IN FOCUS
By Avishka Ashok

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen's address: Five Takeaways

BLURB: On the occasion of the National Day of Taiwan, the President delivered a speech from the Presidential Office building, highlighting Taiwan's past challenges and future obstacles.

On 10 October, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivered an address titled "Forging a Stronger Consensus: Standing United to Protect Taiwan" on the occasion of Taiwan's National Day. The speech shed light on five different contemporary issues facing Taiwan in the coming years.

COVID-19 recovery
President Tsai first highlighted the international pandemic cooperation and appreciated the Taiwanese spirit for fighting challenges unitedly. She also expressed her gratitude to the country's medical system and frontline workers for taking on the unknown dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also thanked Japan, the US, Lithuania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland for supplying Taiwan with vaccines.

China's influence on the international system
While outlining the unprecedented challenges faced by Taiwan due to the complex regional landscape President Tsai emphasized the changing political structure of the international system. She also cautioned her fellow citizens against the incoming pressures from China. She urged the Taiwanese people to not let their guard down against China and work towards the country's development and growth. She also reiterated Taiwan's position on the Taiwan strait issues and urged China to resolve them through peaceful means. President Tsai strongly explained that Taiwan would not bow down to China, regardless of their military superiority and show of power in the ADIZ.

Renewing commitments to ensure continuity of democracy 
On the special occasion, President Tsai guided the country to renew the commitment to upholding a free and democratic constitutional system, to resisting subordination and annexation to the People's Republic of China and to take into consideration the will of the Taiwanese people while making decisions for the future of Taiwan.

Taiwan's roadmap to economic development 
The speech also elucidated Taiwan's path ahead and encouraged the people to establish a strong foundation for the country's economic growth along with bringing about bold reforms in the society. She motivated the people to continuously have an open mind towards legislative amendments, bureaucratic changes, land use, regional developments, and help in making the government more efficient and transparent.

Taiwan's international footprint
Lastly, she accentuated Taiwan's participation in international platforms and engagements with the rest of the world. She appreciated the Taiwanese athletes who participated in the Tokyo Olympics and the Taiwanese Air Force who had been busy preparing for the National Day.

The Chinese State Council Taiwan Affairs Office reacted to President Tsai's speech and said: "Tsai's remarks incite confrontation, distort facts, mislead the public in the name of so-called unity and consensus, while colluding with external forces to seek independence." The spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office commented on Tsai's call to resolve issues and said: "We are willing to settle disputes under the one-China principle and work jointly to push forward the process of peaceful reunification and contribute to a peaceful development of cross-Strait relations."

References:

"President Tsai delivers 2021 National Day Address," Office of the President Republic of China, 10 October 2021

"China slams Tsai Ing-wen's speech, says China must be reunified," CGTN, 10 October 2021

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar   

INTERNAL
China issues new outline on national-level standardized development 
On 10 October, the Communist Party of the China Central Committee along with the State Council issued a new outline to promote national standard development. The outline emphasized high-quality modernization. It laid guidelines on detailed measures to attain the long-term development goals of China by 2035. The document sets standards for the government, market, industries and all economic sectors. It also stressed on deepening international cooperation based on standardization work. ("China issues outline to promote standardized national development," Xinhua Net, 10 October 2021)

China's giant energy roadblock ahead
On 11 October, Caixin Global, a Chinese media group covered a story on China's giant energy shortage. China is facing the worst power crunch in the past two decades amid the post-pandemic recovery along with the governments' mission for the carbon emission reduction program. The crisis surged in late September; many parts of China experienced severe electricity shortages. This pushed local regulatory bodies to ration electricity by imposing power cuts on industries and residents. This led to a dive in the production of textile, steel, and other factories disrupting the global supply chains. China's 70 per cent of electricity is driven from coal-fired power generations. The situation is further complicated as winter falls, which will interfere with China's carbon neutrality goals. According to the China Electricity Council, nonfossil fuel options like hydropower and nuclear are expected to account for 47.3 per cent by the end of 2021. With the ongoing pressure to meet the energy targets, China has to restructure its system to tackle the giant energy shortage. ("Cover Story: How China Stumbled Into a Giant Energy Shortage", Caixin Global, 11 October 2021) 

PLA Air force aims for quicker and efficient fighter jets
On 10 October, Global Times reported on the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) objective to train new pilots for fighter jets which will enable the jets to move more quickly and efficiently. The flight academy will now use J-10 fighter jets to train the pilot cadets. The new advanced technologies include aerial combat, combat relocation, and live fire attack. ("PLA Air Force academy gets J-10 fighters, trains elite pilots faster," Global Times, 10 October 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
China vows to include biodiversity in economic plans as COP15 meet opens
On 11 October, the first part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties on UN Convention on Biodiversity (COP15) opened. The meeting will proceed till 15 October in Kunming, Yunnan in China. Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng said at the meeting that China would create a national conservation strategy. He also mentioned that China would include biodiversity protection in the developmental planning of all regions and sectors. The second half of the meeting is scheduled for next year. ("First part of COP15 meeting to open Monday in southwest China," Xinhua Net, 11 October 2021; "China vows to include biodiversity in economic plans as UN talks begin," Reuters, 11 October 2021)

Chinese delegation objects to draft resolution on the death penalty at UNHRC
On 11 October, Global Times reported on the stance presented by the Chinese delegation on the death penalty at United Nations Human Rights Council. The delegation objected to the draft resolution and further promised to vote against it. The delegation said that the death penalty is a legal and judicial issue falling under the sovereignty of the country. China also opposed "turning a judicial issue into a human rights issue" and also stressed the consideration of cultural, economic, and social development of a country while discussing the matter. China's Criminal Law retains the death penalty with strict controls and applies it prudently. ("China objects UNHRC draft resolution on death penalty," Global Times, 11 October 2021)

China and Australia's Taiwan friction
On 11 October, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made strong statements on the comments made by Tony Abbot, former Australian Prime Minister on Taiwan. "The relevant words and actions by the Australian politician go against the One China Principle and send a seriously wrong signal." He further added, "China is firmly opposed to this. We have made stern representations to Australia." Abbot during his visit to Taiwan expressed his opinions on China's incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and said, "It is in large measure to try to help to end this isolation from which Taiwan has been suffering for so many decades that I am here in this country and I do hope that this will be the first of many visits." ("China lodges stern representations with Australia on Taiwan comments," Reuters, 11 October 2021: "Tony Abbott tells Taiwan president democracies must 'stand shoulder to shoulder' against China," The Guardian, 7 October 2021)

ON INDIA
Global Times writes China-India fail to reach a consensus in the military talks due to "unreasonable demands"
On 11 October, a Global Times report hinted at emerging risks of new conflict as China-India wind up 13th military-level talks. The Western Theater Command of the Chinese People Liberation's Army called India's demands unrealistic and unreasonable. Troop disengagement was discussed yet again during the talks; however, China maintains that it has taken much effort to cool the situation. This was the 13th round of corps commander level talks at the Moldo-Chusbil border. ("UPDATE: India's unreasonable demands in 13th military talks' risk new conflict'," Global Times, 11 October 2021)