China Taiwan Province (ROC): News, Discussions & Images

[Henry ME 95]

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan-based China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) established a submarine development center on Monday to support the construction of six to eight diesel electric submarines under the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program.

The Taiwanese Navy has a requirement to replace two inoperable World War II-era Guppy-class attack submarines as well as the life extension program for its two Dutch-built Sea Dragon-class (Zwaardvis Mk 2) submarines built during the early 1980s.

The new Submarine Development Center of CSBC (SDCC) will produce a design for the IDS under a budget of $95 million by the end of this year.

Taiwan’s Navy has expressed frustration since the US agreed to assist Taiwan in the acquisition of eight diesel attack submarines in 2001, but was unable to fulfill the promise due to pressure from China and technological challenges. The US has not built a diesel electric submarine since the Barbel-class in the 1950s.

“CSBC's establishment of a submarine development center is a positive sign,” said Mark Stokes, executive director of the Project 2049 Institute, a think tank based in Washington, DC. “Taiwan's defense industry is taking the submarine program seriously. If licensed, US partners have a supporting role to play in the IDS program.”

Stokes served as the Pentagon’s team chief and senior country director for Taiwan in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs during the 2001 arms release. He is described by many within the US and Taiwan defense industries as a major advocate of Taiwan’s acquisition of submarines.

The SDCC announcement comes only a month before the 2016 Kaohsiung International Maritime and Defense Industry Expo. Taiwan’s Navy is implementing a wide-ranging fleet modernization effort that includes Aegis destroyers, frigates, high-speed minelayers, landing platform docks, additional stealthy Tuo Jiang-class missile corvette catamarans and multi-purpose transports.

There is some skepticism in Taiwan over the IDS and the larger fleet modernization and recapitalization efforts.

Ching Chang, a research fellow of the Taipei-based Society for Strategic Studies and former Taiwan naval officer, sees a potential incentive to drive associated economic activities in the manufacturing and service sectors.

However, “one leaf makes no autumn,” Chang said; his concern is that the limited numbers of build programs will not survive beyond domestic demand. This was the case, Chang said, with the production of the Indigenous Defense Fighter during the 1990s that ceased after 130 aircraft and the line closed.

Ultimately the real decision on whether Taiwan has a successful submarine and surface vessel recapitalization program lies in Washington, DC, which approves much of the advanced technological defense exports Taipei relies so heavily on, Chang said. With the coming election, there will be a delay until summer when the new US National Security Council settles into work and examines the request in accordance with the incoming president’s policy goals.


http://www.defensenews.com/story/de...n-submarine-navy-modernization-csbc/88001218/

 

[BoQ77]

That is the needed step if they want to survive.

 

[Henry ME 95]

That is the needed step if they want to survive.

Self-sustainability never hurts, the Taiwanese I have a respect for because they work hard trying to develop new weapon's systems. many times they do well in this.
Although I do support an eventual unification between Taiwan & China. no people should be divided by political disagreements.

 

[艹艹艹]

Please refer

 

[TheTheoryOfMilitaryLogistics]

That is the needed step if they want to survive.

China is too kind to vietnam.Maybe it's time to change vietnam into countries like Mexico.
Young generation Chinese people don't have good temper like elder generation.
Hehe.

No offense,the truth is that Taiwan don't have the ability to build their submarines,this news is like indian news,LOL.

 

[fadine]

不要动不动就想使用武力，如果将来别国的电視剧中出现嘲弄“中国鬼子”，我们是什么滋味？

FaC

 

[Henry ME 95]

China is too kind to vietnam.Maybe it's time to change vietnam into countries like Mexico.
Young generation Chinese people don't have good temper like elder generation.
Hehe.

No offense,the truth is that Taiwan don't have the ability to build their submarines,this news is like indian news,LOL.

But sir, the Taiwanese just like their mainland brothers are very resourceful people.
Never say never when dealing with a high I.Q & high achieving people like the Han, you think you would know that as a Chinese citizen

 

[Henry ME 95]

Old map proves China’s claims are worthless

VietNamNet Bridge – An old Chinese map published during the Qing dynasty in 1904 indicates that the most southerly point of China is Hainan Island and it does not include the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagoes.

The aged Chinese map, an administrative boundary map of provinces, is historical evidence and a legal proof that confirms Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

It was in the possession of Dr. Mai Ngoc Hong, a former head of the Han-Nom Institute’s Library and Documentation Department and Director of the Vietnam Family Annals Scientific Application and Research Centre. He presented it to the Vietnam National Museum of History on the morning of July 25.

