Politics

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has seen a surge in approval ahead of elections. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President)  
Politics

Taiwan youth gravitate to Tsai as Hong Kong fears cross strait

President has 13-point lead on Kaohsiung mayor ahead of January election

20 November 2019
Huawei is seeking to have Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. allocate more advanced production to China. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Reuters)
Trade war

Huawei chip mission shows Taiwan economy gaining from trade war

Growth outpaces peers, but tech companies in tricky spot between US and China

14 November 2019
Anti-government protesters look out from atop a platform at Chinese University of Hong Kong on Nov. 13. The university has seen some of the most violent clashes between students and police.   
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong clashes spur exodus of mainland and Taiwanese students

Police suspect one university battleground is being used as a 'weapons factory'

14 November 2019
Han Kuo-yu of Taiwan's opposition party KMT is trailing in polling for next year's presidential race.
Politics

China offers 5G olive branch to Taiwan as island's election nears

Beijing opts for carrots over sticks as Tsai leads pro-mainland rival

5 November 2019
Exhibits of Japanese infrastructure building at the Sun Moon Lake museum. (Photo by Humphrey Hawksley)
Tea Leaves

Taiwan holds lessons for 'good' and 'bad' dictatorships

Beijing should follow Taipei's model of gradual liberalization

30 October 2019
Taiwan's tourist spots, such as the scenic streets of Jiufen, have been hit by a sharp decrease of Chinese travelers. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara)
International relations

Chinese tourists to Taiwan plunge 60% in September

Beijing's move to ban travel to island fans resentment among residents

28 October 2019
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Oct. 16.
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong formally withdraws extradition bill

Fugitive suspect who prompted government to propose law is released from prison

23 October 2019
The LGBT communities of Hualien, about 120 km south of Taipei, show that Taiwanese outside the island's capital can raise the rainbow flag, too.
Life

Taiwan's LGBT communities face backlash to marriage victory

Education policy targeted as conservatives fear teachers will turn kids gay

22 October 2019
A campus recruitment effort by Christian Dior in China ended up in an online crusade against the company and a public apology.
Politics

Dior China map causes stir at campus recruitment event

French fashion house apologizes for failing to include Taiwan on slide

18 October 2019
Lower housing costs, geographical proximity and a relative lack of political restrictions have made Taiwan popular for emigrants from Hong Kong.
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kongers seek refuge in Taiwan from political chaos

Democracy and cheaper housing a draw, as poll shows 42% want to leave

14 October 2019
Tsai Ing-wen on Oct. 10 rejected China's "one country, two systems" model in a speech to mark Taiwan's national day: this was not what China wants to hear.
Opinion

Taiwan's national day highlights tensions with China

Proper de-escalation measures will help to avert military blowup

11 October 2019
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during the Taiwan National Day celebrations on Oct. 10. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara)
Politics

Taiwan's Tsai: China's 'one country, two systems' model has failed

President hardens anti-Beijing stance ahead of January election

10 October 2019
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare walk past the Chinese honor guard in Beijing on Oct. 9.
International relations

Beijing embraces Solomon Islands after switch from Taipei

Xi calls Pacific nation an extension of 'Maritime Silk Road'

10 October 2019
Tsai Ing-wen rejuvenated the New Southbound Policy in 2016 while Beijing launched its measures to bring Taipei back into line.
Opinion

Taiwan's New Southbound Policy is decreasing its reliance on China

Looking to regional neighbors for closer trade relationships is bearing fruit

4 October 2019
Military vehicles carrying YJ anti-ship missiles march during the military parade in September 2015: China's new weapons will make the South China Sea a deadly environment.
Opinion

China's military buildup is worry for neighbors and warning for US

Hypersonic missiles and stealthy jets bolster Beijing's might

1 October 2019
The mountain town of Jiufen, about an hour's drive from Taipei, is thought by some to be the inspiration for the film "Spirited Away." (Photo courtesy of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau)
Economy

Taiwan president woos Japanese tourists to counter Chinese boycott

Meeting YouTube celebrities is one of the unconventional approaches

30 September 2019
Police stand guard and warn protesters during a demonstration in Hong Kong on Sept. 29.
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong clashes escalate ahead of China's big day

Taiwanese march in solidarity during weekend of protests

30 September 2019
The new Okura Tokyo has recognized the hallowed grounds on which it stands with a monument to the Chinese United League, whose guiding members chose Sun Yat-sen as their leader. (Nikkei Montage by AP/Ken Kobayashi)
China up close

Tokyo's Hotel Okura was cradle of Chinese revolution

With help of Japanese supporters, Sun Yat-sen dreamed of a united Asia

26 September 2019
With the loss of the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, Taiwan now retains diplomatic ties with only 15 countries.
Comment

South Pacific pivot to Beijing recasts regional chessboard

Diplomatic switches to China mirror Japan's WWII strategic dominance over region

22 September 2019
The flags of Kiribati and Taiwan. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President, Republic of China)
International relations

Taiwan loses second ally in a week as Kiribati switches to China

Pressure on nations with Taipei ties rises ahead of China's 70th anniversary

20 September 2019
The cynical view out of Taiwan is that since billionaire Terry Gou had only a small chance of winning, he was not ready to take big risks, unlike Donald Trump, who fought through the 2016 U.S. election cycle as the underdog. (Nikkei Montage/ Kosaku Mimura/Reuters)
China up close

Foxconn's Terry Gou drops bid to be Taiwanese Donald Trump

Tycoon evades being branded 'criminal of history' with surprise withdrawal

19 September 2019
Blaming the Tsai administration would be invidious.
Opinion

Loss of Solomon Islands is no significant blow to Taiwan

China's Pacific strategy may backfire by bolstering support for President Tsai

18 September 2019
The Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing on Monday.
International relations

China scores big win with Solomons switch from Taiwan

The move is a 'huge blow to Washington and Canberra'

17 September 2019
Foxconn founder Terry Gou gestures during a press conference at the company's headquarters in Taipei earlier this year.
Politics

Gou exit from Taiwan presidential race brings relief to opposition KMT

However, President Tsai still has upper-hand ahead of January election

17 September 2019
Taiwan's foreign minister, Joseph Wu, told reporters in Taipei late on Monday that it would immediately close down its embassy in the Solomon Islands and recall all of its diplomats.(Photo by Kensaku Ihara)
International relations

Beijing 'bought off' Solomon Islands, Taiwan minister says

Pacific island nation breaks ties with Taipei and recognizes Beijing

17 September 2019