MEDIA REACTION: CHINA'S ANTI-SATELLITE MISSILE TEST,

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000212 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: CHINA'S ANTI-SATELLITE MISSILE TEST, TAIWAN'S UN BID ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused their coverage January 27-29 on the debt-ridden Rebar Asia Pacific Group; on possible Blue and Green candidates for the 2008 presidential elections; on President Chen Shui-bian's remarks at the "Transformation in New Democracies" forum last Friday regarding Taiwan's UN bid; and on the death of a young TV actress Sunday following a severe car crash. The pro-unification "United Daily News" ran a banner headline January 27 on page four that said "Bian: Joining the United Nations under the Name of Taiwan Does Not Violate the Four Nos Pledge. The pro-independence "Liberty Times," Taiwan's largest-circulation daily, on the other hand, ran a news story on page four January 29 with the headline "Taiwan Will Communicate with the United States over Its UN Bid under the Name of Taiwan." ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a "Liberty Times" editorial commented on China's recent anti-satellite missile test, saying the move is akin to telling Washington that China already has the ability to counterattack spy satellites and thereby restrain the U.S. military system. An editorial in the limited-circulation, conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post," on the other hand, discussed President Chen's proposal of the island joining the UN under the name of "Taiwan." The article directly pointed out that "the real reason why President Chen is determined to use the name 'Taiwan' in our U.N. bid has to do with domestic pandering to his solid base of support, rather than any realistic hope of making progress with the bid." End summary. ¶3. China's Anti-Satellite Missile Test "Killing Satellites, Killing Taiwan" The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 550,000] editorialized (1/29): "... In fact, China's missile test was to provoke the United States in its face. It is a well-known fact that the United States' over two hundred spy satellites equipped with advanced technology are an indispensable tool for its military superiority in the world, including in the Asia-Pacific region. These satellites are also the reason why China has not dared to engage in a conflict with the United States until now. China's move to launch a missile to destroy its satellite is akin to telling the United States that it already has the ability to counterattack spy satellites and thereby restrain the United States' military system. ... "Of course, it was not the United States and Japan alone that were affected by China's anti-satellite missile test. For Taiwan, already the target of over 900 of China's short and medium-range missiles, the only countries that will come to its aid if it is under China's attack are the United States and Japan. If China takes a pre-emptive move to destroy U.S. and Japanese spy satellites at the same time when it launches a surprise attack against Taiwan, both the United States and Japan will miss the initial opportunity to come to Taiwan's rescue. Such a development will offer China an opportunity to control Taiwan and then force both the United States and Japan to accept the fact that Taiwan is annexed by China. ... "For Taiwan, China's military threats are imminent, and the top priority for the island is to fix its defense inadequacy as early as possible. The fundamental resolution, however, lies in fostering Taiwan to be a normal country. Only when Taiwan becomes a normal country, has its name rectified and a new constitution written, and consequently joins the United Nations, can China's scheme of annexing Taiwan using the excuse of dealing with its internal affairs be totally eliminated. In addition, when Taiwan becomes a normal country, it can work to build a consensus over its national identity and stop the pro-unification force [in Taiwan] from joining hands with China. ..." ¶4. Taiwan's UN Bid "Name Not the Problem for U.N." The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (1/28): "Just when we thought relations with the United States had settled down, President Chen Shui-bian is once again risking Washington's ire by seeking to change the status quo. According to President Chen, who recently spoke at an international conference on burgeoning democracies, using the name 'Taiwan' on our bid to re-join the United Nations, in contrast to the past when we sought re-entry as the Republic of China, has not broken his solemn promise to Washington not to change the national title during his term in office. ... "Obviously, the real reason why President Chen is determined to use the name 'Taiwan' in our U.N. bid has to do with domestic pandering to his solid base of support, rather than any realistic hope of making progress with the bid. ... By dumping the ROC name in favor of 'Taiwan,' President Chen is essentially now applying for admission as a new state, rather than seeking re-entry as an existing state. ... We believe it is highly likely that President Chen's name game has already irritated our friends in Washington, who as a result will surely be loath to offering any more support for U.N. aspirations." YOUNG