter sneaks up on Taiwan
By Jens Kastner 
China's recently unveiled J-20 stealth fighter will change the cross-strait military balance with its ability to penetrate Taiwan's airspace and to threaten American aircraft-carrier groups. But the island's intelligence agencies gave no warning of this game-changing development, and its military has been ominously silent on how to deal with it.
China Daily 20/1/2011
Chinese united by cultural ties - Taiwan
GUILIN, Guangxi - Beijing's top Taiwan affairs official has called on both sides of the Straits to jointly promote traditional Chinese culture in the latest effort to boost ties, which have become characterized by booming economic cooperation.
Wang Yi, minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Tuesday the mainland and Taiwan should seize the opportunity to set up a systematic mechanism for cultural and educational exchanges.
"It is time to strengthen the heartfelt link between people on both sides by enhancing cultural exchanges after previously achieving direct links in trade, mail and transport services," he said at the opening ceremony of the 9th Seminar on Cross-Straits Relations.
The New York Times 19/1/2011
Taiwan Stages Missile Tests on Eve of U.S.-China Meeting
BEIJING — On the eve of a summit meeting between the presidents of China and the United States, Taiwan tested 19 missiles on Tuesday with mixed results.
China Daily 13/1/2011
Mainland, Taiwan see growing peace in 2010
BEIJING - Last year witnessed growing momentum in the peaceful development of ties between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, a mainland Taiwan affairs spokesperson said Wednesday.
Fan Liqing, spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference in Beijing, that the mainland and Taiwan authorities had advanced mutual understanding and maintained sound interaction during 2010.
The Wall Street Journal 12/1/2011
China Snubs U.S. Defense Pitch
Gates's Visit Is Off to Shaky Start; Gen. Liang Rules Out Ties as Long as Taiwan Arms Sales Continue
BEIJING—China rebuffed a U.S. proposal for a clear timetable of strategic defense talks on the first day of a long-delayed visit to Beijing by Robert Gates, the U.S. defense secretary, and indicated that Taiwan remains the single biggest obstacle to improving the world's most important bilateral relationship.
The Wall Street Journal 11/1/2011
China Takes Hard Line With U.S. on Taiwan
BEIJING—China rebuffed a U.S. proposal for a clear timetable of strategic defense talks on the first day of a long-delayed visit to Beijing by Robert Gates, the U.S. defense secretary, and indicated that Taiwan remains the single biggest obstacle to improving the world's most important bilateral relationship.
China Daily 11/1/2011
Sino-US militaries seek to 'reduce miscalculation'
BEIJING - China and the United States on Monday agreed to jointly reduce the risk of "miscalculation" between the two powerful armed forces, as they restore military ties frayed by a massive US arms deal to Taiwan a year ago.
See Kaixins - Where to now America?
China Daily 10/1/2011
China opposes US arms sales to Taiwan
BEIJING - Opposing United States arms sales to Taiwan has always been China's policy, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie told reporters in Beijing Monday.US arms sales to Taiwan, an inalienable part of China, "have jeopardized China's core interests," Liang said when responding to a question concerning possible harm to bilateral military relations future US weapon sales to Taiwan would cause.
Liang made the remarks at a joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
"We do not want to see such things happening again. We do not want US weapon sales to Taiwan to further damage the relationship between China and the United States and the two nations' armed forces," Liang added.
In January 2010, the Pentagon decided to sell approximately $6.4 billion of arms to Taiwan. That caused the suspension of some bilateral military exchange programs and the postponing of Gates's planned China trip.
VIDEO - US think tank member says "China-US military relations lag far behind"
A rising power versus a dominant power - what characterizes the military relations between China and the United States? A US think tank member says they "lag far behind the rest of the relationship".
Kenneth Liberthal is a noted expert on China and the director of the John L. Thornton China Center of Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. He talks with China Daily correspondent Tan Yingzi in an exclusive interview about the US Defense Secretary Robert Gates' ongoing trip in China.
Asia Times Online 8/1/2011
Taiwanese politics take strange turn
By Jens Kastner
These are strange days in Taiwan. During a visit by a top mainland diplomat, the island's Beijing-friendly government paid for a provocatively nationalistic newspaper ad. Meanwhile, the ostensibly pro-independence opposition told its supporters not to stir up trouble during the visit. It seems that 2011 will offer surprising twists
Asia Times Online 4/1/2011
Taiwan’s surveillance role for US in doubt
By Jens Kastner
As a world leader in information technology, Taiwan has long played a valuable role for Washington by supplying surveillance and signals intelligence on mainland China. But some analysts think the island’s more Beijing-friendly stance under President Ma Ying-jeou may cause it to be stingier with such information.
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