Hong, who had owned the map for 35 years, said that in 1904 it was the most modern map of China , after Emperors from the Qing Dynasty had directed clergymen, astronomers and surveyors to produce it. It was created across almost two centuries (1708-1904) from the Emperor Kangxi to the Emperor Guangxu.

More specifically, in 1708, the 47 th Emperor Kangxi, recruited several western clergymen, including Joachim Bouvet, Petrus Pierre Jartoux, Jean Baptiste Regis and Xavier Ehrenbert Fridelli, who were initially charged with drawing a map of the Great Wall.

However in 1711, the Emperor asked them to survey the 13 provinces he was ruler of.

From that date onwards, for almost 200 years, Chinese and western intellectuals have together collected and researched China’s administrative boundary maps to supplement the original ones made by clergymen. The prestigious western clergymen that helped China to produce the map included Matteo Ricci, Joannes Adam Schall Von Bell, and Ferdinandus Verbiest.

Hong said the map’s accuracy and scientific features are reflected in the fact that it in a serious manner by scientists under the close guidance of the emperors.

The map has coordinates, meridians, latitudes and longitudes, showing its legality. It indicates that the southernmost point of China is Hainan Island and it does not include Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

According to the researcher of ancient Chinese script, Pham Hoang Quan, under the reign of the Qing dynasty, the majority of China’s administrative maps show the nation’s exact territorial boundaries to scale.

Apart from the above-mentioned map, there were other maps such as a national map of China completed in 1719. The project was initiated by Emperor Kangxi and carried out by western clergymen. The map clearly states the southernmost point of China’s territory as Ya Zhou, now Hainan , at latitude of 18 degree 21’36 north.

The map is of special significance and lays the foundation in terms of the longitude and latitude for most subsequent administrative maps, even the Qing dynasty’s map in 1904, stressed Quan.

Regarding the historical evidence confirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagoes, historian Duong Trung Quoc said that ever since the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam has controlled and managed the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

Bibliographies and maps of Vietnamese dynasties mention the Nguyen Lords, who sent the Bac Hai and Hoang Sa naval forces to the islands. In 1834, the Minh Mang dynasty had produced a map showing the Truong Sa strip clearly positioned in the East Sea, said the historian.

According to East Sea researcher Dinh Kim Phuc, the discovery of the 1904 map made by the Chinese themselves and published over 100 years ago is of great significance.

“This is even more ammunition for our dossier of evidence confirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, which will be submitted to the United Nations in the future”, he said.

VNN/VOV/VNA

That's a nice article m8 but it's

it is about their submarine development center, not about the disputes with Vietnam.
so it is

 

[cochine]

That's a nice article m8 but it's

Thks. you are right. I deleted my post already.

 

[Henry ME 95]

Thks. you are right. I deleted my post already.

not to say i take a side in the issue though. to be honest i respect both China & Vietnam. as both are very impressive countries

 

[TheTheoryOfMilitaryLogistics]

But sir, the Taiwanese just like their mainland brothers are very resourceful people.
Never say never when dealing with a high I.Q & high achieving people like the Han, you think you would know that as a Chinese citizen

Taiwan belongs to China,but taiwaneses ......Well,part of them are Chinese.The race is not the key,the key is that Taiwan actually don't have ability to make submarine.This news is just a political loser's propaganda.

 

[Henry ME 95]

Taiwan belongs to China,but taiwaneses ......Well,part of them are Chinese.The race is not the key,the key is that Taiwan actually don't have ability to make submarine.This news is just a political loser's propaganda.

the wide majority of them are ethnically Han Chinese as per census results, although it is true that there are non chinese minorities (the aborigines of Taiwan).
to be honest Taiwan has money & scientists. not as much as mainland china obviously but they are still very capable in scientific fields.

 

[ahojunk]

Looks like the "diplomatic truce' between China and Taiwan is broken.
Or it's just Gambia looking after its interests as China is a much bigger investor than Taiwan. China's sizable wallet is increasingly difficult to ignore, lol.
Or it's another reminder to Tsai Ing-wen to tread carefully, ....

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China, Gambia resume diplomatic ties
Source: Xinhua | 2016-03-17 23:26:01 | Editor: huaxia

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) holds talks with his Gambian counterpart Neneh MacDouall Gaye in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2016. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Gambian counterpart Neneh MacDouall-Gaye signed a joint communique here Thursday to resume diplomatic relations.

"The People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of The Gambia...have agreed and decided to resume diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level as of the date of the signing of this Joint Communique," the communique says.

The two countries also agreed to exchange ambassadors and, in accordance with the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, provide necessary assistance for the establishment of embassies and the performance of their respective duties on a reciprocal basis, it says.

According to the communique, the Chinese government supports the Gambian government in its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and develop the economy.

