De Chinese Wouden, maandag 10: persconferentie Wang Yi, China en Europa
Ik hoop dat jullie een beetje bekomen zijn van de pekingologische overdaad vorige week. Ik had me waarschijnlijk meer moeten richten op mijn zoektocht naar een vaste baan – met enkel tijdelijke opdrachten kun je het niet volhouden. Maar ik was te enthousiast over de kans jullie lastig te vallen met alle details. Er komt vandaag nog een lading: de persconferentie van buitenlandminister Wang Yi van afgelopen vrijdag. Nog eventjes en de Twee Zittingen zijn weer voorbij!
Om de toon maar aan te geven: minister Wang opende zijn persconferentie met een bedankje aan de verslaggevers voor hun zorgen en steun voor het Chinese buitenlandbeleid. Na de verplichte uitingen van loyaliteit aan Xi Jinping was de tweede vraag voor het Russische staatspersbureau TASS.
Minister Wang benadrukte dat de betrekkingen tussen Peking en Moskou een baanbrekend voorbeeld vormen voor de nieuwe soort grootmachtbetrekkingen. Geen derde partij kan de relatie beïnvloeden. Samen vochten en wonnen ze in de Tweede Wereldoorlog, waarvan dit jaar de 80-jarige herdenking is.
Wang benadrukte op meerdere momenten de noodzaak van een ‘correcte’ blik op de geschiedenis van WOII en het beschermen van de naoorlogse orde en het VN-systeem dat daar een product van is. Wat dit onder andere betekent, werd duidelijk bij een vraag over Taiwan. Wang duwde hard terug tegen verschillende Westerse moties – ook van de Tweede Kamer – die de Chinese leugens bestrijden over de VN-resolutie die de VN China-stoel aan Peking gaf. Dit zou namelijk niet alleen „absurd en gevaarlijk” zijn, maar ook het gezag van de VN en de naoorlogse orde ondermijnen.
Grote nadruk legde hij op wat China kon betekenen voor het Mondiale Zuiden, ontwikkelingslanden en de mensheid. Constant werd herhaald hoeveel landen China en Pekings initiatieven zouden steunen. Dit past in de Chinese visie dat de toekomst buiten het Westen ligt.
De veranderingen in het Westen zullen voor Xi Jinping een signaal zijn, dat het Westen ondertussen zelf wel uit elkaar valt. Peking richt zich ondertussen op de VN – waar het Mondiale Zuiden een meerderheid heeft – en op het bouwen van eigen structuren. Tegelijkertijd lonkt Peking wel naar samenwerking met Europa, ook in de persconferentie van Wang.
Er is nu een diplomatieke charmeoffensief richting Europa. Veelzeggend is wel dat Peking dit niet combineert met nieuwe cadeautjes en toezeggingen. De benoeming van ‘wolf warrior’ Lu Shaye tot speciaal gezant voor Europa wordt niet voor niets door veel mensen aangehaald als een belangrijk symbool.
Het Chinese leiderschap ziet de geopolitieke omwenteling als bevestiging van het eigen gelijk. Wang Yi is niet de enige die duidelijk maakt, dat Peking hoopt dat Europa de gang naar Canossa maakt en handelt naar het inzicht dat China altijd al gelijk zou hebben gehad over het gevaar van vertrouwen op de Verenigde Staten.
Europa moet echter inzien dat de redenen voor eerdere zorgen over China niet zomaar verdwenen zijn. Sander Tordoir wijst in Foreign Policy terecht op dat, in vergelijking met de meer uitgeholde Verenigde Staten, Europa nog een zware industriële basis heeft. Deze industrie is wat Europeanen aan het werk houdt en wat herbewapening mogelijk maakt.
Een grote bedreiging voor dit Europese machtsfundament is de groeiende Chinese productiedominantie en afnemende vraag naar Europese producten, een situatie die het doel is van de economische plannen van Xi Jinping. Juist op dit moment komt echter naar buiten dat China volgens de officiële cijfers in deflatie was. De consumptiedoelen in het werkrapport van Li Qiang blijven nog exportafhankelijk.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Watching China in Europe—March 2025 – Noah Barkin: ‘On a recent trip to Brussels, it was also clear that the rapid deterioration in transatlantic relations has begun infecting the European debate on China.’
