China Reform Monitor: No. 989

September 4:

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has increased the number of ballistic and cruise missiles aimed at Taiwan from 1,400 last year to more than 1,600 this year, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) 2012 report on China’s Military Power. It said the PLA has deployed advanced, medium-range Dong Feng-16 (DF-16) missiles to complement the arsenal of DF-11 and DF-15 short-range missiles threatening Taiwan. To deter the U.S. or other countries from interfering in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the PLA has also installed DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles and DF-31A ICBMs armed with nuclear warheads, the Taipei Times reports.

Taiwan has deployed 120-mm mortars and 40-mm anti-aircraft guns and conducted live fire exercises on Taiping Island, the largest of the disputed Spratly Islands. Lin Yu-fang chairman of the National Yuan’s (parliament’s) Diplomacy and National Defense Committee and two other legislators inspected the island and observed the drills. Lin announced that Taiwan’s state-run oil company, CPC Corp, would explore for oil and natural gas on Taiping Island and, if necessary, will cooperate with foreign oil companies, Taiwan’s official Central News Agency reports.

September 7:

Taiwan’s president, Ma Ying-jeou, made his first-ever visit to Pengjia Islet near the disputed Tiaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea, Focus Taiwan News Channel reports. Ma arrived by helicopter, escorted by two Mirage 2000-5 fighter aircraft to the islet, which lies 33 nautical miles off Taiwan’s northernmost tip and 76 nautical miles west of the Tiaoyutais. He praised Taiwan’s Coast Guard forces stationed there for defending Taiwan’s sovereignty and emphasized his “East China Sea Peace Initiative,” which advocates shelving differences, pursuing peace and reciprocity, and working together to explore resources. The “Taiwan leader’s” visit was also covered in a brief Xinhua announcement.

September 8:

On September 3 Ming Pao reported that the Communist Party of China’s week-long 18th Party Congress will start between October 15 and 18 and the Seventh Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee will be held three days prior to the Congress. The final announcement has not been made because of last minute negotiations for top positions. The Hong Kong newspaper also reported that two new Politburo Standing committee leadership lineups are still under consideration. Both lineups include Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Yuanchao, Wang Qishan, and Wang Yang. But one list has Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang and Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng and the other has Tianjin Party Secretary Zhang Gaoli and claims that Yu and State Councilor Liu Yandong are still in contention for the last seat. The September 1 edition of the party’s journal Qiushi, or Seeking Truth, included an article by Yu on how Shanghai has become a leading global metropolis under President Hu Jintao’s theory of “scientific development.” The article’s timing, just ahead of the party congress, suggests Yu has secured a Politburo seat, the South China Morning Post reports. The Tibetan Task Force on Negotiations will meet in Dharamsala, India after China’s new leadership takes office. The dialogue has been stalled since 2010 and in June, two of the Dalai Lama’s special envoys in talks with Beijing since 2002 resigned citing the deteriorating conditions in Tibet and frustration with Beijing. Tibet’s government-in-exile also “welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent call on the Chinese government to resume serious dialogue with the Tibetan leadership.”

September 9:

Hong Kong has scrapped its plan to implement mainland-style “Moral and National Education” (MNE) at schools, a move to appease local opponents who have been protesting for weeks. Hong Kong’s government had earlier announced that to foster national pride within three years all local schools must adopt the MNE curriculum. Under the amended policy, however, schools will decide whether or not to include it. “The government will not during its term impose any so-called ‘deadline’ for implementing this subject,” said a government statement covered by Korea’s Yonhap news agency. Since late July tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents have come out into the streets on weekends demanding the government cancel its plan to launch the MNE, which they called Beijing’s attempt to brainwash Hong Kong residents and put them under its control. “