Politics

Naval officers stand on a frigate at a base in Taiwan's Penghu Islands. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he will never renounce the use of force to unify Taiwan with the mainland.
Interview

Taiwan's future hinges on 'who uses time better': Richard Haass

Ex-diplomat calls for island to consider drills with U.S. and Japan

29 December 2022
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The potential deal comes as China ramps up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan to assert its sovereignty claims. 
Taiwan tensions

U.S. approves potential sale of anti-tank systems to Taiwan for $180m

Island's defense ministry says the sale would help boost its 'asymmetric warfare' capacity

29 December 2022
Taiwan conducted evacuation drills using shelters in July. There are over 100,000 of these shelters across the island, many of which are normally used as parking. (Photo by Yu Nakamura)
Taiwan tensions

Japan companies eye Taiwan's 100,000 shelters in strait crisis

Hurdles to swift evacuations for 40,000 nationals spur local contingency plans

29 December 2022
Soldiers stand guard before a live-fire military exercise in Taiwan.
Taiwan tensions

U.S. welcomes Taiwan's military service extension

Congress more willing to help those who help themselves, expert says

29 December 2022
China's rubber-stamp National People's Congress convened for a session on Dec. 27.
Taiwan tensions

China to update espionage law with eye on Taiwan

Xi seeks to crack down on foreign involvement in unification issue

28 December 2022
The government of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is extending the mandatory period of military service for men aged 18 or older to one year. (Nikkei montage/Getty Images)
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan to lengthen military service as part of defense overhaul

Four-month training requirement will be extended to 1 year from Jan. 2024

27 December 2022
Taiwan's longer service requirement for the military will take effect as soon as 2024. (Photo by Yu Nakamura)
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan to extend military service to 1 year with eye on China

Four-month training requirement will lengthen as early as 2024

27 December 2022
A U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet is serviced at a Taiwan Air Force base. The legislation will provide up to $10 billion in security assistance to the island over the next five years. 
Taiwan tensions

Biden signs $858bn defense bill including funds for Taiwan, allies

U.S. legislation enables to help Taipei upgrade security capabilities to deter China

24 December 2022
German Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger speaks in the Bundestag on Dec. 1. She is expected to visit Taiwan early next year.
International relations

Germany to send cabinet member to Taiwan for first time in decades

Education chief expected to tap digital know-how, seek Confucius Institute alternative

22 December 2022
TikTok faces mounting headwinds in markets like Taiwan and the U.S., mainly over concerns that the Chinese government can access data from users.
China tech

Taiwan probes TikTok, suspected of illegal operation

Policy body alleges Chinese efforts to shape opinion through video apps

20 December 2022
The Biden administration seeks to encourage deeper security and economic cooperation with Taiwan.
International relations

U.S. to send officials to Taiwan for 2 years starting next fall

Fellowship program aims to lay groundwork to address China challenges

16 December 2022
Rep. Michael McCaul is likely to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee after Republicans take control of the House next session.
US-China tensions

Senior U.S. Republican urges strictest standards on China chip curbs

McCaul, likely to head House Foreign Affairs, warns against Chinese 'aggression'

10 December 2022
From left, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speak to reporters Tuesday.
International relations

U.S. to expand Australia military footprint with eye on Taiwan

Canberra will propose more trilateral exercises at 2-plus-2 meeting with Japan

8 December 2022
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly arrives for the first day of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest.
Indo-Pacific

Canada ready to 'challenge' China, increase Indo-Pacific role: minister

Ottawa eyes more intelligence sharing with Tokyo, says Joly

2 December 2022
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, left, apologizes to supporters after her party lost big in the local elections on Nov. 26.
The Nikkei View

Taiwan's ruling DPP needs soul-searching after election loss

Tsai's party must work with rivals to refine policies toward China and economy

30 November 2022
Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu and President Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party until its drubbing in local elections on Nov. 26. (Source photos by Kyodo and Getty Images)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's KMT has a mountain to climb for 2024 presidential race

Local poll wins don't necessarily indicate changed public attitude toward China

29 November 2022
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen announces her resignation as party chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei on Nov. 26.
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's Tsai quits as party leader after heavy local election losses

Opposition KMT retakes major cities in string of victories on Saturday

27 November 2022
The ruling DPP, led by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, left, is lagging behind Eric Chu's opposition KMT in the run-up to Saturday's local elections. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's local elections kick off: 5 things to know

Opposition KMT expected to win big, but not over its pro-China position

26 November 2022
A Taipei cybersecurity conference in September. The island was the target of 1.4 billion cyberattacks between September 2019 and August 2020, according to the National Institute for Defense Studies.
Taiwan tensions

China intensifies disinformation, cyberattacks on Taiwan: report

Beijing's campaign focuses on cognitive warfare, Japanese think tank says

26 November 2022
Commuters at Ximen subway station in Taipei during rush hour: Many younger Taiwanese are eager to lower the voting age.
Taiwan elections

Uphill fight likely for Taiwan's referendum to lower voting age

Democratic island falls behind others in region in enfranchising young voters

25 November 2022
Kong Xuanyou, China's ambassador to Japan, says that Chinese companies are too embedded in global supply chains for the U.S. to decouple its economy from his country's. (Photo by Ryotaro Sato)
International relations

U.S. can't decouple from China, says Beijing's ambassador to Tokyo

Kong Xuanyou says readjusting supply chains for security reasons 'not easy'

24 November 2022
Since the 2019 pro-democracy protests, Twitter has played a vital role for the Hong Kong people to share information with the outside world. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Politics

Twitter, Meta layoffs spur political safeguard fears across Asia

Authoritarian regimes could strengthen grip on social media platforms

23 November 2022
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at a campaign rally on Nov. 12 in Taipei ahead of the upcoming mayoral election.
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's Tsai faces tough battle in local elections

Ruling DPP's strong security stance against China dwarfed by domestic issues

22 November 2022
Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe, front, leaves a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Nov. 22.
US-China tensions

China, U.S. defense chiefs meet in Cambodia amid Taiwan tensions

Austin raises 'dangerous' aircraft behavior in pair's second meeting this year

22 November 2022
Stream article image
US-China tensions

U.S. kept quiet on warship transit of Taiwan Strait before Biden met Xi

Unannounced voyage likely attempt to avoid friction with Beijing before summit

20 November 2022