The Gambian government recognizes that there is only one China in the world and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, it says.

The Gambian government undertakes not to establish any official relations or engage in any official contact with Taiwan, it says.

The Chinese government appreciates this position of the Gambian government, it says.

"The time of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Gambia was determined through consultation between the two sides," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Thursday.

The resumption of diplomatic ties is not directed against anyone, he said, reiterating China's adherence to the one-China policy and peaceful development of cross-Strait relations remains unchanged.

There is only one China in the world, and both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, he said, adding that China's sovereignty and territorial integrity will not be divided.

Asked if China had provided enormous aid to Gambia to resume ties, Lu said the resumption of diplomatic relations is based on mutual respect,trust and benefit and on an equal footing.

"China will discuss friendly and reciprocal cooperation with Gambia following the resumption of ties," Lu said.

"The Chinese people have always held friendly sentiments toward the Gambian people," said Wang, adding that the resumption of the ambassadorial relations reflects common aspirations and are in the fundamental interests of both nations.

Wang stressed that the one-China policy is a political precondition and foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with other countries.

"We believe that the Gambian government will strictly adhere to the one-China policy and support China's undertakings for peaceful reunification," Wang said.

Wang said China stands ready to enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and increase people-to-people exchanges with Gambia and will support the African country's efforts to play a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

MacDouall-Gaye said the resumption of diplomatic relations between Gambia and China is a milestone in bilateral relations.

The Gambian government and people will firmly adhere to the one-China policy, support the peaceful reunification of China and the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, she said.

Gambia is willing to be China's good friend and partner on the basis of mutual respect for each other's sovereignty, said MacDouall-Gaye.

She said Gambia highly appreciates China's long-term assistance and cooperation with Africa.

Gambia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as agriculture, infrastructure, investment, manufacturing, people-to-people exchanges, processing, tourism and trade, she said.

Gambia will actively take part in cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), she added.

On Thursday afternoon, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao also met with MacDouall-Gaye at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li hoped the two sides will push forward friendly, win-win cooperation.

The two countries established formal diplomatic links in 1974, but China suspended relations in 1995 when Gambia resumed so-called "diplomatic" ties with Taiwan. Gambia severed ties with Taiwan in 2013.

 

[ahojunk]

This news was 5 months ago, before Tsai Ing-wen assumed the presidency of Taiwan. The contents are still as relevant as ever.
When you have a big wallet, you can make things happen. Money talks, bullsh*t walks.

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China's Gambia Move Reminds Tsai of Power to Isolate Taiwan
Bloomberg News
March 18, 2016 — 3:42 PM AEDT Updated on March 18, 2016 — 6:59 PM AEDT

The Presidential Office Building in Taipei. Photographer: David Chang/EPA

China formally re-established relations with Gambia on Thursday, more than two years after the West African state severed ties with Taiwan and expressed a willingness to form a bond with the world’s second-largest economy.

• 
  
  • New ties with island's ex-ally put pressure on president-elect
  • Beijing wants DPP leader to embrace negotiating framework

China’s diplomatic embrace of the tiny nation of Gambia -- one of the few states that had recognized Taiwan -- places new pressure on President-elect Tsai Ing-wen to clarify her position on talks with Beijing before she takes office in May.

China formally re-established relations with Gambia on Thursday, more than two years after the West African state severed ties with Taiwan and expressed a willingness to form a bond with the world’s second-largest economy. The move sends a warning to Tsai that Beijing has the power to increase the island’s diplomatic isolation should the Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman refuse to accept the same negotiating framework as the outgoing president, Ma Ying-jeou, of the Kuomintang.

"This is a clear message to Tsai Ing-wen to get her to be clear about her stance," said Sun Xiaoying, deputy director of the Taiwan Research Center at he Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Guangxi. "The Gambia case is the first, but won’t be the last. Many countries that have relations with Taiwan have expressed good will to Beijing to establish diplomatic ties, but Beijing didn’t accept their proposals to respect Ma."

The Communist Party has been ramping up pressure on Tsai since she led the DPP to a landslide election victory in January, calling into question relations that have prospered during Ma’s eight-year tenure. While Tsai has pledged to maintain the "status quo" with the mainland, her party’s charter officially supports independence from China and she has so far declined to endorse the so-called 1992 consensus that has underpinned talks between the two sides.

Beijing still considers the island a province more than 66 years after the Chiang Kai-shek led KMT forces across the Taiwan Strait, and in 2005 passed a law allowing an attack to prevent independence. Under the "1992" framework, the Communist Party and the KMT have agreed that there’s only one China, even if they differ on what that means.

