Politics

The chances that Foxconn founder Terry Gou will run as an independent rose on Thursday after he said he would quit Taiwan's main opposition party.
Politics

Foxconn's Gou quits KMT to pave way for Taiwan presidential run

Move comes after China-friendly party urged tech billionaire not to compete

12 September 2019
Taiwanese troops take part in a ceremony at a naval base in Kaohsiung. Taipei raised alarm bells over Beijing's military capabilities in its latest white paper.
12 September 2019
Foxconn founder Terry Gou, who lost the KMT nomination, is weighing an independent presidential bid.
Politics

Foxconn's Terry Gou 'preparing' to run for Taiwan presidency

Tech tycoon says he will decide soon and touts 'mutual trust' with Beijing

7 September 2019
Taipei city mayor Ko Wen-je's new political party is having a hard time carving out space between Taiwan's two largest parties
Opinion

Taiwan's new centrist political party is struggling for space

Issues of sovereignty and Hong Kong protests dominate discussions

23 August 2019
Illustration by Eric Chow
Asia Insight

China seeks to flip nations in Pacific Great Game with US

Taiwan ties and geography give small islands big significance

20 August 2019
Steel wires at a plant in Dalian, China. The Trump administration has been on guard against Chinese steel going through other countries to avoid U.S. tariffs.
Trade war

US government to investigate if Chinese steel is evading tariffs

Commerce Department will check corrosion-resistant products from five countries

15 August 2019
The 2015 TV series "The Last Prince" depicts China's struggle against Imperial Japan: Chinese authorities are urging broadcasters to air patriotic programs of the 70th anniversary of modern China's founding in October.
Politics

China tightens grip on TV and films ahead of National Day

Beijing bans 'too entertaining' programs amid regional tensions

8 August 2019
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je launched a new party but did not say whether he will run for president of Taiwan.
Politics

Taipei mayor launches new party but is mum on presidential bid

Foxconn's Terry Gou a no-show at rally amid speculation of solo run for office

7 August 2019
Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu, right, was recently nominated as the opposition Kuomintang's candidate in next year's presidential election. He will face off against President Tsai Ing-wen.
Comment

'Top Gun' sequel puts shifting US-China-Taiwan ties in spotlight

Taipei's flag vanishes from Tom Cruise's jacket, highlighting new power dynamic

3 August 2019
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, an independent, will decide whether to challenge Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in January's election before the registration deadline of Sept. 17. (Photo by Lauly Li)
Politics

Taipei mayor shakes up Taiwan politics with formation of new party

Ko Wen-je noncommittal on presidential run and tie-up with Foxconn's Gou

1 August 2019
A panda exhibit in Taipei: Individual travelers, as opposed to group tours, account for about half of mainland visitors to Taiwan.
Politics

China freezes permits for individual travel to Taiwan

Authorities blame state of cross-strait relations for the clampdown

31 July 2019
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen arrives at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York during her visit to the U.S on July 11.
Politics

Taiwan's Tsai gains momentum for reelection on US trip

Trade war and Hong Kong unrest give president boost for January poll

23 July 2019
Tsai Ing-wen's defiance earned her a new nickname: La Tai Mei which means "tough Taiwanese girl."
Opinion

Hong Kong protests inspire Taiwan to amp up resistance to China

Mass demonstrations in Taipei show the young fear unification with the PRC

16 July 2019
Han Kuo-yu's previous pledge for closer economic ties with China helped him win in Kaohsiung, but this now makes him more vulnerable.
Politics

Mayor beats Foxconn billionaire in Taiwan presidential primary

Terry Gou silent on whether to run as independent to challenge incumbent Tsai

16 July 2019
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen speaks to media as she arrives for a VIP reception at the Hyatt hotel in New York, U.S. on Friday.
International relations

Tsai's New York detour shows US-Taiwan ties at tightest in years

Precedent-breaking 'transits' set stage for possible visit to Washington

14 July 2019
A US soldier aims a Stinger missile launcher during a military exercise in South Korea. Washington has approved sales of Raytheon's Stinger missiles and related equipment worth $223 million to Taiwan.
International relations

China sanctions US companies over Taiwan arms sales

Foreign minister blasts Tsai's NY transit and says reunification cannot be stopped

13 July 2019
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen arrives at her New York hotel on July 11.
12 July 2019
Foxconn founder Terry Gou, left, and Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu are battling to represent Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang in the island's 2020 presidential election.
Politics

Foxconn tycoon gains ground on 'commoner' mayor in Taiwan primary

Hong Kong protests cast uncertainty over mainland-leaning Kuomintang

9 July 2019
The Solomon Islands has become the principal target in the region of Beijing's diplomatic effort to win away Taiwan's remaining allies. (Reuters/AP)
Interview

Solomon Islands PM 'aware' of risks of Chinese debt

Government still considering merit of switching ties from Taipei to Beijing

26 June 2019
Hong Kong protesters wave the Taiwanese flag at a protest on July 4. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
The Big Story

'Today, Hong Kong; tomorrow, Taiwan:' Resistance to China spreads

Taiwan political race now turns against pro-Beijing Kuomintang

26 June 2019
From left, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu, Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou and Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je.
Politics

Taiwan candidates quickly shun China after Hong Kong protests

Even pro-Beijing hopefuls reject 'One country, two systems'

21 June 2019
The turmoil over Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, left, and the extradition law may force the hand of Chinese President Xi Jinping as the issue makes headlines around the world. (Source photos by Kyodo/Getty Images)
Hong Kong protests

Xi's Hong Kong headache darkens chief Lam's future

US ups pressure on China as protests influence Taiwan election

17 June 2019
"The recent image of Tsai's firm stance to protect Taiwan's sovereignty as the president has gained a lot of people's support"
Politics

Taiwan leader Tsai wins party nomination for 2020 election

Incumbency and anti-China stance boost president amid Hong Kong unrest

13 June 2019
Former Taiwan premier William Lai, left, is mounting an intraparty challenge against incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen in this week's Democratic Progressive Party primary.
Politics

Taiwan's presidential primary pits Tsai against China hardliner

Mass protest in Hong Kong boosts island's independence-leaning ruling party

12 June 2019
A cargo ship in Qingdao, China: Weaker exports stemming from the trade war are weighing on Asian economies.
The Nikkei View

US-China trade tensions threaten the global growth engine

It's time to engineer a soft landing before the damage spreads

5 June 2019