VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #1735/01 3500944
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 150944Z DEC 08
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0571
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8798
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0258

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001735 
 
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: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS, OBAMA'S NOMINATION 
OF STEVEN CHU 
 
¶1. Summary:  Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused 
December 13-15 news coverage on former President Chen Shui-bian's 
 
indictment and on the launching of the "big three links," namely, 
air, sea and postal service directly between Taiwan and mainland 
China.  In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the 
pro-independence "Liberty Times" alleged that the launching of the 
big three links is a significant step of the Ma Ying-jeou 
administration's march toward Taiwan's ultimate unification with 
China.  Another editorial in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" 
held a more positive view on the big three links, urging that every 
sector in Taiwan seize the opportunity to create a new scope of 
cross-Strait relations.  Regarding United States President-elect 
Barack Obama's nomination of Nobel laureate Steven Chu to be energy 
secretary, an editorial in the conservative, pro-unification, 
English-language "China Post" applauded Obama's decision.  End 
summary. 
 
¶2. Cross-Strait Relations 
 
A) "Ma Ying-jeou's Launch of the Big Three Links aA Significant Step 
Toward the Ultimate Unification" 
 
The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 720,000] 
editorialized (12/15): 
 
"... Frankly speaking, the Ma [Ying-jeou] Administration's launch of 
the big three links [air, sea and postal service] between Taiwan and 
China at this juncture was out of accord with the law.  [They] 
apparently violated current laws and regulations, such as the 
Regulations Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan 
Area and the People of the Mainland China Area, and created a 
serious threat to Taiwan's security.  Furthermore, in terms of the 
economy, [the launch of the big three links] will not only fail to 
bring about the full efficiency the Ma Administration expected, but 
also will wallop Taiwan's sluggish economy because of [Taiwan's] 
hasty leaning toward China.  In other words, the Ma administration's 
use of the three links as a remedy for its incompetence in 
governance, which is similar to a drowning man catching at a straw, 
is not only not an antidote, but also could be the poison that will 
kill Taiwan's economy. ..." 
 
"We are especially worried that once the to-and-fro travel time 
between Taiwan and major Chinese cities, such as Shanghai, is 
reduced to a single day, Taiwan will tilt toward China even more 
than before....In the long run, Taiwan and China will form a 
relationship that is, though not in name unification, unification in 
reality.  Everything in Taiwan will be under China's full control. 
..." 
 
B) "Greet the New Scope of Cross-Strait Relations after the Big 
Three Links" 
 
The centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" [circulation: 220,000] 
editorialized (12/15): 
 
"... Indeed, while the whole world is falling into a rare, 
one-hundred year financial tsunami and economic slowdown, no one can 
guarantee that the launch of the big three links [air, sea and 
postal service between Taiwan and China] can change anything 
immediately.  After all, the mainland is also facing the challenge 
of economic downturn.  However, this [the launch of the big three 
links] is, in the end, an opportunity.  The cabinet's finacial and 
economic officials, leaders of industries, etc., should all think 
about how to take advantage of this rare historic opportunity at 
this juncture and re-draft strategies for  industries to be 
competitive.  For example, in terms of government policy, 
[government officials] should think about how to take advantage of 
the opportunity of China increasing its internal demand so as to 
attract Taiwan businessmen and foreign enterprises to establish 
headquarters in Taiwan; how to develop [Taiwan] as an operations 
center, and a planning and management center.  Individual industry 
should think about how to establish a whole new strategy regarding 
the division of labor vertically and horizontally through an overall 
re-arrangement in the region.  The planning of these tasks should be 
initiated as soon as possible after the launch of the big three 
links today." 
 
¶3. Obama's Nomination of Steven Chu 
 
"Two Cheers for Steven Chu" 
 
The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" 
[circulation: 30,000] editorialized (12/13): 
 
"... As Obama has made climate change and energy independence a 
central theme in his campaign platform, his selection of Dr. Chu 
(Zhu Diwen in pinyin) as the core of his energy team deserves two 
cheers for putting the best man on the right job and for his vision 
OF STEVEN CHU 
 
and farsightedness.  The 1997 Nobel laureate is an academician in 
both Taiwan's Academia Sinica and mainland China's Academy of 
Sciences.  Dr. Chu will be the second Chinese-American cabinet 
member of the U.S. government since Elaine Chao (Zhao Xiaolan in 
pinyin), the departing secretary of labor. ... 
 
"With such a selfless leader who taps the country's best and 
brightest to surround him, the revival of America can be 
anticipated, although he has warned against over expectations, 
saying, 'the economy is likely to get worse before it gets better.' 
No wonder that his approval ratings have soared to 73%.  Will the 
euphoria prove ephemeral as in the case of our President Ma 
Ying-jeou?  Probably not, because Ma's selection of his transition 
team was flawed and controversial from the onset.  Obama is bring 
change to America, together with hope and confidence." 
 
YOUNG