Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Monday 28 September 2015

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2015-09-28 | NO.19(39) epaper |
South China Sea Disputes
Why Chinese Nationalism Could Impact the East and South China Seas VERY Differently (2015-09-24)
(The National Interest, By Allen R. Carlson) Chinese nationalism is not a singular entity. The way it is framed with reference to China’s Asian neighbors varies significantly. Within such variations lie important, but largely overlooked, implications for the how Beijing is handling its maritime disputes, and by extension for the degree of volatility within such conflicts.
Q. and A.: Jessica Chen Weiss on Nationalism in Chinese Politics (2015-09-24)
(Sinosphere, By Edward Wong) In an interview, Professor Jessica Chen Weiss of Cornell University discussed Mr. Xi’s brand of nationalism and how that has played out in China. 
U.S. “Pivot” to Asia and Sino-U.S. Engagement
Xi Jinping of China Arriving in U.S. at Moment of Vulnerability (2015-09-22)
(New York Times, By Chris Buckley and Jane Perlez) Mr. Xi is to arrive in the United States facing economic headwinds and growing doubts about his formula for governing, yet he has shown no sign of retreating on an array of disputes that have bedeviled the Obama administration.
Despite Slump, China's Xi Jinping Pledges Economic Reforms (2015-09-22)
(Wall Street Journal, Charles Hutzler) Chinese President Xi Jinping defended his government’s economic stewardship and said that China’s slowing growth and market fluctuations won’t deter needed reforms.
Full Transcript: Interview with Chinese President Xi Jinping (2015-09-22)
(Wall Street Journal) Ahead of his first official state visit to the U.S., Chinese President Xi Jinping provided written answers to questions submitted by The Wall Street Journal. Here is the full transcript.
Conflict Flavors Obama's Meeting with Chinese Leader (2015-09-23)
(New York Times, By David E. Sanger and Julie Hirschfeld Davis) This week’s meeting between President Obama and Mr. Xi is fraught with points of conflict, and its unspoken subtext is whether the president will confront the Chinese directly, deliberately causing friction in the relationship in hopes of drawing some lines around their behavior, or celebrate an unexpected partnership on issues like climate change and Iran, handling contentious issues in private.

White House Sends Tough Message Ahead of Xi Talks
 (2015-09-24)
(Taipei Times) U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice hosted US non-governmental organizations who face tough new Chinese security laws, a high-profile statement of concern as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the US.

Pentagon Says Chinese Pilot Flew Too Close to U.S. Spy Plane
 (2015-09-24)
(New York Times, Helene Cooper) A Chinese fighter jet performed an unsafe maneuver last week while close to a United States spy plane, Defense Department officials said. It is the second time in just over a year that the Pentagon has accused Chinese pilots of inflaming tensions.

