Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Monday 29 September 2014

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2014-09-29 | NO.18(38) epaper |
South China Sea Disputes
Philippines Concerned about China, Leader Says (2014-09-24)
(New York Times, By Rick Gladstone) The president of the Philippines expressed concern about what he called the “hot to cold” messages from China in the protracted territorial disputes with his country — and others in the region — over areas of the South China Sea. 
Diaoyutai Disputes Resurface; Japan Policy
China-Japan Relations Ease Back from Brink (2014-09-25)
(Wall Street Journal, By Toko Sekiguchi and Chun Han Wong) China and Japan have eased back from the brink, quietly in recent weeks and more openly this week, with representatives of the two nations holding talks on maritime security and business relations.

In U.N. Talk, Japan Leader Makes Pitch to Neighbors
 (2014-09-26)
(New York Times, By Rick Gladstone) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan used a visit to the United Nations to denounce “war culture” and express a desire to improve relations with Japan’s neighbors, in particular China and South Korea, 
U.S. “Pivot” to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement
Obama Presses Chinese on Global Warming (2014-09-24)
(New York Times, By Mark Landler and Coral Davenport) President Obama challenged China to make the same effort to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions and join a worldwide campaign to curb global warming. 
DPP Searches for New China Stance; Cross-Strait Issues
Xi Speaks to Taiwan on ‘One China, Two Systems’ (2014-09-27)
(CNA) Chinese President Xi Jinping brushed off an old formula to define how China intends to deal with “the Taiwan issue” and reiterated that Beijing would have no tolerance for Taiwan independence.
Officials Reject Xi Jinping's ‘Solution’ (2014-09-27)
(Taipei Times) The government cannot accept the so-called “one country, two systems” arrangement described by Chinese President Xi Jinping as Beijing’s solution to solving the “Taiwan problem,” Premier Jiang Yi-huah said.

President Remains Optimistic on Xi Meeting at APEC
 (2014-09-24)
(Taipei Times) President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated his hopes of meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at this year’s APEC leadership summit as he tried to dismiss Beijing’s concerns that his presence could jeopardize its “one China” principle.
On a Ma Ying-jeou-Xi Jinping Meeting (2014-09-24)
(Brookings, By Richard C. Bush III) If Beijing were willing to signal to people in Taiwan that it is seriously willing to take on the issue of the ROC, even symbolically, the best way to do so would be to agree to a Xi-Ma meeting in Beijing on the edges of APEC, which is what Taiwan has sought all along.
Taiwan Weighs Banning Government Staff from Using Xiaomi Phones (2014-09-24)
(Wall Street Journal, By Jenny W. Hsu) Taiwan is debating whether to prohibit government officials from using phones produced by Xiaomi Inc., China's biggest smartphone maker, in the wake of burgeoning concerns over the protection of users' privacy by Chinese tech firms.

Defense Ministry Opposes Chinese Ships' Berthing
 (2014-09-22)
(Taipei Times) The ministry said two Chinese ships on their way to Taiwan are capable of collecting data about the nation’s waters and ships using Taichung Harbor.
DPP Pledge ‘Consistent, Responsible’ China Ties (2014-09-24)
(CNA) DPP, long known for its wariness toward Beijing, will seek to be “consistent, responsible and predicable” when engaging with China, chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen told foreign diplomats at a reception in Taipei. 
Military Balance and Arms Sales
China Military Hackers Attack Gov't Websites Daily: Minister (2014-09-28)
(China Post) The Chinese military has an “army” of hackers attacking Taiwan's government websites daily, with the Mainland Affairs Council and the Ministry of Economic Affairs being targeted most, a Cabinet minister has revealed.
US Study Praises Taiwan's Spywork (2014-09-24)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) A new study by the Project 2049 Institute quotes unnamed sources as saying that Taiwan’s spying operations against China “are the most effective in the world.”
Taiwan, Asia's Secret Air Power (2014-09-25)
(The Diplomat, By Ian Easton) A look at what Taiwan is doing to ensure its air defense and why it matters for the United States and the region.
Nation Going Solo on Submarines' Overhaul: Legislator (2014-09-23)
(Taipei Times) Taiwan has not requested assistance from the US to overhaul its two aging US-built GUPPY-class submarines and is to carry out the project on its own, KMT Legislator Lin Yu-fang said. 
Taiwan's Foreign Relations
TSR Interview with Bonnie Glaser (2014-09-25)
(Taiwan Security Research, By Kristian McGuire) Taiwan Security Research's Kristian McGuire speaks with Bonnie Glaser about Taiwan's participation in the international community, President Ma Ying-jeou's bid to meet President Xi Jinping at November's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, and more in this TSR exclusive interview.

Official Denies ‘No Pork, No Talk’ Rumor
 (2014-09-23)
(Taipei Times) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed concern that a ban on imports of US pork containing the feed additive ractopamine was a major trade irritant that could affect the US’ position on Taiwan’s membership in the nascent TPP.

US Legislators Urge New Taiwan Policy Review (2014-09-27)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) Twenty-nine members of the US Congress have called on US Secretary of State John Kerry to launch a major new Taiwan policy review.
Forum Examines US-Taiwan Policy Evolution (2014-09-27)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) Cross-strait relations have the potential to deteriorate quickly into a situation that might entail “dire consequences,” former director of Asian affairs at the US National Security Council Robert Suettinger told a Washington conference.
China's Rise and Its Domestic Issues
Hong Kong Students Boycott Classes in Democracy Fight (2014-09-23)
(New York Times, By Chris Buckley and Alan Wong) Thousands of Hong Kong university students abandoned classes to rally against Chinese government limits on voting rights, a bellwether demonstration of the city’s appetite for turning smoldering discontent into street-level opposition.

Hong Kong Protesters Take Inspiration from Paris to Taipei
 (2014-09-23)
(Sinosphere, By Michael Forsythe) Like their Taiwanese counterparts, fear of the increasing influence of Beijing drives the Occupy Central movement, which is pushing for public nominations for candidates for Hong Kong’s highest office.

Chinese President Sends Signal against Political Change in Hong Kong (2014-09-24)
(New York Times, By Michael Forsythe and Alan Wong) President Xi Jinping of China has used a meeting with some of Hong Kong’s leading industrialists to reinforce Beijing’s unyielding position against political change in the former British colony.
A Turning Point in the Fight for Hong Kong (2014-09-28)
(Foreign Policy, By Rachel Lu) Given Beijing's intransigent stance, Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters are unlikely to get what they want. However, the real battle, still very much ongoing, is for Hong Kong's people's hearts and minds.
Q. and A.: Jorg Wuttke on the Future of China's Economy (2014-09-22)
(New York Times, By Didi Kirsten Tatlow) In an interview, Mr. Wuttke said that nothing short of a “domestic W.T.O.” — World Trade Organization-like agreements to end protectionist barriers against foreign companies and between many provinces — will ignite a new growth spurt and avoid the stagnation that has mired many middle-income economies.
China Ponders Slow-Growth Dilemma (2014-09-25)
(Wall Street Journal, By Lingling Wei) Mr. Zhou Xiaochuan is seen by many officials and economists as willing to hold the line against short-term growth to put in place financial reforms. So his fate is seen by some as a measure of the leadership's commitment to reform.
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