On March 14th, the focus of the news is on the escalating strategic relationship between Taiwan and the United States, with the question raised, “Is the Chinese Communist Party crying out of frustration?” What does it mean for Taiwan to engage in parallel actions with major world powers? Both the US and China are playing the Taiwan card. Is Putin unable to continue and expressing willingness to cease fire? Is Europe leaning towards the US or China?
As the so-called “Anti-Secession Law” of the Chinese Communist Party approaches its 20th anniversary, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lai Ching-te publicly stated on the 13th that the CCP is an “external hostile force” and proposed 17 countermeasures to the entire populace in response to the CCP’s united front infiltration and aggression. On the same day, Belgian prosecutors conducted searches in 21 locations across multiple European countries to investigate the closely affiliated Chinese company Huawei with the Chinese military.
Trump has hinted at imposing extreme pressure on Russia. Will Putin agree to a ceasefire? The CCP, along with Russia and Iran, held a trilateral military exercise on the 14th to discuss nuclear issues. What is their agenda?
In negotiations between the US and Ukraine, a 30-day ceasefire proposal involving land, sea, and air has been put forward, with US special envoys likely to have visited Moscow already. Trump’s warning to Putin of devastating consequences if he does not agree to a ceasefire was met with Putin’s conditional acceptance, expressing a desire to discuss with Trump. Putin even made a rare move by inspecting the front line in military attire, demanding the Ukrainian troops withdraw.
Ukrainian President Zelensky questioned whether Putin is unwilling to cease fire yet afraid to confront Trump. Earlier, the Washington Post reported on an internal document from a Moscow think tank in February, suggesting that Russia may have alternative plans and might not accept Trump’s peace proposal.
On March 14th, the Chinese Communist Party marked the 20th anniversary of the so-called “National Anti-Secession Law.” The day before, President Lai Ching-te, following a high-level national security meeting, addressed the nation, stating that the CCP’s continuing expansion of its so-called “integration and development” strategy towards Taiwan by various means was defined as “external hostile forces” under the “Anti-Infiltration Law.” Lai Ching-te emphasized, “We have no choice but to take more proactive actions.”
Professor Ming Chien-cheng just mentioned that Taiwan is taking parallel actions with democratic countries. Coincidentally, on the same day the Taiwanese government announced 17 counter-strategies against the CCP, on March 13th, Belgian prosecutors conducted searches in 21 locations across multiple European countries, investigating the closely affiliated Chinese company Huawei, which was accused of its lobbyists allegedly bribing several Members of the European Parliament.
Trump previously called on Iran to abandon nuclear weapons development in a letter. Iran’s stance seems to have softened. However, the CCP announced a trilateral meeting between China, Russia, and Iran on March 14th regarding the issue of Iranian nuclear weapons. Moreover, China, Russia, and Iran also conducted joint military exercises.
The CCP’s political sessions saw Foreign Minister Wang Yi adopting a wolf warrior stance during a press conference on the 7th, threatening the United States, Japan, and intensifying suppression on Taiwan, labeling it as the “sole nomenclature for Taiwan.” CCP official media played up the rhetoric.
How does Professor Ming Chien-cheng interpret this?
The US imposing steel and aluminum tariffs and looming retaliatory tariffs in early April are seen as actual containment of the CCP’s global dumping practices. However, the EU, being affected, has countered with retaliatory tariff measures against the US. Additionally, Trump’s involvement in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict process has triggered an acceleration of remilitarization plans in Europe.
What are Professor Zheng Chin-mo’s observations on the division of labor between the US and Europe in terms of tariff trade and security issues? As Europe increasingly heads towards autonomy, how does he view US-EU relations and EU-Chinese relations?
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