May 18, 2025【Epoch Times】Welcome to the May 16th Friday edition of “News Insight”. In this episode, our guests are Honorary Professor Ming Juzheng from the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University, Professor Guo Yuren, Deputy Dean of the Institute of National Policy, and host Zhang Dongxu.
Today’s Focus: The Difficulty of Fulfilling CCP’s “Opening” Commitments! Trump Targeting Key Points! Beijing’s Failed Attempt at Unity? Xi Jinping Isolated and Unsupported! Putin’s Final Struggle? Taiwan’s Strategic Position Beyond Imagination! Taiwan-US Relations Entering a Phase of “Substantial Integration”?
It appears that the United States is employing multiple strategies to dismantle the CCP’s unrestricted warfare. The tariff battle has shifted to a negotiation phase, requiring Beijing to fully open its market. What does this signify?
Following the US-China tariff talks, President Trump took dual actions by personally visiting the Middle East, securing over 2 trillion US dollars in orders, lifting sanctions on Syria, obtaining concessions from Iran, Hamas willing to release all hostages, and the potential establishment of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Trump dispatched Rudy to preside over Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks, where Putin stood him up. Is Putin waiting for Trump? Or does he not want to negotiate? How might the changing dynamics in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine hotspots affect the First Island Chain?
The CCP participated in Russia’s military parade, glaringly distorting World War II history. Are they preparing for a third war?
Following the US-China talks in Geneva on the 10th and 11th, a joint statement was issued on the 12th, temporarily reducing tariffs on each other by 90% for 90 days, with further negotiations to follow. Economist Xie Tian described Trump’s move to bring China to the negotiation table as akin to the “Normandy Landings” of the Allies during WWII – signifying an imminent difficult negotiation phase between the US and China.
Trump stated that Beijing has agreed to fully open the Chinese market to the US and there will be further negotiations on larger structural issues; portraying Trump as the lead negotiator for the US, he mentioned the possibility of a weekend call with the CCP’s leader to discuss negotiations.
◆ Please ask Professor Ming Juzheng, how does he view the strategic interplay in the US-China talks in Geneva?
US Treasury Secretary Benson stated on the 13th that the US-China agreement has set a good framework for future negotiations of a similar nature, enabling the US and other countries to “build upon the current foundation” without starting from scratch. He mentioned progress with Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Taiwan, emphasizing Taiwan’s presentation of an “excellent plan” during negotiations.
◆ Please ask Professor Guo Yuren how he views the US-China current interaction and the prospects of Taiwan-US negotiations?
During Trump’s visit to the Gulf states, he received high-profile treatment, secured significant investments and procurement orders, and finalized the largest arms sales deal in history. Trump made significant announcements, including the removal of sanctions on Syria and presenting Syria with four demands; Iran’s willingness to make major concessions on its nuclear program in exchange for a lift on sanctions.
◆ Please ask Professor Ming Juzheng for his observations on the strategic significance of Trump’s trip?
The Ukraine-Russia negotiations took place in Turkey on the 15th, where Putin stood up Rudy. Prior to this, Trump and European leaders had pressured Putin for a ceasefire. As a result, Putin proposed a meeting with the Ukrainian side in Turkey on the 15th; with Zelensky announcing attendance following Trump’s public encouragement and Trump hinting at a possible personal presence to facilitate Putin’s participation.
However, Putin stood Rudy up, only sending a low-ranking delegation. However, the Kremlin stated, “It’s too early to conclude whether Putin will participate in future negotiations.” Trump remarked, “Putin thought Trump wouldn’t come, so he didn’t come either. There will be no progress until Trump and Putin meet.”
◆ With the US-Ukraine reaching a mineral agreement, the possibility of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine may increase significantly. A potential trilateral summit involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine may be on the horizon. Please ask Professor Guo Yuren how he perceives Putin’s calculations, the possible role of the CCP backstage, and whether this might affect how Trump handles the Russia-Ukraine war and the US-China trade war?
Was the Soviet Union’s aid to China during the war against Japan a lie? Evidence of the CCP colluding with foreign countries to seize power exposed! Lai Ching-te’s Victory Day speech shockingly impacts the international community! Revealing the truth of history!
On May 9, 2025, a former Soviet T-34 tank participated in the Moscow Red Square parade. CCP leader Xi Jinping has repeatedly described the Sino-Soviet cooperation 80 years ago as “fighting side by side,” distorting history. A week before Japan surrendered, Soviet forces occupied Northeast China, and the Communist forces arrived to share the spoils.
◆ Please ask Professor Ming Juzheng, did China and Russia ever “fight side by side” against Japan during the War of Resistance? Why is the CCP making such claims?
The CCP attended the Russian military parade. On May 8th, the ROC government, for the first time, delivered a speech on the victory in WWII in Europe, inviting representatives from 17 countries including the US, Europe, and Asia, as well as the EU – a rather rare occurrence. A week later, on the 14th, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CCP attacked the speech made by the ROC President as supposedly “distorting the history of World War II.” Some netizens found it odd that at the end of WWII, the PRC had not yet emerged; the founding nation of the United Nations was the ROC.
◆ Please ask Professor Guo Yuren to interpret the standoff between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait during the 80th anniversary of World War II, with the CCP bringing Russia and the ROC government having EU representatives and delegates of 17 major countries involved. Is this related to the current new Cold War, the confrontation between the free world and communism?
The US-Philippines annual “Shoulder-to-Shoulder” military exercise concluded on May 9, with this year’s scale being quite large, accompanied by troops from five countries (Australia, Japan, UK, Canada, France) and observer roles from 16 countries. The US military recently confirmed that the Hamas rocket system units have been stationed in the Philippines since 2022. A Philippine Navy spokesperson publicly acknowledged military engagement with Taiwan for the first time and expressed intentions to deepen military cooperation with Taiwan; prompting the CCP to summon the Philippine Ambassador. Please ask Professor Guo Yuren for his observations?
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