March 27, 2008

U.S. carriers deployed near Taiwan during elections

Two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups were deployed to waters near Taiwan last week to be on guard against any Chinese military action as the island held its presidential election. The Kitty Hawk and Nimitz carriers conducted operations in the western Pacific, U.S. officials said. The Kitty Hawk is set for a port visit to Hong Kong in April. China blocked a visit in November by the carrier to Hong Kong for reasons Beijing has not publicly explained.  (FULL STORY)
The USS Kitty Hawk departs Yokosuka, Japan on March 18.    Reuters/U.S. Navy/Kari R. Bergman

Now, with Ma's election, a Beijing-Taipei rapprochement? Not so fast!

The stunning defeat of Beijing’s long-standing enemy — Taiwan’s pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) — at the presidential polls is perhaps the only piece of good news for the beleaguered Chinese Communist Party (CCP) administration so far this year.
(FULL STORY)
Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party President-elect Ma Ying-jeou gestures after winning Taiwan's presidential election in Taipei, on March 22.    AP/Wally Santana
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