Ian Easton On Taiwan: Miracles vs Menace
Ian Easton On Taiwan: Miracles vs MenaceDo you remember where you were last year at this time? President Joe Biden has said in recent weeks that Taiwan is independent, and America will defend Taiwan if China attacks. The legacy of Washington’s troubled Taiwan policy makes it difficult for the US government and military to get ready to defend Taiwan. His volumes on World War One and World War Two repeatedly recount the story of an old man in his twilight, reflecting on his life story. Ian Easton is a senior director at the Project 2049 Institute and author of The Chinese Invasion Threat: Taiwan’s Defense and American Strategy in Asia.
Source:Taipei Times
December 06, 2021 04:12 UTC
Navy mulls construction of eight light patrol ships
Navy mulls construction of eight light patrol shipsBy Wu Su-wei and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe navy is reportedly considering building eight light patrol ships with displacements between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes amid a delay in plans to update the nation’s fleet of guided missile frigates. First are destroyers and patrol vessels led by a captain, followed by patrol ships larger than 1,000 tonnes led by a commander and smaller patrol boats led by a lieutenant commander. However, ships fitting the second category are no longer in commission, requiring 500-tonne Ching Chiang-class patrol boats to assume the duties previously assigned to 1,000-tonne vessels. If it wants to build light patrol ships, they cannot be “super warships” equipped with a full suite of capabilities, he added. After all, modern patrol ships without vertical launch systems to fire anti-aircraft missiles or phased array radar could hardly stave off a saturation attack, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 06, 2021 03:54 UTC
Minister defends policy to keep bayonet drills
Minister defends policy to keep bayonet drillsMARTIAL ART? Chiu said that he agrees with Hsu’s bayonet training policy, adding that the drills build up the mental and physical conditioning of soldiers. Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Chang Yuan-hsun (章元勳) said that bayonet drills are carried out within the time allotted to units for training. A retired general who requested anonymity on Thursday said that public interest in the bayonet policy is evidence that the nation is paying attention to the threat from China. “Bayonet drills are necessary for the individual soldier to wield the weapon effectively to complete their mission,” they said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 05, 2021 04:11 UTC
Oil posts longest run of weekly losses since 2018
Oil posts longest run of weekly losses since 2018BloombergOil slid for a sixth straight week, marking the longest stretch of weekly declines since 2018, as the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 jolts markets and OPEC+ continues to hike supply. West Texas Intermediate for January delivery declined 0.36 percent to US$66.26 a barrel, down 2.77 percent from a week earlier. Brent crude for February delivery rose 0.3 percent to US$69.88 a barrel, posting a weekly decline of 3.9 percent. A maze of crude oil pipes and valves is pictured in Freeport, Texas, on June 9, 2016. Photo: ReutersThe spread of the Omicron variant has investors concerned about any potential damage to demand as the US reported at least six states with cases.
Source:Taipei Times
December 05, 2021 00:53 UTC
Chinese jet incursions reach 159
Chinese jet incursions reach 159MONTHLY DATA: There have been more than 1,000 sorties since the defense ministry began making data public, with October the busiest month with 196 planesAFP, TAIPEIChinese warplanes made 159 incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone last month, Agence France-Presse data showed, the second-highest monthly number on record. Over the past 14 months, the sabre-rattling has reached new peaks after Beijing began sending an increasing number of warplanes into the zone, which Chinese military aircraft had previously largely avoided. In Taipei, the Ministry of National Defense began making the Chinese warplane incursions public in September last year and AFP has built a database collecting details of the flights, which have been increasing in size and frequency. The incursions last month included 100 by fighter jets and nine by China’s nuclear-capable H6 bombers. October remains the busiest month on record with 196 incursions, 149 of which were made over just four days as Beijing marked China’s National Day.
