(CATS) Collegium of China and Taiwan Studies

🚨 #Taiwan 🇹🇼 Eyes Advanced Early Warning Aircraft Amid Rising Demand 📸: @NorthropGrumman 1️⃣ 🇹🇼 is revisiting plans to procure E-2D Advanced #Hawkeye aircraft, a step aimed at upgrading its aerial early warning capabilities amid increasing regional tensions. 2️⃣ 🇹🇼 initially considered buying the Advanced Hawkeyes in 2020 but refrained due to high costs. As a single buyer, it lacked the leverage to negotiate better prices. Recent developments have changed the scenario. 3️⃣ #France’s order for three Advanced Hawkeyes in 2021, #Japan’s approval for five in 2023, and the U.S. Navy’s announcement of four more in 2024 have lowered production costs. 🇹🇼 now has a more favorable opportunity to procure these advanced #aircraft. 4️⃣ 🇹🇼 currently operates six E-2K Hawkeyes, upgraded from the older E-2T variant. While these upgrades have extended their capabilities, they fall short of the advanced features offered by the E-2D model. 5️⃣ The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, developed by #Northrop Grumman, boasts enhanced radar, improved battle management capabilities, and faster engagement times. It’s a critical tool for modern threat detection and rapid response. 6️⃣ If procured, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes would significantly enhance 🇹🇼's situational awareness, shorten response times, and improve its ability to counter threats in the #TaiwanStrait and beyond. FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨 🇯🇵 ministers visit to #Beijing paves the way for a security dialogue between 🇨🇳 and 🇯🇵. https://lnkd.in/gbQPJ5QG 1️⃣ #Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met his counterpart Wang Yi where they discussed about having more security and economic dialogue next year. 2️⃣ These nations cooperate on Trade however the overall relationship has been simmering with lack of trust majorly over border disputes and #Taiwan security. 🇯🇵 has been consistent over its resolve of Taiwan contingency in case of any unprecedented move by 🇨🇳. 3️⃣ The two ministers also talked about the ban on import of aquatic products from #Japan. 🇨🇳 imposed the ban in August over spilling of radioactive wastes in the ocean. 4️⃣ 🇯🇵 FM highlighted the cases of 🇯🇵 nationals being detained under 🇨🇳's anti espionage law. He explained that because of this 🇯🇵 people would be scared to visit 🇨🇳 leading to loss of people-to-people connection. 5️⃣ The relations between these two countries have been facing challenges because of internal and external factors and in these times a silver lining would be not only for them but also would provide some respite in the East Asian region. FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨 Challenges and impacts of the budget amendments on #Taiwan's technology and industrial collaborations 1️⃣ Amendments to Taiwan's 🇹🇼 budget law could negatively affect AI and technology development projects with global tech giants due to a projected budget deficit of NT$30 billion. 2️⃣ Collaborations with major semiconductor companies like #Nvidia, #AMD, #Micron, #ASML, #LamResearch, and #Synopsys could be delayed due to reduced government subsidies. 3️⃣ Nvidia and AMD have significant projects in 🇹🇼, including high-bandwidth memory chip production and new R&D centres, which rely on government subsidies. 🇹🇼 risks damaging its reputation and losing appeal to foreign investors if it cannot honour contracts with foreign firms. 4️⃣ The budget cuts could also impact support for an #F16 jet maintenance centre, space industry development, and #6G industry and talent cultivation programs. 5️⃣ Local governments may need to take on more responsibility for building flood prevention and water supply systems due to the ministry's budget constraints. https://lnkd.in/gP5fgxJj FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨#US🇺🇸 launches probe into China's🇨🇳 #semiconductor chip manufacturing industry. 1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trade Representative #KatherineTai announced that 🇺🇸 will investigate 🇨🇳’s practices and policies for #semiconductor industry #dominance. 2⃣ This is in line with #Biden administration’s commitment to American workers and support for 🇺🇸 semiconductor investment. 3️⃣ The trade office exhorted to focus on 🇨🇳’s semiconductor manufacturing & downstream industries. It expressed determination to investigate whether 🇨🇳’s silicon carbide substrate production discriminates or burdens 🇺🇸 commerce. 4⃣ Investigation will be conducted under #Section301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This rule allows 🇺🇸 authorities to investigate trade partners & take legal action against them. 5⃣ 🇨🇳 might significantly increase its mature process capacity. So 🇺🇸 is responding with tariffs to prevent a large influx of these products into its market. FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨 #Taiwan’s Unemployment Rate Drops to Two-Year Low in November 📸: CNA Photo 1️⃣ Taiwan's unemployment rate dropped to 3.36% in November, the lowest in two years. This marks a 0.04% decline from October and is the third consecutive monthly improvement. Over 5,000 fewer people were unemployed compared to the previous month. 