Taiwan News and Current Events

Taiwan News and Current Events in 1999
On a general note, we first present: *The Six Misconceptions. A reality check* for all those who speak or write about developments in Taiwan. Major recent events and issues: *President Lee Teng-hui "Nation-to-nation" relations with China* *Security in the Taiwan Strait* *Chinese stealing nuclear secrets* *Visit of Chinese premier Zhu Rongji* *20 years Taiwan Relations Act* Some major events of the past few years: Washington, 18 June 1998: *"Stand up for Taiwan"* Washington, 29 Oct. 1997: *"Say Yes to Taiwan"* Taipei, 28 June 1997: *"Say No to China"* *"A new flag for a new Taiwan"* *"Let Taiwan join the UN"* For news and events in previous years: See our Overview 1998, Overview 1997 or the Overview 1995 - 1996. *Return to: Taiwan, Ilha Formosa home page*	News items and information on recent, current and upcoming events which touch Taiwan, its people, society, political system, and quest for international recognition.
	Major events and issues in 1999 (the most recent ones first):
	22 December 1999, Washington Times: China building air defense site 11 December 1999, Washington Post: Lee Wen-ho indicted for nuclear spying 9 December 1999, Washington Times: Clinton concerned about Chinese missile threat 8 December 1999, Washington Times: China targets Taiwan with 2nd missile base 6 December 1999, Washington Times China developing new missile submarine 1 December 1999 Text of DPP Policy White Papers 1 December 1999 DPP Chairman Lin Yi-hsiung speaks in Washington 28 November 1999, Washington Times: The missiles of November 23 November 1999, Washington Times U.S. might sell missile shield to aid Taiwan 23 November 1999, Washington Times: China points more missiles at Taiwan News report on the building of a new missile base at Yangang, by Bill Gertz. 19 November 1999 Congress passes Taiwan into the WHO legislation. The Senate unanimously passed its version of HR 1794, a bill calling for Taiwan's "appropriate and meaningful participation in the World Health Organization". 15 November 1999, International Herald Tribune America's relations with China are worseningexcellent editorial by Jim Hoagland. 12 November 1999, Washington Times: President Lee want Clinton to back Taiwan Good backgrounder by veteran-reporter Richard Halloran. 12 November 1999, Washington Times: US Admiral Dennis Blair speaks out. on Theatre Missile Defense and Taiwan's defense. 2 November 1999 In memoriam Gerald Segal. On the passing of Dr. Segal of the IISS in London. The Taiwanese people lost a great friend. 29 October 1999 Taiwan Balancing Act. Excellent editorial in the Wall Street Journal. 26 October 1999 The Taiwan Security Enhancement Act was passed by the International Relations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives by a wide majority. 9 October 1999, International Herald Tribune Let's overcome the old American habit of overrating China excellent OpEd piece by William Pfaff. 25 September 1999 Message to China at 50. Advertisement in the Washington Post by Taoyuan County Magistrate Lü Hsiu-lien, DPP candidate for the Vice-Presidency. 21 September 1999 Earthquake News and Earthquake Relief. Information about the 9-21 Earthquake and how people can help through the Taiwanese Association of America. 20 September 1999, Newsweek How Nixon tricked his way to Beijing. Commentary on a new TV documentary series, "Playing the China Card", to be aired end 1999 / beginning 2000. 19 September 1999, Washington Post The "One China" Myth, letter by former official Carl Ford. September 1999, Newsweek The myth of Chinese power, by Gerald Segal, director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. 13 September 1999, Washington Times It depends on what "one China" means. Excellent article by former State Department official John Tkacik. 12 September 1999 Mr. Clinton at APEC in New Zealand. Making statements at the expernse of Taiwan -- again. 8 September 1999 Jesse Helms: "Let China renounce the use of force". The letter from the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before his New Zealand trip. 2 September 1999 Benjamin Gilman writes to Clinton. The Chair of the House International Relations Committee urges Clinton to call upon Jiang Zemin to renounce the use of force against Taiwan. 29 July 1999 "One China, One Taiwan" resolution (H.Res. 166). introduced in the House of Representatives. 28 July 1999 Chen Shui-bian: "Let Taiwan decide its own future". the DPP party's candidate in Taiwan's upcoming presidential elections said the island should be left alone to decide its political future. 