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Tsai condemns Ma-Xi meeting

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-11-04
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen on

Tsai condemns Ma-Xi meeting.  Central News Agency (2015-11-04 18:15:53)

Tsai condemns Ma-Xi meeting. Central News Agency (2015-11-04 18:15:53)

Wednesday slammed the news of a summit between President Ma Ying-jeou and China’s President Xi Jinping, accusing the former of having planned everything in secret.

Ma will travel to Singapore Saturday for the first-ever meeting between the presidents of Taiwan and China since 1949, even though both men will address each other as “Mister.” The overnight announcement provoked widespread interest as well as protests from the Taiwanese opposition.

The talks between Ma and Xi should respect the equal level between the two, remain transparent, and stay away from political topics, Tsai said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.     [FULL  STORY]

Ma-Xi meet signals Beijing’s recognition of Taiwan government: expert

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Lin Chong-pin (林中斌)

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/11/04
By: S.J. Tsai and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, Nov. 4 (CNA) Beijing has agreed that the meeting between President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in Singapore on Saturday will be held on an equal footing, which indicates China’s recognition that there is a government in Taiwan, Lin Chong-pin (林中斌), a former vice chairman of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, said Wednesday.

Ma and Xi will address each other as “mister” in the historic meeting, marking a breakthrough in face-to-face exchanges and communication between the two leaders across the Taiwan Strait after all the twists and turns since Taiwan and China split at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.

This shows Beijing’s recognition of the Taiwanese government, said Lin, a China affairs expert.     [FULL  STORY]

NMTH gives historic take on Taiwan maps

Taiwan Today
Date: November 3, 2015

NMTH gives historic take on Taiwan mapsThe Atlas of the Chinese Empire, made by the

The Atlas of the Chinese Empire, made by the French Jesuit Joseph de Mailla in 1714, is on display during the Taiwan Map Festival at the National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan City. (Courtesy of NMTH)

The Atlas of the Chinese Empire, made by the French Jesuit Joseph de Mailla in 1714, is on display during the Taiwan Map Festival at the National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan City. (Courtesy of NMTH)

French Jesuit Joseph de Mailla in 1714, is on display during the Taiwan Map Festival at the National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan City. (Courtesy of NMTH)

The Taiwan Map Festival is currently underway at the National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan City, marking the fourth anniversary of the institution by offering public access to a treasure-trove of geographic and historical documents pertaining to the island of Taiwan.

Comprising classical, general, single and thematic atlases, the 20-plus maps may date back to as early as the 16th century. These include maps fashioned by mariners, merchants and missionaries from England, France and the Netherlands.

“We hope the wealth of topographical charts and diagrams will trigger exhibition-goers’ interest, and further spur them to consider the lives of those who lived long ago and reflect on the relationship between people and this beautiful land,” the Ministry of Culture said.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Affairs Office confirms Ma-Xi meeting

LINE IN THE SAND:The office said the two leaders would address each other as ‘mister, and avoid using the words ‘country’ and ‘president’ in Singapore

Taipei Times
Date: , Nov 05, 2015
By: AP, BEIJING

Confirmation of the Ma-Xi meeting from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) came hours

Democratic Progressive Party legislative candidate Lai Jui-lung, center front, yesterday displays a black box as he stages a protest outside the offices of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) Kaohsiung chapter.  Photo: Ker Yu-hao, Taipei Times

Democratic Progressive Party legislative candidate Lai Jui-lung, center front, yesterday displays a black box as he stages a protest outside the offices of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) Kaohsiung chapter. Photo: Ker Yu-hao, Taipei Times

after the Presidential Office announced it just before midnight on Tuesday.

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) would be meeting in their capacity as “leaders of the two sides” of the Taiwan Strait, TAO Minister Zhang Zhijun (張志軍) was quoted as saying in a statement on the office’s Web site.

They would address each other as “mister” and attend a banquet after the meeting, the office said.

Zhang said the two leaders would “exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of cross-Taiwan Straits relations,” Xinhua news agency reported.     [FULL  STORY]

Confirmed: Taiwan To Purchase US Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters

Taiwan’s military recently confirmed that it intends to purchase ten Seahawk aircraft.

The Diplomat
Date: November 04, 2015
By Franz-Stefan Gady

Last week, the chief of staff of the Republic of China Navy (ROCN), Vice Admiral Hsiao

mage Credit: Wikimedia Commons/US Navy

mage Credit: Wikimedia Commons/US Navy

Wei-ming, confirmed that Taiwan is seeking to purchase several MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopters from the United States, Focus Taiwan reports.

We plan to purchase 10 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters,” Vice Admiral Hsiao said during a testimony in front of the National Assembly’s  Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.