‘Spain and Italy, I was told, joined Hungary and Slovakia in recent weeks in opposing an EU statement that would have condemned Chinese cyberattacks across Europe, arguing that it was not the right time for needless provocations of Beijing.’
‘The Dutch, who haven’t flinched in the face of massive pressure from China related to their export controls on ASML chipmaking machines, have been urging other member states to stick together on China. France is holding firm in the face of Chinese tariffs on cognac, and there is hope that a new German government led by Merz will adopt a tougher line, bringing Berlin closer to The Hague and Paris. […] But the split among member states is also evident within the Commission’ 🇪🇺
‘"What's the point anymore of questioning whether China is partial towards Russia? If that is a problem for people, they should first go criticize America. Because now America is not only partial to, but actively supports, Russia. Am I right?" - China's special envoy for Europe, #LuShaye’ – Wen-Ti Sung, Bluesky 🇪🇺🇺🇸
Trump zet deur open voor dooi tussen Europa en China: „Wij zijn wél betrouwbaar” – De Standaard 🇪🇺
China, Iran, and Russia to conduct joint naval exercise in March – Xinhua: ‘The exercise, codenamed “Security Belt-2025,” is set to take place in areas near the Iranian port of Chabahar, the ministry said.’ 🇷🇺🇮🇷
Chinese medical team offers free services in Cospicua, Malta – Xinhua: ‘from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine’ ‘The MRCTCM was established by the Chinese and Maltese governments in 1994.’ 🇲🇹
Twee Zittingen 两会
China’s national legislature NPC holds 2nd plenary meeting of annual session – Xinhua
Chinese courts step up oversight of profit-driven law enforcement – Xinhua: ‘This was done to “strictly prevent the misuse of criminal measures in economic disputes,” said the report submitted Saturday’
China’s top political advisory body holds 3rd plenary meeting of annual session – Xinhua
China’s NPC to revise Foreign Trade Law – Xinhua
China’s NPC to revise Cybersecurity Law – Xinhua
Crack down on corruption, deploy technology — Xí Jìnpíng 习近平’s twin missions for China’s military – SCMP: ‘Xi delivered the message while meeting National People’s Congress deputies from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and armed police’
DeepSeek 深度求索’s rise helps push China’s ‘little giants’ into spotlight at ‘two sessions’ – SCMP
Xinhua Headlines: China reaffirms commitment to reform and opening up at ‘two sessions’ – Xinhua
Chinese leaders join national lawmakers and political advisors in deliberation and discussions – Xinhua
CPPCC chief Wáng Hùníng 王沪宁 calls for ‘safe and orderly’ religious activities, Xinhua reports – SCMP: ‘In a government work report delivered on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed the need to “strengthen the rule of law in the governance of religious affairs”, a theme that did not appear in last year’s report.’
Verwacht verdere verslechtering van religieuze vrijheid in China.
Chinese government banking on private entrepreneurship to drive job creation and stabilise employment – The Straits Times: ‘a record-high 12.22 million college graduates are expected to flood the job market in 2025’
Chinese government to give gig workers and training a lift to keep lid on unemployment – SCMP
China’s ‘world’s factory’ Guangdong eyes industry modernisation with economic crown on the line – SCMP: ‘The southern province will “adhere to the principle of making the real economy our foundation, and manufacturing our mainstay”, Guangdong party secretary Huang Kunming said’
Some thoughts on China’s Two Sessions 2025 – Bert Hofman
persconferentie buitenlandminister
China’s foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 lauds Russia and pans ‘two-faced’ US policy at NPC – Nikkei Asia
6 key takeaways from China’s top diplomat Wáng Yì 王毅’s press conference at the Two Sessions – The Straits Times
Member of the Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wáng Yì 王毅 meets the press – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China:
中共中央政治局委员、外交部长王毅就中国外交政策和对外关系回答中外记者提问 – 中华人民共和国外交部：
I have been asked about China-Russia relations every year, although from different perspectives each time. What I want to emphasize is that no matter how the international landscape evolves, the historical logic of China-Russia friendship will not change and its internal driving force will not diminish. […] It is a pioneering effort in forging a new model of major-country relations, and has set a fine example for relations between neighboring countries. [站在了新型大国关系的前列，树立了相邻国家关系的典范。] A mature, resilient and stable China-Russia relationship will not be swayed by any turn of events, let alone be subject to interference by any third party. […] The two sides will take the opportunity of joint commemoration of [the 80th anniversary of the victory in WWII] to advocate the correct historical view of WWII, defend its victorious outcomes [弘扬正确二战史观，捍卫二战胜利成果], uphold the U.N.-centered international system, and promote a more just and equitable international order.
