[{"_1":2,"_286":-5,"_287":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_284":285},"root",{"_5":6,"_14":15},"fb",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":8},"apiKey","AIzaSyAdxqOaB63feHHqSm_nZCKsSHpSAcxkct8","authDomain","thediplomat.firebaseapp.com","projectId","firebase-thediplomat","appId","ga",true,"routes/$issue",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"slug","2016-02","path","/2016-02","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-K8w-PM3nae3i1BHmrVj","title","Taiwan’s Elections, China’s Response and America’s Policy","description","This month’s cover story considers the implications of the recent election in Taiwan, and the likely responses in China and the U.S. We also look at the landmark comfort women deal between Japan and South Korea, cover the ongoing corruption scandal surrounding Malaysia’s prime minister, and consider the “bromance” between Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his New Zealand counterpart, John Key. And, of course, we offer a range of reporting, analysis and opinion from across the region.","masthead","

\nPublisher\nTrans-Asia Inc.
\n701 Ebisu MF Bldg.
\n4-6-1 Ebisu Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
\n150-0013, Japan\n

\nEditor\nJames Pach\n

\nTechnical & Design\nStefan Yanku\n

\nManaging Editor\nShannon Tiezzi\n

\nAssociate Editors\nAnkit Panda
\nPrashanth Parameswaran
\nFranz-Stefan Gady\n

\nSpecial Projects Editor\nCatherine Putz\n

\nEditorial Assistants\nBochen Han
\nBenjamin David Baker\n

\nContributing Editors\nJin Kai
\nKerry Brown
\nElizabeth Economy
\nBo Zhiyue
\nXie Tao
\nDavid Volodzko
\nZheng Wang
\nCarl Thayer
\nHarsh V. Pant
\nRohan Joshi
\nDingding Chen
\nRobert Farley
\nGreg Austin
\nVan Jackson
\nLuke Hunt
\nMong Palatino
\nShawn Crispin
\nSteven Denney
\nJohn Power
\nCasey Michel
\nAkhilesh Pillalamarri
\nTaylor Dibbert
\nAnthony Fensom
\nSara Hsu
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nAngelica O. Tang
\nYuki Tatsumi
\nMina Pollmann
\nGraham Webster
\nBradley Jardine
\nMuhammad Akbar Notezai\n

","number",15,"date","February 2016","month",2,"year",2016,"status","rdy","toc",[44,59,75,83,109,133,158,183,208,229,250,267],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"CVRS","priority",0,"Cover Story","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":27},"-K8w-QHbgVPOAiz7T1YC","lead","

In the wake of the election, the future of cross-strait relations is even more uncertain.

","model","story","preview",1,{"_24":60,"_46":58,"_26":61,"_49":62},"LDS","Leads",[63,67,71],{"_24":64,"_53":65,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":66},"-K8w-QHbgVPOAiz7T1YD","

Can it last?

","The Japan-South Korea Comfort Women Deal",{"_24":68,"_53":69,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":70},"-K8w-QHrBGSKOvvXxhTn","

The 1MDB scandal has drawn attention to corruption in Malaysia, but is it enough to spark reform?

","Malaysia After the Scandal",{"_24":72,"_53":73,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":74},"-K8w-QHrBGSKOvvXxhTo","

The leaders of Australia and New Zealand are enjoying a political bromance.

","Oceania: The Key And Turnbull Show",{"_24":76,"_46":37,"_26":77,"_49":78},"INT","Interview",[79],{"_24":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":82},"-K8w-QHrBGSKOvvXxhTp","

North Korea tested another nuclear device in January. Now What?

","Van Jackson",{"_24":84,"_46":85,"_26":86,"_49":87},"CHN",3,"China",[88,92,96,100,104],{"_24":89,"_53":90,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":91},"-K8w-QHrBGSKOvvXxhTq","

To truly change Beijing’s approach to the Korean nuclear issue, U.S. analysts must first clearly understand and address China’s interests in North Korea.

","Changing China’s Mind on North Korea",{"_24":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":95},"-K8w-QHrBGSKOvvXxhTr","

China’s brand of exceptionalism is colored by a century of “national humiliation.”

","Chinese Exceptionalism, National Humiliation, and the ‘China Dream’",{"_24":97,"_53":98,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":99},"-K8w-QHrBGSKOvvXxhTs","

The first “Arab Policy Paper” provides Beijing’s official vision for China-Middle East relations.

","China's Blueprint for Building Middle East Relations",{"_24":101,"_53":102,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_40":41,"_26":103},"-K8w-QHrBGSKOvvXxhTt","

China understands fundamental concepts like “the market” and “shareholders” far differently than the rest of the world does.

