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TAEF BRIEF
February 2nd, 2024
No. 126 |
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CONTENT
-TAEF Updates
-TAEF Media Gallery
-TAEF Commentaries
-New Southbound Policy News
-Regional Headlines |
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TAEF fellow Dr. Hashmi interviewed by Neue Zurcher Zeitung |
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February 2, 2024
Patrik Zoll, a correspondent specializing in geopolitics and the Indo-Pacific region for Neue Zurcher Zeitung (NZZ), based in Taipei, recently interviewed Dr. Sana Hashmi, a post-doctoral fellow at TAEF, to delve into the dynamics of Taiwan-India relations and the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific. The conversation extended to an exploration of the operational aspects of TAEF.
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2023 Yushan Forum Spotlight Interview | Trần Thu Liễu
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Trần Thu Liễu is a Vietnamese translator for the Immigration Agency, New Taipei City Social Services, New Taipei City Health Agency, Taipei City Hospital Sanchong and Banchiao Branch. She is a multi-talented person, being a nail technician and Southeast Asian dessert instructor. She is also the host of educational radio broadcast "Happiness Nation" and she has also established a dance club that promotes and celebrates Southeast Asian traditional dancing. Trần Thu Liễu is very active in cultural and art promotion.
Recently, she has branched out to acting, having appeared in several TV series and movies. Trần Thu Liễu learned the Chinese language through a government-subsidized program and went through training under the Immigration Agency, which aided her in becoming a translator in public sectors and hospitals.
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Taipei Times
New India-Taiwan ties under Lai
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January 21, 2024
A change in leadership presents an opportunity for countries to revitalize ties. In the case of India and Taiwan, this represents a chance to elevate relations to new heights. This is not only mutually beneficial, but also holds significance for the broader Indo-Pacific region, making India-Taiwan engagement essential.
- Dr. Sana Hashimi, Postdoctoral Fellow, Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation
Taiwan’s elections marked several unprecedented developments. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured its third consecutive presidential term, a historic feat, as no party in Taiwan had previously achieved this milestone. Moreover, the results garnered international attention, with countries sending congratulatory messages to the president-elect, Vice President William Lai (賴清德).
During DPP election rallies, it became evident that the majority of Taiwanese resonated with President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) foreign-policy approach. When Tsai assumed power eight years ago, China suspended cross-strait dialogue, heightened tensions through intensified “gray zone” activities and sought to diminish Taiwan’s international space.
Lai has stated his intention to uphold Tsai’s cross-strait “status quo” and continue her broader foreign policy approach. It appears highly probable that his administration is to prioritize continuity, with an emphasis on bolstering ties with like-minded democracies. Continued focus on the New Southbound Policy seems likely, given its successes. Taiwan has also seen closer ties with India and Australia as a result.
Despite considerable achievements, a renewed perspective to utilize untapped potential is essential. It is prudent for the new administration to strengthen the New Southbound Policy, with India retaining its status as a focal country. To advance relations, Lai could consider taking several strategic steps. Despite India’s momentum and support for Taiwan, there is ample room for bolstering ties.
India should also take Taiwan’s needs into account. The feasibility study for a free trade agreement negotiation, shelved during former president Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration in the 2010s, should be revisited. Building economic institutional links would be mutually beneficial, and India stands to gain significantly from such collaboration.
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NEW SOUTHBOUND POLICY NEWS |
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Focus Taiwan
Coast Guard confirms completion of Taiping Island wharf upgrades |
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January 29, 2024
The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) on Monday confirmed that a dredging project to allow larger vessels to dock at a wharf serving the Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea has been completed.
The renovation, which was completed on Oct. 30, 2023, and passed the required inspections on Jan. 20, also included a reinforcing of typhoon-related disaster prevention measures, the CGA added.
Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, the largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, lies 1,600 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung and is administered as part of the southern Taiwan city's Cijin District. The Taiwan-controlled island currently hosts around 200 coast guardsmen trained by the Marine Corps who regularly hold drills. The island is also claimed by Vietnam, China and the Philippines.
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Taipei Times
Youth programs sparking interest in Taiwan: OCAC |
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January 29, 2024
Ninety-five percent of the participants of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) “overseas compatriot youth study activities” last year have expressed increased interest in studying in Taiwan, it said.
There were 1,642 enrolled members from New Southbound Policy nations, a 6.7 percent increase from 1,538 members in 2019, including 929 from Indonesia, 288 from the Philippines and 126 from Thailand, OCAC data showed.
