Politics

The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th U.S. president was welcomed by allies and partners across Asia. (Source photo by AP) 
Biden's Asia policy

Asian allies embrace Biden as China bids Trump 'good riddance'

Beijing says 'kind angels can triumph over evil forces' in regards to transition

21 January 2021
Antony Blinken, Joe Biden's nominee for U.S. secretary of state, speaks during his Senate confirmation hearing in Washington on Jan. 19.
International relations

Biden's top diplomat pick says Trump 'right' to be tough on China

Antony Blinken, in Senate hearing, calls for new alliance-based approach

20 January 2021
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft speaks at a news conference at the State Department in Washington in September.
International relations

US envoy to UN angers China with call to Taiwan's Tsai

Kelly Craft's trip to Taipei was canceled ahead of transition to Biden

14 January 2021
Stream article image
Indo-Pacific

US must 'puncture' China's Asian dominance, declassified plan says

Trump administration's Indo-Pacific strategy vows to defend Taiwan

14 January 2021
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday lifted restrictions on contacts between U.S. and Taiwanese officials. (Source photos by Reuters and AP)
International relations

Taiwan to remain US priority despite cancellation of envoy visit

Pompeo shakes up Taiwan policy ahead of Biden inauguration

13 January 2021
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will meet Thursday with Kelly Craft, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
International relations

Trump takes parting shot over China's bow with envoy to Taiwan

Visit comes shortly after Washington lifts self-imposed diplomatic restrictions

12 January 2021
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said Friday that cross-strait relations are no longer just an issue between Taipei and Beijing, but also an issue concerning the stability of global security.
Politics

Tsai says Taiwan's global status has risen amid COVID pandemic

President again offers talks with China, albeit with conditions

1 January 2021
TOKYO -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga are losing public support due to criticism of their handling of the pandemic among other factors. (Source photos by Uichiro Kasai, Akira Kodaka and Reuters) 
Politics

Suga and Moon slump in polls as COVID surge spurs criticism

Across Asia, pandemic performance impacts governments' popularity

28 December 2020
As Taiwan's chance to join RCEP grew slim, President Tsai Ing-wen turned her focus to other potential trade deals. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Trade

Taiwan casts net for trade deals as China blocks RCEP entry

Options include CPTPP and bilateral pact with US but political hurdles remain

25 December 2020
Pigs are seen on a farm in Pingtung, Taiwan on Dec. 14.
Agriculture

Taiwan passes bill to allow imports of US pork containing additive

American pork imports have long been hurdle to a possible FTA with US

24 December 2020
Taiwan on Dec. 22 logged its first locally transmitted case of COVID-19 since April 12.
Coronavirus

Taiwan logs first local COVID transmission since April

Woman was infected after coming into contact with a pilot from New Zealand

22 December 2020
The Shandong is China's first domestically built aircraft carrier. (Xinhua via Kyodo)
Indo-Pacific

Chinese aircraft carrier follows US warship through Taiwan Strait

Shandong and four escort ships traverse same patch of water as tensions rise

22 December 2020
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen makes speech at the opening ceremony of 2020 Energy Taiwan. (Photo courtesy of Energy Taiwan)
Environment

Taiwan's renewables push hit by big tech's appetite for power

'Not in my backyard' sentiment and struggle to ditch nuclear make 20% goal hard

18 December 2020
The good news for Taipei is that soon it might have a true U.S. ally when Joe Biden assumes the presidency.
Opinion

How Biden can use Taiwan to rattle China

At long last Taipei has real chance of joining the TPP

10 December 2020
Biden has suggested three agenda items for his summit: fighting corruption, anti-authoritarianism, and human rights.
Opinion

Asia's wise heads are wrong to dismiss Biden's big idea

President-elect's democracy push is worth considering

9 December 2020
A U.S. congressional panel is urging legislators to make policy changes that grapple with a more assertive and influential China.
US-China tensions

US panel calls for 'ambassador-grade' envoy in Taiwan

Report sets stage for Biden administration faced with more belligerent China

2 December 2020
A Taiwanese Navy submarine takes part in a drill off the island's northeastern coast in 2018. Upgrading the fleet has been a priority.
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Taiwan begins work on home-built submarine to 'protect autonomy'

First-of-its-kind vessel based on Japan's cutting-edge diesel model

25 November 2020
The Chang'e 5 lunar probe completes vertical transport in Wenchang, Hainan, China on Nov. 17.
Your Week in Asia

China's moonshot, Xiaomi results, and India GDP

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

22 November 2020
Keith Krach, the U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, arrives in Taiwan on Sept. 17.
International relations

Taiwan and US ink memo on economic cooperation

Taipei seeks trade deal with Trump administration but pivots to Biden as clock ticks

21 November 2020
Audrey Tan is based in Taipei and works globally via the internet. (Photo by Toshiyuki Kumagai)
Technology

Taiwan's leading 'civic hacker' helps fix cracks in democracy

Digital minister Audrey Tang trusts a kinder internet to form techno-democracies

21 November 2020
CTi News is a prominent news channel in Taiwan known for its pro-Beijing viewpoint. (Photo by Yu Nakamura)
Politics

Taiwan declines to renew license for pro-Beijing news channel

Authorities take issue with parent group's influence over reporting

19 November 2020
President Tsai Ing-Wen waves at a night market in Keelung after the lockdown ease on June 9: transparency, accountability, and public trust have allowed Taiwan to combat COVID-19 without sacrificing economic growth.
Opinion

Taiwan is the future of the Asia-Pacific, not China

Island's success the result of staunch commitment to democratic ideals

15 November 2020
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who has led the Holy See’s talks with Beijing, attends an Oct. 3 commemoration in Milan of the 150th anniversary of a Catholic mission to China.
Interview

Renewed China-Vatican deal on bishops sets stage for official ties

Hong Kong's Cardinal Zen expects opening of diplomatic relations within 2 years

12 November 2020
President Tsai Ing-wen, front right, named TSMC founder Morris Chang, left, to represent Taiwan at APEC for a third straight year. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan's Presidential Office)
International relations

Taiwan again taps TSMC founder as envoy to APEC summit

Morris Chang to represent Taipei in international forum as China blocks Tsai

11 November 2020
People watch live news report of the U.S. Presidential elections at a shopping mall in Hong Kong. 
US elections 2020

China seeks to work with next US president, but mocks poll 'farce'

Trump's claim of fraud reminds Indonesians of elections at home

5 November 2020