2️⃣ In November, 403,000 people in Taiwan reported being unemployed. Deputy Director Tan Wen-ling from DGBAS predicts the rate may fall further in December due to increased holiday shopping ahead of the Lunar New Year. 3️⃣ Unemployment rates vary by age group:  - 15-19: 7.91%  - 20-24: 11.3% (recent graduates seeking first jobs)  - 25-29: 5.85%  - 30-34: 3.46%  The main reason cited for unemployment? Dissatisfaction with employers. 4️⃣ Taiwan's total employed population in November stood at 11.6 million, a 0.25% increase (29,000 people) compared to the same period last year. The labor market continues to show signs of steady growth. 5️⃣ How does Taiwan's unemployment rate compare globally?  - Hong Kong: 3.1%  - South Korea: 2.7%  - Canada: 6.8%  - United States: 4.2%  Taiwan's rate of 3.36% shows regional competitiveness while outperforming many Western economies. 6️⃣ Youth unemployment, especially for those aged 20-24, remains a challenge in Taiwan. Many young graduates are exercising caution while choosing jobs, reflecting a shift in job-seeking behavior. 7️⃣ Taiwan’s labor market is improving, with expectations of further unemployment declines during the holiday season. The economy remains resilient, signaling a positive outlook heading into the new year. FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨 #China 🇨🇳 Condemns #US 🇺🇸 Arms Sales to #Taiwan 🇹🇼, Calls It ‘Playing with Fire’ 📸: @Reuters 1️⃣ 🇨🇳 accuses 🇺🇸 of "playing with fire" after the White House announced $571.3M in military aid & $265M in C4 modernization equipment for 🇹🇼. #Beijing called the move a violation of the one-🇨🇳 principle & a threat to sovereignty. 2️⃣ 🇹🇼's Ministry of Foreign Affairs #MOFA thanked the U.S., stating this was the #Biden administration's 19th arms sale to 🇹🇼. MOFA emphasized the 🇺🇸 commitment to 🇹🇼's security under the Taiwan Relations Act & “Six Assurances.” 3️⃣ 🇨🇳's Foreign Ministry expressed "strong dissatisfaction" over the arms sales, calling them a violation of the 1982 "August 17 #Communique." #Beijing said 🇺🇸 actions send a "seriously wrong signal" to 🇹🇼 independence forces. 4️⃣ Beijing reiterated 🇹🇼 is a core interest and a "red line" in 🇺🇸🇨🇳 relations. The ministry warned the 🇺🇸 that its support for 🇹🇼 would backfire and its strategy of "using 🇹🇼 to contain 🇨🇳" was destined to fail. 5️⃣ The 1982 "August 17 Communique" stated 🇺🇸 arms sales to 🇹🇼 would gradually reduce, provided 🇨🇳 pursued peaceful resolution in the #TaiwanStrait. #Reagan clarified this reduction was conditional on 🇨🇳's peaceful conduct. 6️⃣ 🇹🇼 welcomed 🇺🇸 arms package, highlighting its importance in bolstering defense & stability in the region. MOFA reaffirmed 🇹🇼's commitment to self-defense & its role as a reliable partner to the 🇺🇸. 7️⃣ #Beijing urged the 🇺🇸 to halt arms shipments to 🇹🇼, claiming such moves undermine peace in the #TaiwanStrait. The Taiwan Strait remains a focal point in 🇺🇸🇨🇳tensions, with both sides doubling down on their strategies. FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨 Big news in tech! #Micromax and #Taiwan's #Phison have launched a joint venture, #MiPhi, to design & manufacture AI-enabled storage chip modules in #India. Production has already started at Micromax's Noida facility. 🇮🇳🤝🇹🇼 📸: Bloomberg 1️⃣ Micromax holds a 55% stake in MiPhi, while Phison owns 45%. The focus- Designing storage chipsets for servers—key to national security and strategic independence. A game-changer for 🇮🇳’s tech landscape. 2️⃣ With MiPhi, Micromax aims to reduce GPU costs by 90%, offering the lowest per-token cost globally. This could disrupt the AI landscape in 🇮🇳 and beyond. Commercial shipments are set to begin in early 2025. 3️⃣ 🇮🇳 currently lacks indigenous storage solutions. MiPhi's venture will fill that gap, reducing dependence on foreign tech and boosting local capabilities. "Our concept is 🇮🇳 first, then the world," says Micromax Co-Founder Rahul Sharma. 4️⃣ MiPhi plans to train 1,000 engineers in the next 3 years, with Phison providing technical expertise. The first indigenous design is expected within 2 years—paving the way for AI-adaptive storage solutions. 5️⃣ The venture will also focus on embedded solutions for automobiles, IoT, mobile devices, data centers, and more. Local sales teams will be set up across India to drive this vision forward. 6️⃣ MiPhi is sourcing wafers from existing suppliers to create advanced storage modules. This joint venture could revolutionize India's semiconductor and AI sectors, placing the country at the forefront of global innovation. FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨 🇺🇸 #Senate approves the National Defense Authorization Act which authorizes #Pentagon to provide up to $300 Million in military weapons and training in support of 🇹🇼 1️⃣ The bill already passed by the House of Representatives is going to be signed by Biden in few days before he leaves office. This act provides $895 Billion in annual military spending, boosting the defense forces not just of the 🇺🇸 but also its allies. 