12 July 1999, International Herald Tribune It is not a Chinese world after all article by Hong Kong-based writer Philip Bowring. 12 July 1999 DPP confirms Chen as Presidential candidate The Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party confirmed Mr. Chen Shui-bian as its nominee for the March 2000 presidential election. 1 July 1999The China.com investment scam the upcoming Initial Public Officering (IPO) for the Hong Kong-based company will be quite a scam. 29 June 1999, International Herald Tribune Taiwan and China are drifting apart excellent article by Hong Kong-based writer Philip Bowring. 25 June 1999, New York Times Two victims in embassy bombing were spies article by New York Times reporter Eric Schmitt. 24 June 1999, Los Angeles Times How China Plays the Ethnic Card . article by former FBI official Paul D. Moore. 3 June 1999, Financial Times Submarine-launched missile to be tested. China plans this year to test a submarine-launched ballistic missile with a range of 5,000 miles. 30 May 1999, Washington Post: The China muddle. Excellent OpEd article by Fred Hiatt, arguing for closer U.S. ties with Asia's democracies. 15 May 1999, Weekly Standard Special China Report with good articles such as "A Regime in Crisis" by Arthur Waldron . 15 May 1999, Newsweek Defending Taiwan. Extensive article by Melinda Liu about Taiwan's plans for a missile defense and high-tech warfare. 15 May 1999 Insecure China is Stoking Xenophobic Nationalism. Article by Prof. David Shambaugh about the Chinese reaction to the accidental NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrado. 13 May 1999, Washington Post: Now for an Honest Look at China . The air-launched U.S. rocket blasted a final gaping hole in the shaky foundation of President Clinton's "strategic partnership" with China. 8 May 1999 DPP adopts resolution on Taiwan's Future. At its Party Convention in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party overwhelmingly passed a Resolution on Taiwan's Future. 20 April 1999 Hunger strike. Reports on the hunger strike by 24 major opposition leaders in Taiwan in support of passage of a referendum bill. 24 March 1999 Taiwan Security Enhancement Act. Two prominent US senators introduced a Bill to safeguard Taiwan's Security. 22 March 1999 Time to Rethink U.S.-China Policy. Excellent Op-Ed article in the Paris-based International Herald Tribune. 21 March 1999 A Stand on Taiwan. Excellent OpEd article in the Washington Post by Jim Hoagland. 19 March 1999 China Engagement. Editorial in the Washington Post urging a firmer China policy. 21 February 1999 Jim Mann: "About Face". Book review in the Washington Post by Ross H. Munro. 17 February 1999 President Lee: "Taiwan is Taiwan". At a Lunar New Year gathering is his hometown of Sanchih, President Lee told a festive crowd: "Taiwan is an independent state, Taiwan is Taiwan. This is a clear matter." 16 February 1999 China bullying again The Paris-based International Herald Tribune published an editorial strongly criticizing China for its renewed bullying. 10 February 1999 China increases missile threatThe London-based Financial Times reported that China has sharply increased its deployment of missiles aimed at Taiwan. 9 February 1999 House writes Secretary Albright A bipartisan group of members of the House sent a letter, urging Mrs. Albright to step up U.S. efforts to secure affiliation for Taiwan in the WHO. 3 February 1999 Taiwan Safety and Security Resolution in the House A bipartisan resolution was introduced in the House, strongly urging the Clinton Administration to seek a public renunciation by China of any use of force against Taiwan. 31 January 1999 Taiwan, Macedonia, and East Timor Taiwan now has a foot in the European door, and should strongly support granting full independence to East Timor, and help rebuild that nation. 26 January 1999 China practiced attacks on Taiwan The Washington Times reported that in December 1998, China's army conducted military exercises with simulated missile firings against Taiwan and mock attacks on U.S. troops in the region. 20 January 1999 Senate resolution supports Taiwan into WHO A bipartisan group of six prominent Senators introduced a resolution calling on the US Administration to support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization. 18 January 1999 100 years of autonomy? Why would Taiwan ever accept a fallacious "autonomy" if it can have autonomy forever by moving towards de jure independence? 31 December 1998 China damaged US national security A select committee of the US Congress has concluded that US national security interests were damaged when two US aerospace companies provided China with technical information.