MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA NAVAL SHIPS CONFRONTATION,

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000306 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA NAVAL SHIPS CONFRONTATION, U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused March 19 news coverage on a meeting between President Ma Ying-jeou and AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt and a press conference hosted by the latter Wednesday; on cross-Strait relations; and on the ongoing investigation into former President Chen Shui-bian and his family's legal cases. All major Chinese-language and English-language dailies in Taiwan reported on Burghardt's meetings with Ma and with the media representatives. The pro-unification "United Daily News" front-paged a banner headline reading "AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt Urges Chinese Communist Party to Remove Missiles." The pro-independence "Liberty Times" ran a banner headline on page two reading "Burghardt: China Must Remove Missiles Targeting Taiwan No Matter How Many They Are," while its English-language sister newspaper, "Taipei Times" front-paged a news story with the headline "U.S. Comfortable with Detente: AIT." ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a column in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" discussed the recent navy ships confrontation between the United States and China in the South China Sea. The article speculated on the behind-the-scene factor concerning the role of the United States in the navy ships' conflict in the South China Sea, saying it may be a trap set up by the United States, which intentionally lured China into it. An op-ed in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times," written by a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, discussed the cross-Strait situation and said "[B]oth sides and Beijing in particular may need to engage in Strategic Reassurance Measures (SRMs)" in order to resolve the lack of mutual trust between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. End summary. ¶3. U.S.-China Navy Ships Confrontation "[U.S.-China] Conflicts in the South China Sea and Behind-the-Scene Factors Concerning the United States" The "International Lookout" column in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" [circulation: 150,000] wrote (3/19): "Be it [called] turmoil or an incident in the South China Sea, China had no other alternative but send a 4,500-ton fishery administration ship, remodeled from an [old] destroyer, to the area, thus turning [the state of mind of] the Philippines from soaring to panic. All these happenings appear to be profound and abstruse, so there is speculation claiming that it was the United States which set up a trap and intentionally [lured] China into it. "The background [of the speculation] went like this: China's Southeast [Asia] policy has started to produce effects, as its free trade agreement with Southeast Asia will kick off in 2010, and the ASEAN nations will grow increasingly dependent on mainland China economically. China's influence as a big country in the region will definitely outweigh that of the United States. Since ASEAN plays a major role in constituting the geo-politics in Asia, the United States will by no means sit back and watch itself being excluded [from the region]. Yet Washington can hardly stop such a trend. The United States is at its wit's end, even though it is in possession of enormous military power in the Pacific. Washington thus came up [with the idea of] creating conflicts between the ASEAN and China. ... "USNS Impeccable was actively and heavily engaged in the South China Sea and reconnoitering the navy base of China [in the area]. Isn't that [some kind of] challenge? Previously when conflicts happened between the United States and China, both sides were normally reluctant to make them public. But this time the U.S. military proactively announced [the incident] with a tough attitude. Wasn't it a show put on to encourage [other] nations that have ambitions toward the South China Sea?" ¶4. U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations "China Can Use Strategic Reassurance" Yu Tsung-chi, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council of the United States, opined in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] (3/190: "In a recent report to the National People's Congress, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Beijing was ready to hold talks on political and military issues in pursuit of ending hostilities across the Taiwan Strait. However, Wen failed to mention any specific confidence-building measures (CBMs),even though Beijing, Taipei and Washington have all recently expressed some interest in this proposal. ... For China and Taiwan to solve this 'mutual mistrust,' both may need to first struggle to demonstrate that their long-term intentions are benign. Both sides and Beijing in particular may need to engage in Strategic Reassurance Measures (SRMs). ... U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS "As far as China is concerned, 'Taiwanese independence' and Taiwan's military capabilities, including arms procurements from the US, are the major threats to China's territorial integrity. Responding to these concerns, Taiwan has taken steps to reassure China. These include renouncing the pro-independence policy, scrapping plans for developing long-range cruise missiles, downsizing military troops, cutting the frequency of war games, decreasing its military outlays, planning to phase out the conscription system by 2014 and even working on a think tank to coordinate strategic dialogues with the Chinese military. In contrast, in response to Taipei's major concern - the 1,500 missiles pointed at Taiwan - Beijing has so far done nothing at all, let alone shown any benign gestures regarding military CBMs. Beijing simply keeps ignoring that Taiwan has frequently pointed out the missiles are a significant threat to the island. ... "Now is the perfect time for China to withdraw the missiles it points at Taiwan. Taipei has reiterated that China must reduce its military threat before peace talks can be held, specifically calling for China to remove the missiles. The world would extend a hand if China were willing to unclench its fist by removing the missiles in line with its statement that its peaceful development and rise pose no threat to any country. Such a benign gesture would also greatly reduce the worry and mutual mistrust in the region. ... For the benefit of all sides, now is the right time for cross-strait SRMs." YOUNG