The US-China relationship is the “most consequential” in the world today, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday.
He was speaking just hours before leaving Washington for Beijing to prepare for the APEC summit and private meetings between US President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).
“The Asia-Pacific is one of the most promising places on the planet, and America’s future and security and prosperity are closely and increasingly linked to that region,” Kerry said in a speech delivered at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington.
Kerry did not mention Taiwan by name, but touched on a number of topics vital to the nation.
He said the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was a “strategic opportunity” for the US and other Pacific nations to bind together “so that we can all prosper together.”
Taiwan hopes to be part of the second round of TPP entry negotiations and is looking for US support for its entry bid.
Kerry said the US wanted to reduce tensions and promote a rules-based stable region, while at the same time “empowering people throughout the Asia-Pacific to live with dignity, security and opportunity.”
A key component of the US’ rebalance strategy was strengthening US-China relations in a way that would benefit the whole world, he said.
He called for a “principled and productive” relationship with China, while acknowledging that the two countries had different views on significant issues.
Kerry said disagreements would be addressed, but added that “these debates, frankly, don’t take place in the spotlight and much of what we say usually doesn’t end up in the headlines.”
However, he assured his audience that tough issues would be discussed at length in Beijing during Obama’s visit.
Among the issues expected to be raised in the closed-door meetings between Obama and Xi are arms sales to Taiwan.
Kerry said that maritime security, especially in the South and East China Seas, would also be discussed.
“We take a strong position on how those claims are pursued and how those disputes are going to be resolved,” Kerry said.
“We are deeply concerned about mounting tension in the South China Sea and we consistently urge all the parties to pursue claims in accordance with international law, to exercise self-restraint, to peacefully resolve disputes and to make rapid, meaningful progress to complete a code of conduct that will help reduce the potential for conflict,” he added.
Kerry said that respect for fundamental freedoms was a centerpiece of US foreign policy and the US would “never shy away from articulating our deeply held values or defending our interests, our allies and our partners.”
Internet-related issues, climate change and economics would also be discussed by the two leaders in Beijing, he said.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) today issued a sea warning for Typhoon Fung-wong effective from 5:30pm, while local governments canceled school and work for tomorrow. A land warning is expected to be issued tomorrow morning before it is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, the agency said. Taoyuan, and well as Yilan, Hualien and Penghu counties canceled work and school for tomorrow, as well as mountainous district of Taipei and New Taipei City. For updated information on closures, please visit the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Web site. As of 5pm today, Fung-wong was about 490km south-southwest of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan's southernmost point.
Almost a quarter of volunteer soldiers who signed up from 2021 to last year have sought early discharge, the Legislative Yuan’s Budget Center said in a report. The report said that 12,884 of 52,674 people who volunteered in the period had sought an early exit from the military, returning NT$895.96 million (US$28.86 million) to the government. In 2021, there was a 105.34 percent rise in the volunteer recruitment rate, but the number has steadily declined since then, missing recruitment targets, the Chinese-language United Daily News said, citing the report. In 2021, only 521 volunteers dropped out of the military, the report said, citing
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck Kaohsiung at 1pm today, the Central Weather Administration said. The epicenter was in Jiasian District (甲仙), 72.1km north-northeast of Kaohsiung City Hall, at a depth of 7.8km, agency data showed. There were no immediate reports of damage. The earthquake's intensity, which gauges the actual effects of a temblor, was highest in Kaohsiung and Tainan, where it measured a 4 on Taiwan's seven-tier intensity scale. It also measured a 3 in parts of Chiayi City, as well as Pingtung, Yunlin and Hualien counties, data showed.
Nearly 5 million people have signed up to receive the government’s NT$10,000 (US$322) universal cash handout since registration opened on Wednesday last week, with deposits expected to begin tomorrow, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday. After a staggered sign-up last week — based on the final digit of the applicant’s national ID or Alien Resident Certificate number — online registration is open to all eligible Taiwanese nationals, foreign permanent residents and spouses of Taiwanese nationals. Banks are expected to start issuing deposits from 6pm today, the ministry said. Those who completed registration by yesterday are expected to receive their NT$10,000 tomorrow, National Treasury
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