","The Parallel Universe of Chinese Stock Markets",{"_24":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":107,"_40":41,"_26":108},"-K8w-QI6i1Ur9UhmzsvU","

After a love-hate relationship with Bitcoin, China has moved on to pursue its own digital currency.

",4,"Move Over, Bitcoin: China Wants to Issue Its Own Digital Currency",{"_24":110,"_46":107,"_26":111,"_49":112},"NEA","Northeast Asia",[113,117,121,125,129],{"_24":114,"_53":115,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":116},"-K8w-QI6i1Ur9UhmzsvV","

After a breakthrough on the comfort women issue, how will Tokyo and Seoul look to bolster their cooperation?

","What’s Next for Japan-South Korea Relations?",{"_24":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":120},"-K8w-QI6i1Ur9UhmzsvW","

Korea’s national trade union squares off against the Ministry of Employment over new guidelines.

","Korean Trade Unions Protest New Employment Guidelines",{"_24":122,"_53":123,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":124},"-K8w-QI6i1Ur9UhmzsvX","

Young South Koreans are more likely to be hawkish toward North Korea – particularly in the face of provocations.

","Young South Koreans’ Realpolitik Attitude Towards the North",{"_24":126,"_53":127,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_40":41,"_26":128},"-K8w-QI6i1Ur9UhmzsvY","

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force will now respond when Chinese vessels enter the territorial waters of the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.

","Japan's MSDF Will Help Guard Disputed Islands From Chinese Warships",{"_24":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":107,"_40":41,"_26":132},"-K8w-QI6i1Ur9UhmzsvZ","

In its harsh response to the test, Moscow has its eye on a strategic victory.

","Russia, Japan and North Korea’s Nuclear Test",{"_24":134,"_46":135,"_26":136,"_49":137},"SOA",5,"South Asia",[138,142,146,150,154],{"_24":139,"_53":140,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":141},"-K8w-QI6i1Ur9Uhmzsv_","

Strife between secularism and Islamism in Bangladesh began to proceed with gusto in 2010, and intensified in 2013.

","Battling for Secularism in Bangladesh",{"_24":143,"_53":144,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":145},"-K8w-QILtFQCswauMGqK","

Residents of New Delhi are literally choking to death. Can authorities solve the pollution problem?

","India: Trouble in the Air",{"_24":147,"_53":148,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":149},"-K8w-QINaA4tTdv_Kkqw","

Sri Lanka’s recent democratic gains are real; so are the challenges that lie ahead.

","Sri Lanka’s Circuitous Road to Reform",{"_24":151,"_53":152,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_40":41,"_26":153},"-K8w-QIPh-zE3luiyeQA","

For the religious rivals, Afghanistan is another front in the fight for influence.

","Iran and Saudi Arabia in Afghanistan",{"_24":155,"_53":156,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":107,"_40":41,"_26":157},"-K8w-QIQJI934gSaKJRi","

By labeling TOLOnews a foreign “intelligence network” the Taliban are trying to justify the murder of civilians.

","Taliban: Attack on Journalists Not an Attack on Journalists",{"_24":159,"_46":160,"_26":161,"_49":162},"SEA",6,"Southeast Asia",[163,167,171,175,179],{"_24":164,"_53":165,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":166},"-K8w-QIRFR1GIEJ0UA2T","

If all goes according to plan, trains are expected to start operating in early 2019

","Indonesia Breaks Ground on China-Backed High-Speed Rail Project",{"_24":168,"_53":169,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":170},"-K8w-QISqSDxOKBeVQiU","

The prime minister plans to push through more than a dozen locally controversial power plant projects using executive orders.

","Power Over People in Thailand",{"_24":172,"_53":173,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":174},"-K8w-QIU0RfXT8_Js_A6","

To understand the group, look at its other tactics.

","Beyond Bombings: The Islamic State in Southeast Asia",{"_24":176,"_53":177,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_40":41,"_26":178},"-K8w-QIVZaIz2ZbKMuQV","

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights is on the front lines of challenging the junta’s clampdown on abuses against the monarchy.

","Fighting Thailand’s Lèse-Majesté Crackdown",{"_24":180,"_53":181,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":107,"_40":41,"_26":182},"-K8w-QIVZaIz2ZbKMuQW","

As the Philippines prepares to go to the polls later this year, here’s a closer look at what’s at stake.

","7 Things to Know About the 2016 Philippine Elections",{"_24":184,"_46":185,"_26":186,"_49":187},"CEA",7,"Central Asia",[188,192,196,200,204],{"_24":189,"_53":190,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":191},"-K8w-QIVZaIz2ZbKMuQX","

The region’s first 25 years of independence were more peaceful than many expected. Peace for the next 25 is not guaranteed.

","Can Central Asia’s Peace Persist?",{"_24":193,"_53":194,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":195},"-K8w-QIVZaIz2ZbKMuQY","

The region’s economic turmoil has two causes: Russia and oil.