[…]
The choices made by countries, especially major countries [大国, d.w.z. grootmachten], will determine the trajectory of our times and shape the future of the world. […]
[…]
A saying in the West goes, “There are no eternal friends, only permanent interests.” But we in China believe that friends should be permanent and we should pursue common interests.
[…]
[…] The hallmark of our era is the prominent, growing strength of the Global South. […] BRICS is emerging as a backbone of cooperation and an engine of growth in the Global South. […] China is naturally a member of the Global South, because we have fought colonialism and hegemonism together in history and we are committed to the common goal of development and revitalization.
China welcomes and supports all efforts for peace. […] The Ukraine crisis has been dragging on for over three years. In hindsight, the tragedy could have been avoided. […], security should be mutual and equal, and no country should build its security on the insecurity of another. [Dit is geen veroordeling van Russisch imperialisme, maar kritiek op de NAVO.] We should advocate and act on the new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security
[…]
Mutual respect is a basic norm governing state-to-state relations. It is also an important prerequisite for China-U.S. relations. No country should fantasize that it can suppress China and maintain good relations with China at the same time. Such two-faced acts are not good for the stability of bilateral relations, or for building mutual trust.
[…]
[…] Some countries have voiced scepticism of one kind or another about the U.N. But China believes that the more complex the problems, the greater the need to accentuate the important status of the U.N., […]. […] International affairs must not be monopolized by a small number of countries. Greater attention should be given to the voice of the Global South. […] Major countries [grootmachten] in particular should take the lead in […]
[…]
Phoenix TV: For some time, there has been a narrative in a few Western countries that Resolution 2758 of the U.N. General Assembly is not equivalent to the one-China principle, does not make clear of the sovereignty over Taiwan […]
Wang Yi: Such a narrative is a blatant challenge to the authority of the U.N. and the post-WWII international order. [这种论调是在公然挑战联合国权威和战后国际秩序] It is extremely absurd and dangerous. […] The principle of sovereignty is the cornerstone of the U.N. Charter. […] Respect for all countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity should mean support for China’s complete reunification […][…]
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the China-EU diplomatic ties. In this half-century-long relationship, the most valuable asset is mutual respect, the most powerful impetus is mutual benefit, the greatest unifying consensus is multilateralism, and the most accurate characterization is cooperation partner. […] In his phone call with President of the European Council António Costa earlier this year, President Xi Jinping noted that when the world becomes more challenging and complex, China and the EU have more reason to renew their purpose in establishing diplomatic relations, strengthen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust and maintain this partnership relationship. China remains confident in Europe and believes Europe can be our trustworthy partner. The two sides have the capacity and wisdom to properly resolve pending issues through friendly consultation and jointly usher in another promising 50 years.
[…]
[…] For every move on the sea by the Philippines, there is a screenplay written by external forces, the show is livestreamed by Western media, and the plot is invariably to smear China. […] With China’s facilitation, consultations on the COC are accelerating […]
Taiwanese government rejects Chinese foreign minister’s UN claim – Taipei Times
US slams ‘misuse’ of UN resolution as Beijing’s coercion against Taiwan – Focus Taiwan
[A few] US weapons will not alter inevitable demise of ‘Taiwan independence’, defence ministry spokesperson says – Xinhua: ‘“The more rampant ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists become, the tighter the noose around their necks and the sharper the sword hanging over their heads will be,” [“台独”分子闹得越欢，脖子上的绳索就会勒得越紧，头顶上的利剑就会愈加锋利。] said Wu Qian’
‘“The PLA is a force of action in countering separatism and promoting reunification,” [解放军一向是打“独”促统的行动派] Wu said when answering media questions, adding that in recent years, patrols around the island and military deterrence have become the norm.’
