Cross-Strait relations

Taiwan shows force in biggest live-fire drill since 2008

Agence France-PresseApril 16, 2013 23:30

Taiwan staged its biggest live-fire drill since 2008 Wednesday, in an operation involving more than 7000 troops that simulated a Chinese attack as its leader warned of Beijing's arms build-up. The operation, part of a five-day round-the-clock annual exercise codenamed "Han Kuang 29" (Han Glory 29), took place on the Penghu Islands in the middle of the 180-kilometre (110-mile) strait separating Taiwan from the Chinese mainland.

China points finger at U.S. over Asia-Pacific tensions

Thomson ReutersApril 15, 2013 23:15

By Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - China's defence ministry made a thinly veiled attack on the United States on Tuesday for increasing tensions in the Asia-Pacific by ramping up its military presence and alliances in the region, days after the top U.S. diplomat visited Beijing. China is uneasy with what the United States has called the "rebalancing" of forces as Washington winds down the war in Afghanistan and renews its attention in the Asia-Pacific.

Japan, Taiwan sign deal over disputed islands

AsianetApril 12, 2013 16:31

Japan, Taiwan sign deal over disputed islands

AsianetApril 11, 2013 15:03

Japan has agreed to give Taiwanese fishing rights in waters near a group of Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea that are also claimed by China and Taiwan. In a deal signed Wednesday, Japan agreed to let Taiwanese boats fish in a part of its exclusive economic zone near the islands. They are known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. A Taiwan government statement hailed the deal as enabling the sides to jointly tap the rich resources there.

Taiwan moves closer to setting up China liaison office

Agence France-PresseApril 11, 2013 06:15

Taiwan's cabinet Thursday approved regulations governing the opening of a China liaison office on the island, a priority in efforts to normalise relations with its former enemy. The draft rules will be submitted to parliament this month, said officials from the Mainland Affairs Council which handles cross-strait policy. Despite likely objections from the China-sceptic Democratic Progressive Party and the smaller Taiwan Solidarity Union, the regulations are likely to be passed by the legislature which is controlled by the China-friendly Kuomintang party.

Japan allows Taiwan trawlers to operate in EEZ

AsianetApril 10, 2013 16:48

The Japanese government is making arrangements to allow Taiwanese trawlers to operate in part of Japan's exclusive economic zone near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, several sources close to Japan-Taiwan relations said Tuesday. The Japanese government plans to resume later this month at the earliest fishery talks with Taiwan, which have been suspended since February 2009, to conduct final negotiations over the matter with the Taiwanese side, the sources said. The uninhabited Senkaku Islands, administered by Japan, have soured bilateral relations between Japa

Taiwan compatriots not absent in achieving 'Chinese dream': spokeswoman

AsianetApril 10, 2013 16:47

Taiwan compatriots cannot be absent in realizing the "Chinese dream" of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, a mainland spokeswoman said at a press conference Wednesday. The mainland will actively promote the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and strive to achieve the "Chinese dream" with the help of cross-strait collaboration, according to Fan Liqing, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. Supporting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations has become mainstream opinion in Taiwan in recent years, Fan said, adding th

Japan, Taiwan reach deal to ink fishing pact

AsianetApril 10, 2013 15:16

Japan and Taiwan have reached a deal to allow Taiwanese fishing trawlers to operate in part of Japan's exclusive economic zone near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, sources close to the negotiations said Wednesday. The two sides are expected to formally resume their fishery talks -- suspended since February 2009 -- in Taipei on Wednesday at the earliest and sign the deal, the sources said. Under their agreement, Japan and Taiwan will designate an area in Japan's EEZ as jointly managed waters where reciprocal fishing will be allowed.

Taiwan, Japan sign disputed isles fishing accord

Agence France-PresseApril 10, 2013 09:00

Taiwan and Japan Wednesday signed a fishing rights accord for waters near islands at the centre of a territorial row that has soured ties between Beijing and Tokyo, officials said, with China expressing serious concern about the deal. Under the agreement, Taiwanese trawlers will be permitted to fish in waters off East China Sea islands controlled by Japan as the Senkakus, but also claimed by China and Taiwan as the Diaoyus.

Japan, Taiwan near accord on disputed isles fishery

Agence France-PresseApril 10, 2013 00:16

Japan and Taiwan are close to an agreement on fishing rights for waters near islands at the centre of a territorial row that has soured ties between Beijing and Tokyo, an official said Wednesday. The two sides have agreed in principle to establish a jointly managed zone in waters off islands controlled by Japan under the name Senkakus, but claimed by China and Taiwan as the Diaoyus, the Asahi Shimbun said.