Misblog

Originally Published March 22, 2008; Last Updated January 14, 2010; Last Republished January 14, 2010:

Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian is overwhelmingly defeated by Kuomintang (KMT) candidate and incoming Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou.

Ying has promised to work closer with mainland China, which may reduce the tensions built up by the outgoing president's repeated efforts to highlight Taiwan's independence.

Web:

• UPDATED 01/14/2010 NYT, Taiwan Says US Arms Will Help Ties With China.

  "Procuring arms from the United States is for the country's security and defense so that Taiwan can feel more confident and stronger in the process of reconciling and negotiating with mainland China,...We thank the U.S. for its long-term support."--Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council"

• UPDATED 12/10/2009 UPIAsia, Cross-strait political dialogue expected in 2010
• UPDATED 12/10/2009 Reuters, China says opposed to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and Taiwan Today, Military optimistic on US arms sales to Taiwan.

• UPDATED 06/11/2009 UPI, China welcomes Ma's likely party post.

  A fascinating and intriguing ballet is being written—perhaps a great opéra-ballet?

• Opposition's Ma sweeps to Taiwan presidential victory