VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHIN #0675 1360934
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 150934Z MAY 08
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8934
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8276
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 9519
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000675
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS
Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news
coverage May 15 on the continuing rescue effort for the Sichuan
earthquake and the humanitarian aid that Taiwan is providing to
China. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the
pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" urged that Taiwan
embrace new thinking in its Asia strategy while the United States'
hegemony in Asia is declining and relations among Asian countries is
taking a new shape. End summary.
"Taiwan Must Find Way in New Asia"
The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation:
20,000] editorialized (5/15):
"... The litmus test for the direction that the PRC will take may
well be its behavior in East and Northeast Asia and, especially, in
the Taiwan Strait.
"Given its weak formal diplomatic position and economic reliance on
China and Japan, Taiwan will face severe challenges in this new
environment and Taiwan policy makers will have to carefully consider
Taiwan's future alternative paths and the possible roles in a
radically new multipolar East Asia.
"Taiwan has long been preoccupied with its domestic political strife
and the tense relations with the PRC and therefore rarely takes
serious note of international affairs.
"Taiwan can no longer afford such narcissism.
"In the short term, the new Kuomintang government should take
advantage of the current climate of regional detente to link the
security of the Taiwan Strait with the question of guarantees for
overall East Asian security and call on the PRC to abandon any use
or the threat of force against Taiwan.
"In the longer term, in East Asia's new multipolar world, Taiwan can
no longer depend solely on the US for its security and must develop
its own capabilities, strategies and voice on regional issues such
as west Pacific security, economic development, climatic change and
democratic development and human rights to build its own influence
and provide a foundation for values-based strategic alliances."
YOUNG