‘Diplomatic Competition’

During Ma’s time in office, Beijing refrained from wooing away any of Taiwan’s diplomatic partners. Both Ma and the DPP criticized the Gambia move. The country’s departure in November 2013 left Taiwan with 22, mostly small states, as formal diplomatic partners, including the Holy See.

"There’s no need to get into a diplomatic competition with China, and there’s no need to do things that hurt the feelings of the people," Tsai said Friday, according to a DPP statement. "This isn’t helpful to the normal development of cross-strait relations. Hopefully, the establishment of ties with Gambia isn’t a targeted move."

During annual legislative meetings in Beijing this month, both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang stressed the necessity of the 1992 consensus and vowed to oppose any moves toward independence. Sun Yafu, vice chairman of the mainland’s Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, told Bloomberg News on March 3 that Tsai could only get Beijing’s support if she expressed agreement with the “one China” concept in her May 20 inaugural speech.

Economic Instruments

Ma was asked about the Gambia move Thursday during a visit to Belize, another of Taiwan’s diplomatic partners. "It occurred at a time which we see as very inappropriate, and we have to voice our strong dissatisfaction," he told reporters, according to the island’s Central News Agency.

Years of strengthening trade ties have given Beijing a broad range of economic instruments to show its disapproval of Taiwanese policies, including curbing the number of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan.

"It was Gambia that proposed to restore diplomatic ties with China, and there was no prerequisite attached," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement Friday. "The Gambia leadership has realized that restoring diplomatic relations with China is in the interests of the Gambian people, therefore this right decision was made."

— With assistance by Ting Shi, and Keith Zhai

 

[ahojunk]

Some good news for Taiwan.

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Taiwan best place to live for expats in latest survey (update)
2016/08/30 11:13:04

Taipei 101 Building

Taipei, Aug. 30 (CNA) Taiwan has been named the world's best place to live for expatriates in the latest InterNations Expat Insider Survey, impressing foreigners living in the country with its quality of health care and the ability to make a good living.

In addition to replacing Ecuador atop the overall ranking of 67 countries, Taiwan was ranked among the top ten for every one of the five individual indexes, according to the annual survey.

"Taiwan holds first place in the Quality of Life and Personal Finance indexes, impressing with the quality and affordability of its health care and the enviable financial situation of expats living there," InterNations said.

Taiwan ranked second in the survey's "Working Abroad" index, with over one-third of expats in Taiwan (34 percent) completely satisfied with their jobs, more than double the global average of 16 percent.

"This small island country also holds second place for overall satisfaction with life abroad, with 93 percent voicing their general contentment," behind only Spain, the survey showed.

In the other two main categories, Taiwan finished 10th in the "Ease of Settling In" index and eighth in the "Family Life" index.

Founded in 2007, InterNations is the world's largest network for expats with a total of 2.3 million members. The InterNations network has a presence in communities of 390 cities worldwide.

The Expat Insider survey, conducted for the third time in 2016, included Taiwan among the countries covered for the first time.

It polled more than 14,000 respondents representing 174 nationalities and 191 countries or territories, and the respondents talked about their experiences in moving, living, and working in the 67 destinations.

InterNations said that a majority of expats in Taiwan planned to stay there for more than three years (64 percent), and many of them (36 percent in total) even considered the possibility of living on the island forever.

In a report on the InterNations survey, Forbes cited an expat from Sweden who has lived in Taiwan for almost a decade as saying that the country made him feel at home.

"Taiwan is one of the best hidden gems of the Asia Pacific," Martin Linstrom, general manager of IKEA in Taiwan, told Forbes, "It is very easy to feel at home here."

Lindstrom told Forbes that Taiwan has a beautiful countryside with "scenic mountains and great opportunities for hiking or biking," and he said he also enjoyed the local cuisine and amazing coffee shops.

Most importantly, Lindstrom said, Taiwan has really friendly people.

Lindstrom's comments echoed the InterNations survey, which showed that Taiwan did best in terms of the friendly attitude toward families with children, with 58 percent of the respondents saying that Taiwan in this regard was very good, compared with an average of 39 percent worldwide.

"Looking at these results, it comes as no surprise that one in six expats living in Taiwan has entered the country seeking -- and obviously finding -- a better standard of living," the survey said.

Following Taiwan, Malta ranked as the second best place for expatriates in the survey ahead of Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Australia, Austria, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic.

On the bottom of the survey were Kuwait (67th), Greece (66th), Nigeria (65th), Brazil (64th), Saudi Arabia (63rd), Egypt (62nd), Mozambique (61st), Qatar (60th), Italy (59th), and Tanzania (58th).

(By Tony Liao, Jay Chen and Frances Huang)