Source:Taipei Times
December 04, 2021 22:13 UTC
Lithuania urges joint action on customs ban
The company said that its Chinese partner cited customs authorities as saying that any merchandise or shipments related to Lithuania would be refused, effective immediately. The foreign ministry said that Lithuanian firms have been facing difficulties shipping their goods to China. The foreign ministry is looking into the issue and has reached out to the governments of other EU members to jointly respond to the issue, it said. China on Nov. 21 downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania, expressing dissatisfaction with the Baltic state after Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Vilnius. The office bears the name “Taiwan” instead of “Taipei,” as is common for the nation’s missions in other European countries.
Source:Taipei Times
December 04, 2021 01:01 UTC
Afghanistan boxing team are stuck in Serbia
Afghanistan boxing team are stuck in SerbiaAFP, BELGRADEBoxing is risky at the best of times, but Hasib Malikzada now faces one of his most unpredictable opponents yet — the uncertainties of life as an Afghan refugee. In the weeks since the tournament, Malikzada and the members of the Afghanistan national boxing team have been bouncing between hotels, while finding the occasional gym for training. The boxing gym provided an environment where violence could be managed — with rounds, weight classes and rules. “We didn’t sleep, but we did a good performance every day,” Afghan Boxing Federation secretary-general Waheedullah Hameedi said. “The honor of every athlete is in his own country.”However, for the boxers in Serbia, life outside of Afghanistan is far from ideal.
Source:Taipei Times
December 04, 2021 00:59 UTC
Regulate, discourage use of betel nuts: advocates
To mark Betel Nut Prevention Day today, the Taiwan Alliance for Areca Nut Control and Oral Cancer Prevention convened a news conference highlighting its dangers and calling for a dedicated law governing the narcotic. Australia, the US and Turkey control betel nut as a drug to different extents, but Taiwan classifies it as a fruit product, alliance vice chair Shu Ching-hsien (舒靜嫻) said. TPP Legislator Tsai Pi-ru (蔡壁如) called for stronger discouragement of the use of betel nut, considering its addictive nature and association with oral cancer. Most betel nut chewers are blue-collar workers who as their families’ main breadwinners, Tsai said. Tsai also raised concerns about betel nut being imported in greater amounts after joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, making the control of the betel nut problem more difficult without regulation.
Source:Taipei Times
December 03, 2021 08:35 UTC
Tsai nurtures ‘solid alliance’ at forum
Tsai nurtures ‘solid alliance’ at forumBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterBuilding a solid alliance against authoritarianism is the common goal of democratic nations worldwide, and Taiwan is willing to share its experience with the world, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday. Tsai made the remarks at the Open Parliament Forum in Taipei, a two-day event that began yesterday. In her opening speech, Tsai said that the participants were all key members of a solid democratic alliance that was expanding worldwide to repel authoritarianism. President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at the Open Parliament Forum in Taipei yesterday. In his speech, US National Democratic Institute president Derek Mitchell recalled visiting Taiwan 33 years ago as a Mandarin student.
Source:Taipei Times
December 03, 2021 03:51 UTC
Tennis stars back ‘bold’ WTA move in China
Tennis stars back ‘bold’ WTA move in ChinaPENG SHUAI: The WTA’s move to suspend its tournaments in China could potentially cost it hundreds of millions of dollars because the country is one of its biggest marketsAFP, WASHINGTONTennis stars threw their support behind the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) move to suspend its tournaments in China over concern for Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai (彭帥), as calls grew yesterday for other sports organizations to take action. WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon reiterated his calls for China to conduct “a full and transparent investigation — without censorship” into Peng’s claim that Zhang “forced” her into sex. Women’s Tennis Association chairman and CEO Steve Simon attends a retirement ceremony for Martina Hingis in Singapore on Oct. 29, 2017. Photo: APThe WTA’s move to suspend its tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, won the immediate backing of some of the biggest names in tennis, among them men’s No. It could potentially cost the WTA hundreds of millions of dollars because China is one of its biggest markets.