As the Overseas Compatriot Youth Taiwan Experience Program is aimed at introducing Taiwan’s vocational education environment to young overseas compatriots, the council arranges for them to visit high schools and university campuses with industry-academia cooperative education programs and allow them to experience the vocational courses.
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Taiwan News
Indian police clear Taiwan pigeon suspected of spying for China |
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January 2, 2024
A Taiwanese pigeon suspected of spying for China can once again fly free after Indian police cleared it of wrongdoing following eight months in detention. AP reported on Thursday (Feb. 2) the pigeon had been released into the wild after being captured in Mumbai in May. Because the bird had rings attached to its legs with what appeared to be Chinese characters, police suspected it was a spy pigeon and detained it.
Pigeons have come under policy scrutiny in India before. In 2016 a pigeon was found with a note threatening Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and in 2020 another suspected of spying was released by police after it flew over the heavily militarized India-Pakistan border.
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Taiwan Today
MOC unveils subsidies for international pop music programs
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January 9 , 2024
The Ministry of Culture announced a subsidy project to encourage the production of international pop music programs Jan. 8, highlighting government efforts to promote Taiwan’s music on the global stage.
Set to receive applications from Jan. 10 to March 11, the MOC said qualified applicants include Taiwan companies that produce audiovisual content, as well as entities that organize performing arts activities or musical performances. The applications must target international audiences such as those in Japan, South Korea and countries in Southeast Asia and include plans to cultivate artists with the potential to compete globally, the ministry added.
Approved by the Executive Yuan in 2023, the initiative was allotted a budget of NT$10 billion through 2027 and centers on art, audiovisual productions, publishing, cultural creativity, cultural technology and cultural diplomacy, according to the MOC.
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Nikkei Asia
Marcos-Duterte rift escalates over Philippines constitutional changes |
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February 2, 2024
Relations between the Philippines' two most influential political clans -- the Marcoses and the Dutertes -- are fraying as tensions over constitutional changes erupt into a public feud.
The tensions demonstrate how political alliances in the Philippines tend to be short-lived, often struck simply for politicians to consolidate support ahead of elections.
Political dynasties, with all their money, influence and grassroots support, hold power in shaping who becomes president. The discord began with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration slashing Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential budget. This followed media reports last year detailing her spending of roughly $2.2 million in just 11 days early in her term.
Tensions escalated when Duterte's confidential funds were completely cut from her office's 2024 budget while Marcos' own discretionary funds remained untouched. Nonetheless, Duterte publicly reaffirmed her support for the Marcos administration.
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VOA
Vietnam, Philippines Sign Deals on South China Sea Security
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January 30, 2024
Vietnam and the Philippines agreed on Tuesday (30 Jan.) to boost cooperation between their two coast guards to prevent incidents in the South China Sea, waters claimed in their entirety by Beijing. Both Southeast Asian nations dispute China’s claim to the resource-rich maritime territory that is a major shipping route, and each nation has had tense run-ins with China in the strategic waterway.
Marcos and Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong also agreed to strengthen existing maritime cooperation mechanisms, notably the Joint Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs at the deputy-minister level.
They will also enhance communication between coast guard commands and adopt other measures to ensure the safety and security of fishermen from both countries, as well as to solve amicably any unexpected incidents at sea, Viet Nam News reported.
China’s state-run People’s Daily Online said on Tuesday (30 Jan.), “If Vietnam and the Philippines cooperate in certain areas to the detriment of China's interests in the South China Sea, it will only irritate the situation in the South China Sea and make the risk of conflict higher.”
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The Guardian
New Zealand steps up interest in Aukus as Pacific security concerns grow
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February 2, 2024
New Zealand has stepped up its interest in joining the non-nuclear pillar of Aukus, amid China’s growing presence in the Pacific and broader concerns over a “reshaped world”. New Zealand’s foreign minister Winston Peters – also a deputy prime minister – and the defence minister, Judith Collins, travelled to Melbourne to meet with their Australian counterparts, Penny Wong and Richard Marles, for the inaugural “2+2” Australia and New Zealand foreign and defence ministers’ meeting on Thursday (1 Feb.).
In a joint press conference, defence minister Marles announced an Australian delegation would travel to New Zealand “very shortly” to brief officials on the second pillar of the Aukus pact. The second “pillar” of Aukus covers the sharing of advanced military technologies, including quantum computing and artificial intelligence. New Zealand has not been offered the chance to join pillar one, nor would it accept, due to its anti-nuclear position.
In 2022, China struck a security pact with Solomon Islands, alarming Washington and Canberra. In January, the Pacific nation of Nauru switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, and this week, Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister, Justin Tkatchenko, confirmed the country was in early talks with Beijing on a potential security and policing deal.
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