MEDIA REACTION: PENTAGON'S REPORT ON CHINESE MILITARY

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001199 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - LLOYD NEIGHBORS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PENTAGON'S REPORT ON CHINESE MILITARY POWER, U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS, INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused May 31 news coverage on the year-end legislative elections and the 2008 presidential elections; on a visiting U.S. West Point cadet who was allegedly involved in non-consensual sex; on the plunge of China's stock prices Wednesday following an attempt by its authorities to rein in the nation's booming stock markets with a higher trading tax; on former President Lee Teng-hui's plan to visit the Yasukuni shrine in Japan; and on an alleged corruption scandal regarding the Argo satellite project of the National Space Organization. ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" discussed the Pentagon's recent report on Chinese military power and pointed out the "underlying danger that Taiwanese are beginning to take for granted, or perhaps accept, news of China's suppression." A separate "Taipei Times" op-ed suggested that the United States agree to Taiwan's request for a free trade agreement, saying "it would be a good move for both the US and Taiwan, and may help revive the TRA, which hasn't been adhered to." An editorial in the limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" discussed the recent railway link between South and North Korea and said such a development is "definitely a signal of major positive significance for relations between North and South Korea." End summary. ¶3. Pentagon's Report on Chinese Military Power "Chinese Aggression Is a Big Deal" The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (5/31): "... A recent Pentagon report, Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2007, said that China has more than 900 short range ballistic missiles deployed along its coast aimed at Taiwan, and that number is increasing by more than 100 a year. ... Because of Taiwan's polarized political environment, warnings by government officials concerning China's military build-up appear to fall on deaf ears. ... The government's rhetoric is indeed the same old tune, but the implied attitude points to an underlying danger that Taiwanese are beginning to take for granted, or perhaps accept, news of China's suppression -- such as its ability to keep Taiwan out of international organizations. ... Taiwan can blame its allies all it wants for letting it down with the WHA vote and condemn the international community for its lack of justice and for kowtowing to China. But when it comes down to it, what is Taiwan doing to get the help it needs to face down China? Can Taiwan draw world attention when so many Taiwanese themselves seem not to view China's missiles and aggression as a big deal?" ¶4. U.S.-Taiwan Relations "The Help of a Free-Trade Agreement" Nat Bellocchi, former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan and now a special adviser to the Liberty Times Group, opined in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] (5/31): "For the next 10 months, the US and China will be following Taiwanese politics closely. ... At the same time, Taiwan and China will be watching how the US pursues its geopolitical interests in relation to both of them. ... With its many interests worldwide, the US relationship with Taiwan may remain relatively unchanged, despite the developments in Taiwan and China. The US continues to pressure Taiwan to strengthen its military security, but at the same time, ironically, it encourages Taiwan to invest more in the Chinese economy. ... "One of the problems in the US-Taiwan relationship has been a lack of dialogue. Doing this inevitably upsets China, especially if senior officials are open involved. As Taiwan has had problems keeping diplomatic information secret, the US-Taiwan relationship is a sensitive one that needs a different kind of dialogue. China's efforts to coerce countries and international organizations to block Taiwanese participation in the international community have intensified, undermining Taiwanese relations. The damage this coercion is doing to Taiwan is rarely talked about. It is clear that US commitment to averting coercion as suggested by the TRA has wavered. There is something the US could do to help Taiwan, however, which China might find difficult to suppress: It is for the US to agree to Taiwan's request for a free-trade agreement. It would be a good move for both the US and Taiwan, and may help revive the TRA, which hasn't been adhered to." ¶5. Inter-Korean Relations "Lessons for Taiwan from Korea Links" POWER, U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS, INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation: 20,000] editorialized (5/31): "... The successful 26-kilometer trips across the forbidding border dividing South and North Korea may be the precursor to a more substantive linkage of the railway systems in the peninsula through China and the Russia Federation with the Trans Siberian Railway at Khabarovsk. Such a linkage would allow South Korea, which is effectively an 'island' on the lower half of the Korean peninsula, to gain direct land access to the Eurasian and European continent and add a new option to the existing sea and air transportation routes and also significantly enhance South Korea's international strategic position. Therefore, even though the newly established link covered a total distance of 'only' 53 kilometers, the opening of this short route across the Demilitarized Zone is definitely a signal of major positive significance for relations between North and South Korea. ... "The DPP and its presidential nominee, former Premier Frank Hsieh, must understand the necessity of taking prompt corrective action and adopt a China policy which dumps the false mirage of 'separating politics from economics' and puts consolidation of our democracy and autonomy at the core of an economic and social development strategy in order to regain the initiative in the cross-strait struggle and upgrade our international competitiveness." YOUNG