US Official Seek to Reassure Taiwan (2015-09-24)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) US officials are reassuring Taiwan that no matter what Chinese President Xi Jinping says about it during his summit with US President Barack Obama this week, Washington will not change its current policies.
Xi's Attempt to Ease US Relations (2015-09-24)
(Taipei Times, By Andrew Hammond) What is clear is that Xi’s ambition reflects an assessment that China’s rising power needs to be underpinned by better international understanding and appreciation of the nation.
U.S., China Announce Steps on Climate Change, $3.1 Billion Contribution (2015-09-25)
(Wall Street Journal, By Colleen Mccain Nelson and William Mauldin) The U.S. and China announced significant steps in their efforts to combat climate change, including a pledge by China to launch a program by 2017 to cap some emissions and put a price on carbon and to contribute $3.1 billion to help poorer countries finance their own transition programs.
U.S., China Make Progress toward Trade and Investment Deal (2015-09-25)
(Wall Street Journal, By William Mauldin and Mark Magnier) The U.S. and China made progress this week toward what could someday be a far-ranging trade and investment agreement that would open up closed sectors of China’s economy, U.S. officials said.
Obama and Xi Jinping of China Agree to Steps on Cybertheft (2015-09-26)
(New York Times, By Julie Hirschfeld Davis and David E. Sanger) At their news conference, both Mr. Obama and Mr. Xi made an effort to demonstrate that they had made progress on curbing cyberattacks, even as they skirted direct references to some of the most contentious issues.
US, China Agree to Establish Military Hotline, Rules for Air-to-Aire Encounters (2015-09-27)
(Reuters) The US announced agreements with China on a military hotline and rules of behavior to govern air-to-air encounters, just days after the Pentagon criticized China over an unsafe intercept of a US reconnaissance aircraft.
Fact Sheet: President Xi Jinping's State Visit to the United States (2015-09-25)
(The White House) President Obama and President Xi agreed to work together to constructively manage our differences and decided to expand and deepen cooperation in the following areas.
Xi Jinping's Inner Circle Offers Cold Shoulder to West Officials (2015-09-26)
(New York Times, By Edward Wong) The refusal of Mr. Xi’s inner circle to develop ties with Western officials is consistent with a fundamental belief that has become widespread in the system here — namely that Western ideas and influences will undermine the Communist Party and lead to a “color revolution.”
Obama ‘Supports’ Taiwan in Xi Talks (2015-09-27)
(Taipei Times, By William Lowther) US President Barack Obama reportedly declared his “strong commitment” to the Three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act during his White House summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
MOFA Happy with Obama's Stance (2015-09-27)
(Taipei Times) US President Barack Obama’s mention of the Taiwan Relations Act during a joint news conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Taiwan’s security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Aftermath Key to Sino-US Summit (2015-09-23)
(Project Syndicate, By Minxin Pei) What really matters is whether, after the summit, China takes concrete actions that reflect a genuine shift from the policies that have fueled the deterioration in bilateral ties.
How Washington and China Can Manage Sustainable Strategic Competition with China (2015-09-22)
(The Diplomat, By Robert Daly) Sustainable strategic competition legitimizes both nations’ efforts to maximize their interests within the framework of international law. But it also requires that neither seek final victory, as the pursuit of that goal would have catastrophic results.
Time for Realism in U.S.-China Relations (2015-09-23)
(The National Interest, By Michael Auslin) The point of the new realism is not to force a conflict with China. It is to avoid one. Only steady strength, a firm response, and a willingness to speak the truth will show Xi Jinping and his fellow leaders that America is no better friend and no worse adversary.
DPP Searches for New China Stance; Cross-Strait Issues
US Against Unilateral Shift of Cross-Strait Status Quo (2015-09-23)
(CNA) The fundamental interest of the United States is in peaceful and stable cross-Taiwan Strait relations, and Washington is against either side changing the status quo unilaterally, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice said.
Tsai Reaffirms Intention to Maintain Nation's Status Quo (2015-09-26)
(CNA) Tsai made the comments a day after Zhang Zhijun, chief of the Taiwan Affairs Office under China's State Council, again demanded that she clarify her position on Taiwan's relations with China.
The Return of the Taiwan Issue to U.S.-China Relations (2015-09-21)
(Brookings, By Richard C. Bush III) President Xi Jinping is likely to make Taiwan a major issue at his summit with President Obama. Xi’s message to Obama is likely to be: “You Americans don’t realize the danger that the DPP and its presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen pose. You need to do your part to contain what will become a bad situation.”
High-Level Dialogue Is Needed for Cross-Strait Understanding: Scholar (2015-09-27)
(CNA) Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the US has reflected the need for Taiwan and China to initiate a high-level dialogue to clear doubts between the two sides, Chao Chun-shan, head of the Taipei-based Foundation on Asia-Pacific Peace Studies, said.

Cap on Chinese Tourists to Rise Today
 (2015-09-21)
(Taipei Times) The cap on the number of Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan via the Free Independent Travel program is to be raised from 4,000 to 5,000 per day from today.
Gov't Blasts China's New Travel Permit Rollout (2015-09-22)
(China Post) Taiwan's government criticized China's issuance of the "Taibaozheng" mainland travel permit, stating that they are only valid for travel identification while urging authorities to answer suspicions over the card's capabilities.
Taiwan Given Assurances Over China's New Travel Card (2015-09-23)
(CNA) Mainland China has given a "positive response" to Taiwan's concerns over a new electronic card issued to Taiwanese visitors, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said.

Taiwan Banks' Exposure to China Fall (2015-09-22)
(CNA) Lending extended by Taiwan's banks to China as of the end of June trended lower as the efforts made by the government to tighten its monitoring of local lenders' exposure to the mainland paid off, according to the central bank.
Next Round of Talks on Cross-Strait Goods Treaty to Commence on Sept. 28 (2015-09-26)
(China Post) The 11th round of negotiations on the cross-strait trade-in-goods agreement will take place next Monday and Tuesday in Beijing, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs announced.
Military Balance and Arms Sales
Taiwan Seeks Military Alliance Beyond US Ties (2015-09-21)
(Taipei Times) The nation’s military is attempting to establish ‘actual’ alliances with neighbors in an effort to ensure Taiwan is active in maintaining regional stability. 
Taiwan's Domestic Issues and Foreign Relations
Central Bank Surprises with Rate Cut (2015-09-25)
(Taipei Times) The central bank yesterday cut its policy rates by 12.5 basis points, citing concerns over the widening output gap, in an attempt to stimulate economic growth while maintaining stability in consumer prices and the financial markets.

Tsai Debuts Plan to Bolster India, ASEAN Relations
 (2015-09-23)
(CNA) DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen announced a “new southward policy” to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian countries and India.

TIFA Talks to Take Place on Oct. 1 in Taipei: Minister (2015-09-24)
(Taipei Times) The latest round of talks between Taiwan and the US under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement is scheduled for early next month, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin said.
Deputy US Trade Representative Due to Visit to Attend TIFA Talks (2015-09-26)
(CNA) Deputy United States Trade Representative Robert Holleyman will lead an interagency delegation to Taiwan next week to attend talks under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, said the American Institute in Taiwan.
Pork Not on Table for TIFA Talks with US on Thursday (2015-09-27)
(Taipei Times) Taiwan will not address the issue of US pork imports during the upcoming Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, Minister of Economic Affairs John Deng said.
Contact: Dalton Lin, Executive Editor
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