Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Sunday 29 December 2013

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2013-12-29 | NO.17(51) epaper |
Abe Visits Yasukuni
Japan's Abe Visits Yasukuni Shrine (2013-12-26)
(Wall Street Journal, By George Nishiyama) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited a controversial Tokyo shrine seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country's past militarism, in a move certain to further aggravate its strained ties with South Korea and China.
Abe Visit to Controversial Japanese Shrine Draws Rare U.S. Criticism (2013-12-26)
(Wall Street Journal, By George Nishiyama) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's surprise visit to a shrine linked to Japan's militarist past threatens to damage ties with the U.S. and jeopardize a pillar of the White House's diplomatic and military pivot to Asia.

With Shrine Visit, Leader Asserts Japan's Track from Pacifism (2013-12-27)
(New York Times, By Hiroko Tabuchi) In Mr. Abe’s mind, the country’s newfound economic prowess is a means to an end: to build a more powerful, assertive Japan, complete with a full-fledged military, as well as pride in its World War II-era past.
Taiwan Expresses Its ‘Regret’ at Japan PM's Yasukuni Visit: MOFA (2013-12-27)
(China Post) Taiwan expressed “regret” over the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to a controversial shrine honoring Japanese soldiers who perished in World War II, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Shinzo Abe's Yasukuni Offense (2013-12-27)
(Wall Street Journal) Japan's offenses against truth become strategic liabilities when they hurt the ability of like-minded states to promote a peaceful, liberal regional order.
Risky Nationalism in Japan (2013-12-27)
(Editorial, New York Times) The United States needs to make it clear that Mr. Abe’s agenda is not in the region’s interest. Surely what is needed in Asia is trust among states, and his actions undermine that trust.

In Textbook Fight, Japan Leader Seeks to Recast History (2013-12-29)
(New York Times, By Martin Fackler) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s conservative government has begun to pursue a more openly nationalist agenda on an issue that critics fear will push the country farther from its postwar pacifism: adding a more patriotic tone to Japan’s school textbooks.
DPP Caucus Whip Calls for the Party to Freeze Independence Charter
Ker Tells DPP to Freeze Its Charter on Independence (2013-12-27)
(Taipei Times) DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming proposed freezing the party’s so-called “Taiwan independence charter” to boost its chance of returning to power. 

DPP, China at Odds on Whip's Proposal (2013-12-28)
(Taipei Times) Beijing said Ker Chien-ming’s proposal to suspend the party’s so-called ‘independence clause’ was a positive sign, while the DPP said it was a non-issue.

KMT Urges DPP's ‘Independence’ Clarity (2013-12-29)
(Taipei Times) The KMT urged DPP leaders to make clear their positions on the proposed suspension of the party’s so-called “Taiwan independence clause.”
Cross-Strait Issues
Taiwan in the Shadow of a Rising China (2013-12-07)
(ROCAIR, By John Mearsheimer) In the face of a grim future, Taiwan basically has three options. First, it can develop its own nuclear deterrent; second, it can build up conventional deterrent; third, Taiwan can pursue what I will call the "Hong Kong strategy." (Speech Transcript)

Ma Seeks Meet with Xi at APEC Beijing Summit
 (2013-12-26)
(China Post) President Ma Ying-jeou said recently that he would like to meet Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping at the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing.

KMT Defends Ma Meeting China's Xi (2013-12-27)
(Taipei Times) KMT defended the possibility of President Ma Ying-jeou meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at next year’s APEC meeting in Beijing, insisting that such a meeting would only be held if supported by Taiwanese and if national dignity can be maintained.
President Ma Ying-jeou's Interview with Asia Weekly (2013-12-25)
(The Presidential Office) In his interview (in Chinese) with the Hong Kong-based Asia Weekly, President Ma Ying-jeou touched upon issues related to cross-strait relations, Diaoyutais disputes, U.S.-Taiwan relations, and Taiwan's economic situation.

Beijing Officials Call for Exchange of Media Offices with Taiwan (2013-12-23)
(CNA) The establishment of reciprocal media offices in Taiwan and China will contribute to peaceful development between the two sides and should be done as soon as possible, a Beijing official said. 

Agreement on Cross-Strait Goods Pact to Arrive Mid 2014 (2013-12-24)
(China Post) Minister of Economic Affairs Chang Chia-juch announced that he intends to see the completion of negotiations on an upcoming cross-strait goods trade pact with China by the middle of next year.

Ma Expects End to Cross-Strait Deadlock (2013-12-26)
(Taipei Times) President Ma Ying-jeou said that plans for the first official meeting between the heads of the MAC and the TAO next year was a positive development for cross-strait relations and could see the two sides break a negotiations deadlock. 
Military Balance and Arms Sales
Military Denies That UAV Program Is a Waste of Money (2013-12-23)
(Taipei Times) The military denied a media report that said locally produced unmanned aerial vehicles failed to meet combat requirements and that the military had decided to suspend the program. 

Taiwan Acquires Submarine-Launched Anti-Ship Missiles (2013-12-27)
(The Diplomat, By Zachary Keck) The United States began delivering submarine-launched anti-ship missiles to Taiwan this year, according to a new report released by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.

Missiles Help Deter Chinese: US Expert (2013-12-29)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) The submarine-launched harpoon missiles now being added to Taiwan’s military arsenal add a “new and important level of risk for a Chinese invasion force,” IASC's Rick Fisher said.

Why China Won't Attack Taiwan (2013-12-25)
(The Diplomat, By Zachary Keck) Although the trend lines are undoubtedly working in China’s favor, it is ultimately extremely unlikely that China will try to seize Taiwan by force. Furthermore, should it try to do this, it is unlikely to succeed.
Taiwan's Foreign Relations
Nation Seeking to Sign Investment Pact with UK (2013-12-24)
(CNA) Taiwan is seeking to sign a bilateral investment agreement with the United Kingdom as part of its efforts to strengthen trade relations between the two countries, Taiwan's representative to the UK said. 

Relations with Diplomatic Allies All Normal: MOFA (2013-12-24)
(CNA) Relations with all of the Republic of China's diplomatic allies are normal, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Ko said.

Legislature Ratifies Trade Agreement with Singapore (2013-12-28)
(Taipei Times) The legislature yesterday ratified the Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP).
Regional Issues
Asia's Year of Escalating Tensions (2013-12-26)
(Wall Street Journal, By Michael Auslin) From any perspective, 2013 was a wasted year in East Asia. New leaders in China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea failed to solve any of their foreign-relations problems and now face greater tension in 2014. 

Taiwan, Japan Fishing Talks Set to Continue in Tokyo (2013-12-26)
(Taipei Times) A second meeting of a Taiwan-Japan fisheries commission is to be held in Tokyo to address issues related to the regulation of fishing operations in the nations’ overlapping waters in the East China Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. 
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