The role China plays in East Asia's security was highlighted at a forum yesterday, with experts at odds over whether China was playing a constructive or destabilizing role in the region.
The forum was held by the Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Interflow Prospect Foundation and the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) based in Beijing. The think tanks focused especially on security in the Taiwan Strait.
Speaking of the availability of energy resources, Li Ming-juinn (李明峻), deputy secretary of the Taiwan Society of International Law, said that China and Japan could bring war to the international community as they try to secure stable crude oil supplies.
The dispute over the rights to underwater energy reserves in the East China Sea proves that China's strategy to acquire foreign oil is seriously challenged by Japan, he said.
He added that the disputes lie not only in exploring for oil resources, but also in maintaining transport channels, as China has been trying to secure them against possible hazards.
Japan, on the other hand, also vies with China to acquire oil resources to restrain China's economic development and retain its position of leadership in the region, he said. He said that the countries would become natural opponents in the a war over oil.
Liou To-hai (劉德海), a professor at National Chengchi University's Department of Diplomacy, addressed the forum from the viewpoint of China's participation in the six-party talks, to check North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
He said that China, which has gradually played an important role in the six-party talks, has reaped considerable benefits so far with the goals it has set up.
"China wants to form the image of joint burden-sharing between China and the US in Asia, and to degrade Japan, as well as to rope in the US to cooperate on other issues which are vital to [Beijing]," he said.
Another goal is for China to enhance its relations with North Korea, he said, noting that should China become stronger in the future, Japan would be put into a disadvantageous position.
"China has shifted its diplomatic strategy to the aspect of shortening its economic ties with other countries, with the aim to countering the containment policy the US adopted against it. Its final goal is to form an economic region that can rival the EU and the US," Liou said.
Yang Wen-jing (
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
RSS