2️⃣ It is part which is called the 'Bolster Act', opening way for 🇺🇸 & its European allies to coordinate actions in the case of any attempts frm 🇨🇳 agst 🇹🇼. To fulfill pending orders in def articles & services, bill provides the defense department to seek them from 🇺🇸 inventories. 3️⃣ The NDAA is going to augment 🇹🇼's military anti-ship, air defense, Unarmed Aerial vehicle, Cyber warfare and Intelligence. 4️⃣ Recently, 🇹🇼 received the first batch of 38 M1A2 tanks through the deal finished in 2019. This is the first time since 2001 when the Taiwan has received any armored vehicle from the 🇺🇸, last when it received the M60A3 tank. 5️⃣ For 🇹🇼, the ground forces supported by armored vehicles, artillery guns and aviation will form the fifth line of defense against any 🇨🇳 invasion, explained by Experts. This is going to be the most crucial form of defense in the modern urban warfare scenario. 6️⃣ This bill has deemed significant in the times when 🇺🇸 is "experiencing the most dangerous national security moments since World War II." Any contingency in 🇹🇼 strait is going to be the litmus test for 🇺🇸 global power and its ramifications will affect whole geopolitical order. 7️⃣ Thus, for 🇺🇸 and its allies, especially 🇹🇼, in this case, legislations like this mean a strengthened military and a more credible deterrence against 🇨🇳. FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨 In a historic turn of events #IndiaChina have reached on a six-point consensus during #NSA #Doval's visit to #Beijing. 1️⃣ The two nations agreed upon such an agreement after the border talk between #PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian #NSA Ajit Doval under the meeting of Special representative for China-India Boundary Question. 2️⃣ These six points consensuses involve- 1) Bilateral agreement on handling of border issues in the context of overall relationship. 2) commitment to the mutually acceptable package solution according to the 2005 agreement. 3) refining management rules for the Border areas. 4) promoting resumption of Indian pilgrimage to Xizang and trade at Nathu-la. 5) further strengthen the special representative mechanism. 6) Hold new round special representatives' meetings next year. 3️⃣ The 2005 agreement of final settlement promotes consideration of "Historical evidence, national sentiments, practical difficulties and reasonable concerns and sensitivities of both sides, and the actual state of border areas." 4️⃣ India and China understanding the importance of this issue have already agreed on the peaceful resolution of the border dispute with a more "pragmatic and modern solution." The relationship deteriorated first with Doklam and then the Galwan crisis. 5️⃣ Since then, the relation has suffered, with the Indian side, calling upon the Chinese to make the first move, a call which seems to have been answered. With further meetings and discussion, steps can be made towards normalcy. 6️⃣ Normalcy means more trade, more investment and more public to public exchange which with the advent of Trump era would be crucial for both the nations. FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

🚨 #China allows its #Fujian residents to visit #Matsu and #Kinmen counties 1️⃣ Currently, residents of #China's Fujian Province are allowed to visit Kinmen and Matsu counties in Taiwan by The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism but #Beijing still imposes a travel ban on Taiwan proper. 2️⃣ The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan reiterated that the government's position of welcoming #Chinese🇨🇳 tourists remains unchanged. 3️⃣ #Shanghai Deputy Mayor Hua Yuan announced plans to promote group tours to Taiwan🇹🇼, indicating potential future visits by Shanghai residents. 4️⃣ Taiwan🇹🇼 is waiting for an official announcement from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism regarding the lifting of the travel ban to Taiwan proper as currently, more Taiwanese🇹🇼 visit China🇨🇳 than Chinese🇨🇳 visiting Taiwan🇹🇼. 5️⃣ China’s Taiwan Affairs Office last month said Beijing would consider lifting the travel ban to Taiwan proper & Penghu County if the 🇹🇼 government lifts a ban on group tours to China🇨🇳 and removes the barriers impeding exchanges and partnerships for people across Taiwan Strait. 6️⃣ Chinese🇨🇳 tourists, especially from Shanghai, are expected to significantly benefit Taiwan's tourism industry, particularly exploring central, southern, and eastern regions while 80 of international tourist stay mostly in the capital. https://lnkd.in/g7hDHEA7 FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024