We gaan meer activiteiten zien van het Volksbevrijdingsleger.
China’s ‘two sessions’: Taiwan may get less autonomy if reunited by force, deputy says – SCMP: ‘National People’s Congress deputy Li Yihu, who is also a leading Taiwan affairs specialist [d.w.z. werkzaam in het Taiwansysteem] at Peking University’
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemns entertainers’ sharing of post by Chinese state broadcaster – Taipei Times: ‘The post showed an image of a map of Taiwan along with the five stars of the Chinese flag, and the message: “Taiwan is never a country. It never was and never will be.”’
Chinese military to achieve PLA centenary goals on schedule in 2027, spokesperson says – Xinhua
Wereldhandelsoorlog 📉💥
China’s exports reached a record so far this year as higher US tariffs, and the threat of more to come, drove front-loading of shipments – Bloomberg: ‘Imports unexpectedly fell 8.4%, leaving a record trade surplus of nearly $171 billion.’
Het Chinese handelsoverschot wordt nog altijd groter, terwijl Li Qiang op de Twee Zittingen meer steun voor hoogwaardige industrie aankondigde.
US to levy fees on China-linked ships and push allies to do likewise, draft executive order says – Reuters: ‘charge fees for docking at U.S. ports on any ship that is part of a fleet that includes Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged vessels’ 🇺🇸
Canada is prepared for an early USMCA renegotiation and for talks on a coordinated response to Chinese dumping – Bloomberg 🇨🇦
China hits Canada with retaliatory tariffs on agricultural and food products – FT: ‘in retaliation for Ottawa’s levies on Chinese electric vehicles’ 🇨🇦
Why a renewed US-China trade war could yield bumper harvest for Brazilian farmers – SCMP 🇧🇷
Taiwan vital part of ‘non-red’ supply chain, foreign minister says – Taipei Times 🇹🇼
Trump softens tone on Taiwan’s chip industry after TSMC 台積電 investment – Focus Taiwan: ‘shifted the blame to previous administrations for allowing the computer chip production to move overseas.’ 🇹🇼
TSMC 台積電 may have dodged Trump tariffs but lawsuit over ‘anti-American’ practices presses on – SCMP: ‘a legal drama accusing the company of “anti-American” workforce practices’ 🇹🇼
TSMC 台積電 launches large recruitment campaign in Taiwan to hire 8,000 in 2025 – Focus Taiwan 🇹🇼
Taiwan’s exports to US surpass those to China for first time since 1990 – Taiwan News 🇨🇳🇺🇸
Techoorlog 💽💥
Heavy industry is Europe’s trump card: The continent has an upper hand in its looming security competition with the United States – Sander Tordoir for Foreign Policy: ‘Many European leaders look with envy on the U.S. tech sector. But manufacturing plays a far greater role in the EU economy than in the United States. […] The EU’s manufacturing sector employs 30 million people versus just 13 million in the United States. While U.S. tech is highly profitable, the industry employs just 6.5 million people.’
‘the EU is equivocating as the wider manufacturing sector is progressively squeezed by China.’ 🇪🇺
Tordoir werpt terecht de vraag op of Europa zich zo moet verbijten dat het hier ontbreekt aan de veredelde advertentieverkopers uit Silicon Valley.