Source:Taipei Times
December 03, 2021 00:56 UTC
Pandemic taking toll on people with mental illness
Pandemic taking toll on people with mental illnessBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterPeople with a mental illness and their families face difficult challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eden Social Welfare Foundation said on Wednesday, urging the government not to suspend necessary support services. Local COVID-19 outbreaks in May and a nationwide level 3 COVID-19 alert in effect from the middle of that month led to visiting restrictions at healthcare and long-term care facilities, as well as the suspension of community services and activities. The restrictions have caused many people with mental illness to be separated from their families or caregivers, leading to worsened conditions and causing some family members to feel helpless and isolated as support services were suspended, the foundation said. Eden Fountain House director Liao Fu-yuan (廖福源) said that based on the calls the foundation received from families of people with mental illness, they faced five common challenges. The foundation said as the pandemic can worsen at any time, the government should understand the needs of people with mental illness and their families, and prepare to provide necessary support services should another local outbreak occur.
Source:Taipei Times
December 02, 2021 19:00 UTC
EDITORIAL: Chinese miscalculation a real threat
EDITORIAL: Chinese miscalculation a real threatWhen analyzing Taiwan-China tensions, most people assume that the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) consists of rational actors. These assumptions have underpinned recent analyses — including by Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) — concluding that there is no immediate danger of a Chinese attack against Taiwan. “The Chinese Communist Party leadership increasingly favor bold and decisive action justified on national security grounds. The days of [former Chinese leader] Deng Xiaoping’s [鄧小平] ‘hide your strength, bide your time’ are long over,” he said. The risk of Chinese miscalculation through overconfidence is real.”This should give the government pause.
Source:Taipei Times
December 02, 2021 17:00 UTC
EU unveils ‘Global Gateway’
EU unveils ‘Global Gateway’BloombergThe EU is seeking to mobilize 300 billion euros (US$340 billion) in public and private infrastructure investments by 2027 to offer developing countries an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The EU’s “Global Gateway” project, unveiled yesterday, outlines spending on digital infrastructure, transport, energy and health projects. Photo: AFP“The EU will offer its financing under fair and favorable terms in order to limit the risk of debt distress,” the European Commission said in a statement. “Global Gateway has the potential to turn the EU into a more effective geopolitical player,” German Ambassador to the EU Michael Clauss said. “For many partner countries, the offer of a rules and values-based cooperation at eye level will be an attractive alternative to the Chinese Belt and Road initiative.”
Source:Taipei Times
December 02, 2021 12:06 UTC
Japan, US ‘could not stand by’: Abe
Japan, US ‘could not stand by’: AbeINVASION: Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said: ‘A Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency, and therefore an emergency for the Japan-US alliance’Staff writer, with Reuters and CNAJapan and the US could not stand by if China attacked Taiwan, and Beijing needs to understand this, former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday. Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe speaks via video link to a forum organized by the Institute for National Policy Research in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Peter Lo, Taipei Times“A Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency, and therefore an emergency for the Japan-US alliance. Of course, this is also in the interest of the whole world,” Abe said. British Secret Intelligence Service Chief Richard Moore speaks at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London on Tuesday.
Source:Taipei Times
December 02, 2021 06:06 UTC
US, China in hypersonic weapon ‘arms race’: official
US, China in hypersonic weapon ‘arms race’: officialReuters, WASHINGTONThe US and China are engaged in an arms race to develop the most lethal hypersonic weapons, US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said on Tuesday, as Beijing and Washington build and test an increasing number of the high-speed next-generation arms. “There is an arms race, not necessarily for increased numbers, but for increased quality,” Kendall said in an interview at his Pentagon offices. “It’s an arms race that has been going on for quite some time. Hypersonic weapons travel in the upper atmosphere at more than five times the speed of sound, or about 6,200kph. Arms makers Lockheed Martin Corp, Northrop Grumman Corp and Raytheon Technologies Corp have all touted their hypersonic weapons programs to investors as the world’s focus shifts to the new arms race for an emerging class of weapons.
Source:Taipei Times
December 02, 2021 06:05 UTC