Once acquired, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter will be the most advanced anti-submarine warfare helicopter in the ROCN, according to Hsiao, and will replace the Navy’s aging fleet of MD Defender 500 aircraft. Defense News quoted one expert calling the MD Defender 500 ”worn out” and incapable of finding “a submarine unless it was washed up on the beach.”

In July, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense still did not want to commit to the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and tried to downplay its interest.  ”Taiwan is looking to replace its ageing fleet of MD 500, the Republic of China Navy is still considering what next-generation anti-submarine helicopters meet its requirements,” a ministry spokesperson said back then. “MH-60R is currently not the only option being considered by the RoCN,” which is now “conducting a full assessment of its interests and combat needs before identifying a specific helicopter,” he added, according to IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly.     [FULL  STORY]

U.S. House bill lends support to Taiwan’s Interpol participation

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/11/03
By: Rita Cheng, Tony Liao and Lilian Wu

Washington, Nov. 2 (CNA) The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill 2015110300051on Monday in support of Taiwan’s participation in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

The bill, which was passed by a vote of 392-0, was introduced in April by Reps. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Ed Royce (R-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Brad Sherman (D-CA).

Before the bill — H.R. 1853 — was referred to the full floor for a vote, it had already received bipartisan support and the endorsement of 114 representatives.

The legislation will now move the U.S Senate for screening and approval before it comes into effect.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan expects to receive two frigates from US

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Despite China’s opposition, Taiwan’s navy says it is preparing to take delivery of two frigates

Despite China’s opposition, Taiwan’s navy says it is preparing to take delivery of two frigates

World Bulletin
November 3, 2015
By: News Desk

Taiwan expects to shortly finalize an arms deal with the United States for the purchase of two frigates.

Kyodo News reported the country’s defense minister as saying Tuesday that his navy is prepared to receive the ships.

Kao Kuang-chi told the Legislative Yuan — Taiwan’s parliamentary body — that, “our navy staff is ready to get them.”

Despite opposition from China, the U.S. has already passed a bill into law authorizing the sale of four Perry-class guided missile frigates to Taiwan, which will get two in 2016 if it can finalize terms by the end of this year.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan and China to hold historic summit in Singapore

BBC News
November 3, 2015
Analysis: Cindy Sui, BBC News

Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Singapore

Xi Jinping (left) and Ma Ying-jeou will discuss stronger ties, Taiwan says, Image copyright AFP

Xi Jinping (left) and Ma Ying-jeou will discuss stronger ties, Taiwan says, Image copyright AFP

on Saturday – the first ever meeting between leaders of the two sides.

Both said the talks would focus on relations across the Taiwan Straits.

China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when the Nationalist government fled to the island after defeat by the Communists.

However, ties have improved since President Ma took office in 2008.

The Chinese government claims Taiwan as part of its territory and threatens to counter any move to outright independence by military force.

Taiwanese spokesman Chen Yi-hsin said President Ma’s aim was “to promote peace cross the Taiwan Strait and maintain status quo”.     [FULL  STORY]

FEATURE: Su Chiao-hui hopes to expand dad’s legacy

SU TSENG-CHANG:The Democratic Progressive Party legislative candidate said her father’s reputation has been ‘a source of both pressure and motivation’

Taipei Times
Date:  Nov 04, 2015
By: Chang An-chiao and Jonathan Chin  /  Staff reporter, with staff writer

Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative candidate for New

Su Chiao-hui, left, daughter of former Democratic Progressive Party chairman Su Tseng-chang, attends an event in Taipei on Oct. 3. Su Chiao-hui is standing as legislative candidate for New Taipei City’s fifth electoral constituency.  Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times

Su Chiao-hui, left, daughter of former Democratic Progressive Party chairman Su Tseng-chang, attends an event in Taipei on Oct. 3. Su Chiao-hui is standing as legislative candidate for New Taipei City’s fifth electoral constituency. Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times

Taipei City’s fifth electoral constituency and the daughter of former DPP chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), says her goal is to expand the democratic legacy of her father’s generation.

New Taipei City’s fifth electoral constituency is comprised of Shulin (樹林), Yingge (鶯歌) and Sinjhuang (新莊) districts.

When asked about how she evaluates the effect of her father’s reputation on her campaign, Su Chiao-hui said it had been “a source of both pressure and motivation.”

“The standards and expectations to which I am compared are higher,” she said.

“I watched the previous generation open democracy’s gates and our generation exercises the right to free speech as naturally as we breathe air. Without them, there is no us,” she said. “I don’t see myself as replacing anyone. It is more accurate to say that I am taking on the general responsibility that has been entrusted to us.”     [FULL  STORY]