ByteDance 字节跳动’s TikTok hasn’t negotiated with prospective buyers as deadline looms – Axios: ‘There also has been some confusion as to who is actually in charge of Trump administration negotiations for the deal.’ 🇺🇸
‘SCOOP: Trump Administration making progress on a deal to move @tiktok_us into US hands; White House eyeing a licensing agreement between the app’s China-based owners @BytedanceTalk and a US tech firm. @Oracle, which was co-founded by Trump pal Larry Ellison, seen having the inside track on licensing deal. […]’ – Charles Gasparino, Twitter
Zuckerberg’s Meta considered sharing user data with China, whistleblower alleges – The Washington Post: ‘in a failed attempt to win the approval of the Chinese Communist Party and bring Facebook to millions of internet users in China’ 🇺🇸
Auto-industrie is nog steeds „machtsblok in Europa”, ook na dieselfraude – Follow The Money 🇪🇺
Tesla is flailing in China and the rapid rise of BYD 比亚迪 is to blame – Bloomberg 🇺🇸
China’s Geely 吉利 eyes 1m units sold with revamped Zeekr and Lynk brands – Nikkei Asia
Taiwan biopharmaceutical startup takes page from TSMC’s playbook – Nikkei Asia
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Geert Wilders zocht ruzie, vond het – en sloeg op de vlucht – De Groene Amsterdammer: „Hoe snel buitenlandpolitiek de Haagse dynamiek kan veranderen blijkt ook uit de manier waarop Frans Timmermans in Nederlandse en internationale talkshows plots ‘oppositieleider’ wordt genoemd.” 🇳🇱
Europa likt zijn wonden en aanvaardt de realiteit: het is een kwetsbare provincie tussen grootmachten – de Volkskrant 🇪🇺
Europe weighs Trump risk to its US weapons systems – FT: ‘The concern in European capitals is not so much about specific weapon systems but the potential for the US to withdraw communications support and information sharing across any platform’ 🇪🇺
Why the Maga mindset is different – John Burn-Murdoch for FT: ‘their version of America is operating on an entirely different set of values from the rest of the western world.’ ‘In many cases, [the World Values Survey shows,] the Maga mindset is much closer to that of Vladimir Putin’s Russia or Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey.’ 🇺🇸
The old world order has been destroyed. A new European security architecture is impossible without Ukraine – Valerii Zaluzhnyi at Chatham House: ‘Such actions probably make it possible to assume that NATO may cease to exist. […] the White House is taking more and more steps towards the Kremlin regime’ 🇺🇦🇪🇺
US-Russia rapprochement and ‘Saint Zelensky’: Chinese online reactions to Trump’s shake-up – What’s On Weibo 🇺🇸🇺🇦
Investors spy the dawn of a tectonic shift away from US markets – Reuters: ‘With Europe and China poised to spend big, the dollar is looking less appealing.’ ‘Almost uninterrupted outflows from China-focused funds after Trump’s election win in November reversed in early February’ 🇺🇸
China, Russia, and US Arctic competition looms over Greenland elections – Nikkei Asia 🇬🇱🇺🇸🇨🇳🇷🇺
The Philippines and Canada conclude Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) negotiations – Philstar 🇵🇭🇨🇦
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
How far will Trump’s personal brand of diplomacy take him with China’s Xí Jìnpíng 习近平? – SCMP 🇺🇸
Chinese investors privately take stakes in Elon Musk’s companies – FT: ‘China-based asset managers have been promoting [Trump and Musk’s] relationship as an enticement to raise capital from rich Chinese.’ 🇺🇸
US federal judge in Missouri finds China liable for Covid missteps, imposes US$24 billion penalty – The New York Times: ‘filed by the Missouri attorney general’s office’ ‘Missouri officials vowed to enforce [it] seizing Chinese assets.’
FBI arrests soldier accused of selling US Army intel to China – AFP 🇺🇸
US lawmakers press Chinese telecoms over ties to military and government – Reuters 🇺🇸
US, EU, and Japan increased naval deployments in South China Sea last year – Nikkei Asia 🇺🇸🇪🇺🇯🇵
Philippine authorities have uncovered a network of hundreds of alleged Chinese spies, a senior official says – Bloomberg 🇵🇭
New Zealand’s top spy warns on China’s influence in the Pacific, backs Five Eyes – Reuters 🇳🇿
China rolls over US$2 billion loan to Pakistan – Reuters 🇵🇰
China economie
China’s consumer prices fall for first time in over a year – FT: ‘in [official] data that was distorted by seasonal factors but suggests deflationary pressures continue’
In Depth: Higher profits and returns mask solvency problems in China’s insurance sector – Caixin Global
In Depth: As China’s state pension system strains, companies must step up – Caixin Global
China binnenland
Na maanden rumoer kondigt Chinese overheid onderzoek aan naar slechte generieke medicatie – de Volkskrant
Giving up a little bit of privacy for a little bit of safety. In China’s fight against scams, Xi’s surveillance state rattles some citizens and raises questions about personal privacy – Bloomberg: ‘A few other Asian nations are also taking more aggressive action’
‘[one person] was resting at home in July 2023 after contracting Covid when he picked up a nuisance call, and anti-scam officers contacted him shortly after. […] came to his apartment and explained that they were under pressure to meet their work targets in the crackdown […] The officers informed Liu that there would be a monthlong ban on withdrawals on all his bank cards’
Foreign researchers in China face tightening restrictions – Nature: ‘Data and security laws are affecting scientists who stayed in China after COVID — but for some it’s still a great place to do research.’