","Central Asia’s Economic Malaise",{"_24":197,"_53":198,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":199},"-K8w-QIVZaIz2ZbKMuQZ","

Soviet infrastructure linked the region only to Moscow. Will Chinese infrastructure start connecting it to the world?

","Can China Fix Central Asia's Soviet Rail Legacy?",{"_24":201,"_53":202,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_40":41,"_26":203},"-K8w-QIVZaIz2ZbKMuQ_","

Ukraine is going to try shipping via Georgia and Azerbaijan instead.

","From Ukraine to Kazakhstan, Avoiding Russia",{"_24":205,"_53":206,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":107,"_40":41,"_26":207},"-K8w-QIVZaIz2ZbKMuQa","

Beyond security, there’s the basic issue of supply.

","CASA-1000: Finalized or Fantasy?",{"_24":209,"_46":210,"_26":211,"_49":212},"OCE",8,"Oceania",[213,217,221,225],{"_24":214,"_53":215,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":216},"-K8w-QJp2JSxv-4P5aZF","

Rumors abound that Canberra is soon to step into a sensitive area.

","Australia to Conduct Freedom of Navigation Patrols?",{"_24":218,"_53":219,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":220},"-K8w-QJqlr9nFs-jioj5","

After a year of destruction, both physical and political, Vanuatu hopes to move on.

","Snap Elections in Vanuatu",{"_24":222,"_53":223,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":224},"-K8w-QJrn-7NIDLh1ZS0","

What happens in Hong Kong doesn’t apparently stay in Hong Kong.

","Harassment Scandal Pushes Australian Minister to the Backbench",{"_24":226,"_53":227,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_40":41,"_26":228},"-K8w-QJsFv_362Gso_bp","

While in the United States, Australia’s PM focused mostly on the anti-ISIS campaign.

","US, Australia Focus on Islamic State During Turnbull’s First Visit to Washington",{"_24":230,"_46":231,"_26":232,"_49":233},"SCR",9,"Security",[234,238,242,246],{"_24":235,"_53":236,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":237},"-K8w-QJvjxiLNI38oamg","

The combat power of Russia’s Far Eastern Fleet is slated to increase this year.

","Russia’s Submarine Force in the Pacific in 2016",{"_24":239,"_53":240,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":241},"-K8w-QJxCBvt7dXVF8E8","

As the country builds its first indigenous carrier, what might it have in mind?

","China’s Aircraft Carrier Ambitions",{"_24":243,"_53":244,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":245},"-K8w-QJyb0IHiB1W1Ee6","

The Nuclear Threat Initiative’s 2016 index does not paint a reassuring picture of nuclear materials security in South Asia.

","Just How Secure Are India and Pakistan's Nuclear Materials?",{"_24":247,"_53":248,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_40":41,"_26":249},"-K8w-QJzkig4X-PTKnT2","

Yang Wei might be an unfamiliar name to most observers, but his aircraft, and his underlying philosophy towards designing them, isn’t.

","Meet Chengdu's Ace Fighter Designer",{"_24":251,"_46":252,"_26":253,"_49":254},"DPL",10,"Diplomacy",[255,259,263],{"_24":256,"_53":257,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":258},"-K8w-QK3vZfVY_HdoRUy","

Any diplomatic breakthrough between the two neighbors appears doomed to collapse. What does 2016 hold for India and Pakistan?

","Seeking Change in India-Pakistan Relations",{"_24":260,"_53":261,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":262},"-K8w-QK4Ry9Ixu3a8mcK","

Bilateral relations go back 50 years, but are in need of a boost.

","Can Canada Invigorate Ties With Singapore?",{"_24":264,"_53":265,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":266},"-K8w-QK6zBUSJHl8AbwH","

“Network diplomacy” could be an effective way to take the bilateral relationship forward.

","So Far, So Close? EU-China Network Diplomacy",{"_24":268,"_46":269,"_26":270,"_49":271},"ASL",11,"Asia Life",[272,276,280],{"_24":273,"_53":274,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":275},"-K8w-QK9CogzKy12RLMw","

Activists are struggling to change long-held beliefs, and end a lucrative trade.

","Vietnam’s Wildlife Trafficking Problem",{"_24":277,"_53":278,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":279},"-K8w-QKAeVEWCwl0mGLH","

Jurassic World 2 will be brought to you by China: Wanda Group acquires Legendary Entertainment.

","China’s Wanda Group Purchases Hollywood Studio",{"_24":281,"_53":282,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":283},"-K8w-QKBJcm8e71mSDgd","

A regional bull-taming sport reopens the debate on the state and traditions in India.

","The Rights and Traditions Rodeo: India’s Jallikattu Ban","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]