A Chinese warship navigates near Pengjia Islet in northern Taiwan, in this handout image released May 23. (Taiwan Coast Guard via Reuters)
Taiwan tensions

China launches 'punishment' military drills surrounding Taiwan

Days after Lai inauguration in Taipei, PLA says exercises will surround island

23 May 2024
Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers protest in the foreground while the Kuomintang's Han Kuo-yu, the parliament speaker, looks on in the background during a legislative session on May 21.
Politics

Taiwan faces legislative showdown as China lashes out: 5 things to know

Pressure mounts on opposition to defuse crisis over its bills seen as 'power grab'

23 May 2024
Lai Ching-te begins his presidency of Taiwan with little room to maneuver, pinned in by Xi Jinping and the Kuomintang, Taiwan's largest opposition party. (Source photos by AP and Yusuke Hinata)
China up close

Analysis: Xi Jinping weighs options as Taiwan inaugurates a new president

China can consider a blockade or hope the opposition KMT undermines Lai Ching-te

23 May 2024
Demonstrators gather outside Taiwan's Legislative Yuan during a parliamentary session in Taipei.
Politics

Taiwan opposition bills delayed amid large protests

Another attempt to pass legislation that curtails presidential power is expected Friday

22 May 2024
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, shakes hands with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 20. (Russian Foreign Ministry via Reuters)
International relations

China mounts diplomatic offensive as Taiwan's Lai takes office

FM Wang Yi affirms 'One China' principle with Russia, others in bid to isolate Taipei

22 May 2024
Toshimitsu Motegi, secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has called Taiwan an "irreplaceable friend." (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)
International relations

Japan to deepen ties with Taiwan, top LDP official says

In-person talks sought with lawmakers from Washington and Taipei

21 May 2024
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te delivers his inaugural speech after being sworn into office in Taipei on May 20.
Politics

Lai Ching-te urges China to accept Taiwan's existence in inaugural speech

Beijing slams 'dangerous signals' as miner's son completes rise to presidency

20 May 2024
Taiwan lawmakers argue and trade blows during a parliamentary session in Taipei on May 17, amid the opposition coalition's drive to pass controversial bills.
Politics

Taiwan's Lai faces early pressure from opposition legislative power play

KMT and TPP, which hold majority, criticized for rushing laws that sparked brawl

20 May 2024
During eight years in power, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen positioned the democracy as a bastion of liberty in a world facing authoritarian expansionism.
Politics

Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's steely promoter, wraps up historic presidency

Most powerful woman in Chinese-speaking world leaves her mark on diplomacy, society

18 May 2024
Taiwanese helicopters fly past the Taipei 101 skyscraper on May 13, ahead of President-elect Lai Ching-te's inauguration. Defense officials have said they are ready for moves by China surrounding the May 20 event.
Taiwan tensions

China cranks up pressure on Taiwan ahead of Lai's inauguration

Beijing seen leaving room to 'escalate the situation,' researcher says

17 May 2024
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te will be sworn in next week.
International relations

U.S. to send two ex-government officials to Taiwan inauguration

White House sticks to precedent, warns China not to escalate

15 May 2024
Taiwan navy ships take part in a combat readiness drill on Jan. 31: The island's military is unprepared to hold out against protracted attack.
Opinion

Taiwan is moving too slowly to prepare for war. Japan can help

Lai administration must be persuaded to accelerate push into asymmetrical defense

15 May 2024
A soldier participates in a military drill in Tainan, Taiwan.
Defense

Taiwan defense strategic ambiguity needs clarifying: U.S. analyst

Next American president should uphold Biden's pledge of military action, Matt Pottinger argues

15 May 2024
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the Human Rights Press Awards ceremony in Taipei on May 10. (Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club)
International relations

Outgoing president praises Taiwan as press freedom hub

Tsai speaks at awards ceremony as rival Hong Kong cracks down on news media

11 May 2024
In October 2019, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, right, talks with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
International relations

China outweighs Ukraine war as U.S. security priority: Trump-linked group

Ex-aides in America First institute lay foreign policy groundwork for possible second term

10 May 2024
The Taipei skyline. A former ambassador in the Donald Trump administration blamed regional tensions on Chinese President Xi Jinping and insisted Washington's position on Taiwan will not change regardless of who wins the November election. 
US-China tensions

Trump ex-envoy 'reassures' Taiwan on U.S. support against 'belligerent' Xi

VP-elect Hsiao tells forum Taipei must 'invest in building our strength first'

7 May 2024
China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, departs a Shanghai shipyard for sea trials on May 1: One Chinese commentator said the timing of the shakedown cruise was deliberate.
Defense

China flexes muscle at sea as new aircraft carrier starts trials

Move follows water cannon blasts on Philippine ships, islet tensions with Japan

1 May 2024
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu speaks to Nikkei Asia during an interview in Taipei on April 30. (Photo by Lauly Li)
Interview

Taiwan hails U.S.-Japan-Philippines ties as 'great deterrent' to China

Foreign Minister Wu says Beijing decision to invade not imminent or inevitable

30 April 2024
Taiwanese on March 18, 2024 commemorate the Sunflower Movement, which has left a deep impression on the island's political life that will be felt by President-elect Lai Ching-te, set to be inaugurated May 20. (Photo by EPA=Jiji)
Asia Insight

Taiwan's Sunflower protest legacy looms large for incoming president Lai

New generations build pressure for change 10 years after movement paved way for DPP wins

30 April 2024
Ferry service between Fujian's Pingtan, seen here in September 2023, and Taiwan remains suspended. (Photo by Yukio Tajima)
Politics

China to lift Taiwan tourism restrictions for Fujian residents

Decision announced to delegation from Beijing-friendly KMT opposition

29 April 2024
A Patriot missile unit outside the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo in 2017: The government should not be taking weapons out of its air defenses at this time.
Opinion

Japan should be worrying about Taiwan, not Ukraine

Given growing threat from China, defense systems needed urgently at home

26 April 2024
Taiwan Vice President Lai Ching-te, left, and running mate Hsiao Bi-khim wave after claiming victory in January's presidential election.
Opinion

Taiwan's Lai should not overlook 'new south' neighbors

Tsai Ing-wen's signature policy has built considerable goodwill

25 April 2024
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te, right, speaks next to incoming National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu at a news conference in Taipei on April 25.
Politics

Taiwan president-elect picks team of security, diplomatic heavyweights

Lai prioritizes cabinet stability amid China pressure, U.S. election uncertainty

25 April 2024
Chinese People's Liberation Army aircraft conduct training exercises near Taiwan. (Xinhua via AP)
Interview

China wants ability to invade Taiwan by 2027, U.S. admiral says

John Aquilino warns Beijing is building up military despite economic challenges

24 April 2024
A member of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy stands guard on the Shijiazhuang, a guided-missile destroyer, as warships are opened for public viewing to mark the Navy's upcoming 75th anniversary in Qingdao on April 20. 
Defense

East Asia military spending up 6.2% as China tensions mount, report shows

Japan marks biggest rise since 1972; data comes amid rush of regional talks, drills

22 April 2024