Don’t cry for me Peng Liyuan! – Lucy Hornby: ‘The fallacy of the Chinese distaste for women in politics is that the problem isn’t women in politics, it is wives in politics.’
Hong Kong
Hong Kong businesses forced to weigh options as Trump’s tariffs squeeze access to US market – HKFP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Taiwanese government fears Beijing is taking independence crackdown overseas – Reuters: ‘Late last month, a senior Chinese official gave closed-door instructions to state security units to “implement” the [punishment] guidelines in countries friendly to China, according to a government memo reviewed by Reuters and a senior Taiwan security official.’
‘The instruction was given during a two-day meeting on Taiwan that began February 25, the memo said, citing Taiwan’s intelligence.’ 🇨🇳
Dit betreft de Conferentie voor Taiwan-werk onder Wang Huning. Bloomberg en anderen schreven toen al dat de taal wat strenger was.
Two Taiwanese Unification Church followers arrested in China, SEF says – Focus Taiwan: ‘Prior to the SEF’s confirmation of the arrest of two Unification Church followers, three Taiwanese members of the I-Kuan Tao religious group were also arrested in China in October last year’ 🇨🇳
China gebruikt de wetenschap om te bewijzen dat de oorspronkelijke Taiwanezen van het vasteland komen – NRC: „er is vrijwel geen bewijs dat de Austronesische taalfamilie en de daaraan gelinkte culturen uit China komen.” „De [Fujianese] regio kwam bovendien pas ongeveer 2.800 jaar geleden onder Chinese invloed – lang nadat de pre-austronesische groepen waren vertrokken.” 🇨🇳
Roots and religion: a Fujian city Zhangzhou’s mission to forge cultural bonds with Taiwan – SCMP: ‘Wang said that part of the strategy was to emphasise shared spiritual beliefs.’ ‘The municipal government had collected more than 1,000 genealogy records from Taiwanese families to highlight migration histories and strengthen connections, Wang said.’ 🇨🇳
Supreme Court upholds ex-officers’ spy sentences – Taipei Times 🇨🇳
Upcoming drills in waters off Pingtung ‘routine, navy says – Focus Taiwan
Military to procure four types of attack drones – Taipei Times
Drone training to be military staple – Taipei Times
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Interview: New Taiwan opposition leader Huang Kuo-chang 黃國昌 (TPP) vows to fight ‘indiscriminate’ defence outlays – Nikkei Asia: ‘ while accusing the Democratic Progressive Party’s President Lai Ching-te of seeking “one-party rule” in a bruising interview with Nikkei Asia.’
‘For Huang, “the 1992 Consensus does not exist from the position of the TPP. […]”’
KMT’s tax refund and military pay raise proposals pass first reading – Taipei Times
Revotes on budget plan, revenue allocation measures slated for March 12 – Focus Taiwan
Central Taiwan leads in phase-two recall – Taipei Times
KMT to start campaign on referendum against end to death penalty – Focus Taiwan: ‘KMT lawmakers have advocated pushing referendums to counter the recall motions being pushed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) against them.’
Politieke partijen in Taiwan gebruiken de mogelijkheid om via handtekeningen een referendum te organiseren om een voor hen gunstige vraag te stellen die de opkomst vergroot van de verkiezing waaraan het gekoppeld word.
推離葉霸 傅崐萁隨扈逾越勤務 花蓮縣警局停止2警安全警衛工作 – 自由時報
National Human Rights Commission members attend Tibet uprising event – Focus Taiwan
Transport ministry rejects east coast expressway plan – Taipei Times