Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping: Moscow and Beijing use AI to shape public sentiment in Ukraine and Taiwan. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
Comment

China and Russia bolster disinformation arsenal with real facts

Stealth campaigns seek to manipulate public opinion in Taiwan and Ukraine

4 February 2024
Former Taiwanese presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu speaks at a Kuomintang election rally in Kaohsiung on Jan. 7.
Taiwan elections

Taiwanese legislature picks populist China-leaning speaker

Election of Han Kuo-yu raises questions about defense spending to counter Beijing

1 February 2024
Taiwan’s Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-te, right, meets with the co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus -- Democrat Rep. Ami Bera, second from left, and Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, left -- in Taipei on Jan. 25. (Taiwan Presidential Office/AP)
The Nikkei View

U.S. should stay committed to Asia's security

Deterring Chinese aggression and engaging with Beijing are both important

31 January 2024
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump sits behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office in July 2019. Trump has compared China to the desk and Taiwan to the tip of a Sharpie.
U.S. elections 2024

Would a Trump presidency change China's calculations on Taiwan?

Republican candidate's indifference on island is among 'worst kept secrets in Washington'

30 January 2024
Stream article image
Indo-Pacific

Nikkei Film: Solomon Islands, the divisions created by pro-China policy

Even a hegemonic power cannot easily impose its will on the island nation

28 January 2024
You Si-kun, a strong advocate of Taiwanese sovereignty, has been in the public eye for four decades and now is the speaker of the legislature. (Legislative Yuan)
International relations

Taiwan has broken China's 'diplomatic blockade,' legislative speaker says

75-year-old You Si-kun fears opposition efforts to scupper defense spending

26 January 2024
A man votes in Tuvalu's general elections in Funafuti on Jan. 26. (Tuvalu Election Office via Reuters)
Politics

Tuvalu votes as election spotlights climate migration, Taiwan ties

Outcome could affect security deal with Australia and Pacific geopolitics

26 January 2024
An image of Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen through digitally decorated glass during the 2020 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China. 
Opinion

Taiwan and Japan must learn from Russian cyberwarfare

Private-sector cooperation can bolster readiness for possible Chinese attacks

25 January 2024
Lai Ching-te, right, is set to start his term as Taiwan's next president from a much weaker position than that of incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen, left.
Opinion

Political compromise key for Lai to build Taiwan's resilience

Challenges facing island too daunting to face without new consensus

24 January 2024
Following the election of the DPP's Lai Ching-te, some Taiwanese think Beijing may cancel the bilateral Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. 
Opinion

Taiwan needs economic support from U.S., not just arms

China's use of trade coercion to sway island's election highlights vulnerability

23 January 2024
Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te, right, shakes hands with Keiji Furuya, head of the Japan-Republic of China Diet Members' Consultative Council. (Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party via Kyodo)
International relations

Japan lawmakers seek security talks with Taiwan and U.S.

Three-way dialogue to focus on cross-strait tensions after Lai's win

23 January 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., right, with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in January 2023. (cnsphoto via Reuters)
Opinion

Marcos' embrace of Taiwan's Lai was more than a friendly gesture

With focus on Philippine economy and security, president braves Chinese rebuke

22 January 2024
The U.S. Congress plans to continue its bipartisan support of Taiwan by sending a delegation to meet with the island's lawmakers and president-elect. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)
International relations

U.S. lawmakers seek closer ties with Taiwan's opposition parties

As hung parliament looms, delegation to visit island in show of support for democracy

21 January 2024
China is expanding its surveillance regime through official means and by recruiting citizen informants. (Photo by Naoki Matsuda)
Politics

China mobilizes public against 'spying,' from maps to finance

Security ministry touts crackdown on Taiwan activists as new law broadens reach

20 January 2024
The World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos closed on Jan 19. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Davos 2024

Trump, wars in Ukraine and Gaza overshadow Asia in Davos

Eurocentric gathering shifts spotlight on conflicts in and close to home

20 January 2024
From left, Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te, Chinese President Xi Jinping and KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih. Lai will need Hou's cooperation if Taiwan is to keep China at bay. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kento Awashima, Yusuke Hinata, and Reuters)
China up close

Analysis: In Taiwan, distrust of Xi Jinping's China is real

The sense of crisis is also shared by members of Beijing-friendly opposition parties

18 January 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 17.
Davos 2024

Taiwan is a 'powerful affirmation of democracy,' Blinken tells Davos

After rebuke from China, U.S. diplomat says cross-strait relations are concern for all

18 January 2024
Democratic Progressive Party supporters in Taipei celebrate the victory of Lai Ching-te in Taiwan's presidential election on Jan. 13. 
Opinion

Taiwan voters have given everyone a reason to be pleased

Each of the island's three contending parties can claim a victory

17 January 2024
Lai Ching-te waves to supporters in Taipei on Jan. 13, when he won a tight three-way race for Taiwan's presidency. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
The Nikkei View

China must respect Taiwan's choice to maintain distance

Presidential election result reflects voters' desire to keep the status quo

17 January 2024
Former U.S. President Donald Trump scored a decisive win in the Republican caucuses in Iowa on Jan. 15.
Taiwan elections

Trump-Lai wild card combination stokes fear in Beijing, analyst says

Taiwan president-elect likely to face forceful response from China, experts say

17 January 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said William Lai Ching-te's election victory was a "matter for the people of Taiwan." (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kento Awashima and Reuters)
Taiwan elections

Australia cautions Beijing to 'respect' outcome of Taiwan elections

China appeared to dismiss Democratic Progressive Party's victory in weekend polls

16 January 2024
The tiny Micronesian island of Nauru has switched diplomatic allegiance from Taipei to Beijing.
Taiwan tensions

Nauru cuts diplomatic ties with Taiwan after Lai election win

Pacific island's move leaves Taipei with just 12 formal allies

15 January 2024
Former U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley looks on as Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at the Presidential Office in Taipei on Jan. 15.
Taiwan elections

U.S. delegation to Taiwan offers support for Lai's election victory

Former officials talk of 'rock solid' commitment to democratic island

15 January 2024
President-elect Lai Ching-te says he will follow his predecessor's path to assure global allies that their chip production in Taiwan is safe. (Source photos by Reuters and Hiroki Endo)
Semiconductors

Taiwan chip stocks rise after Lai vows to further boost industry

President-elect says China and global society should 'cherish' island's tech success

15 January 2024
Lai Ching-te of Taiwan's ruling DPP on stage with a candidate for the legislative council elections in Taipei, Taiwan, in Dec. 2023. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's Lai faces tough road ahead after historic election win

DPP's loss of legislative majority means president-elect may struggle to pass bills

14 January 2024