Taiwan tensions

Anti-landing barricades are placed on a beach in Taiwan's Kinmen with Xiamen, China, in the background.
Taiwan tensions

Trump downplays Taiwan risk in China talks, expects fair trade deal

USTR Greer accuses Beijing of engaging in 'economic coercion'

21 October 2025
The KMT's Cheng Li-wun speaks about her plans at the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club. (Photo by Michael Saul Garber)
Politics

KMT picks upstart Cheng Li-wun as new leader, jolting Taiwan's old guard

55-year-old is second woman to be elected chief in opposition party's history

19 October 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
Comment

Trump risks roiling ties if he tweaks wording on Taiwan to please China

Experts fear US may shift from 'not supporting' independence to outright 'opposing' it

18 October 2025
An honor guard is seen in front of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. The Kuomintang, Taiwan's biggest opposition party, is set to elect a new leader this weekend.
Politics

Taiwan's KMT to pick new leader after fierce race: 5 things to know

Opposition party's Saturday vote will decide generational and ideological battle

17 October 2025
Taipei on Oct. 9. Squabbling has erupted inside Taiwan's KMT over alleged Chinese interference ahead of a leadership vote this coming weekend.
Politics

Taiwan's KMT leadership contest roiled by accusations of Chinese influence

Party bigwig calls on Beijing to stop videos, urges security agency to investigate

14 October 2025
Containers and equipment are seen at Taiwan's Port of Keelung in April.
Trade

Tech power Taiwan's global trade diplomacy struggles for traction

Canada keeps Taipei waiting on concluded pact, sources say, as others hold off

12 October 2025
Chinese and Taiwanese flags are seen in this illustration.
Taiwan tensions

China issues bounty for Taiwan PsyOps unit for 'separatism'

Tensions escalate as Taipei boosts defenses and rejects Beijing's accusations

11 October 2025
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivers his National Day address in Taipei on Oct. 10.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan's Lai vows 'T-Dome' air defense, economic support in key speech

On National Day, president urges China to 'renounce use of force'; Beijing condemns remarks

10 October 2025
Sanae Takaichi met with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, left, in April and hopes to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping this fall. (Source photos by Nikkei and Reuters)
International relations

Takaichi's LDP attempts balancing act between China and Taiwan

Japan's likely next leader will refrain from sending a high-profile lawmaker to the island

9 October 2025
Chinese soldiers march during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing on Sept. 3.
Taiwan tensions

China honing abilities for possible attack, Taiwan defense report warns

Biennial study says 'cyber army' sowing division, while drills could shift to real combat

9 October 2025
Cheng Li-Wun, a Kuomintang leadership candidate who has emerged as a strong contender, speaks about her views and plans at a recent briefing hosted by the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club. (Michael Saul Garber)
Politics

KMT dark horse rises in Taiwan opposition party's leadership race

Cheng Li-Wun, a vocal critic of President Lai, vows to be 'peacemaker' with China

1 October 2025
Taiwanese Black Hawk helicopters prepare to land at Taoyuan International Airport as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in July 2023.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan stresses readiness after report on China-Russia military cooperation

Think tank RUSI spotlights apparent Moscow agreement to equip, train airborne forces

30 September 2025
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te speaks at a conference titled "Resilient Taiwan for Sustainable Democracy" on Sept. 20 in Taipei. (Taiwan’s Presidential Office)
Taiwan tensions

'No time to lose': Lai urges broad Taiwan defense and resilience buildup

Repeats vow to raise spending after report Trump stopped $400m in military aid

20 September 2025
An event commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on Aug. 16.
Taiwan tensions

US wades into Taiwan status question and draws KMT backlash

Statement rejecting China's view of WWII documents highlights divide in Taipei

19 September 2025
An autonomous cruise missile developed by Taiwan and Anduril Industries is showcased at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition. (Photo by Tsukasa Hadano)
Defense

Taiwan shows off US defense cooperation with jointly developed missile

Island displays defense tech at expo amid China threat, Trump pressure

19 September 2025
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has reshuffled his cabinet ahead of major tests for his government.
Politics

Taiwan's Lai aims to overcome political gridlock after cabinet shakeup

Minister says reshuffle signals economic focus, desire for 'common ground' with opposition

12 September 2025
China's newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, sailed through the Taiwan Strait and into the South China Sea, the Chinese navy said on Sept. 12, as part of its sea trials. (Xinhua via Kyodo) 
Defense

China's newest aircraft carrier transits Taiwan Strait

Ship sails into contested South China Sea as part of trial run

12 September 2025
Eric Chu, chairman of Taiwan's largest opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), makes a speech during celebrations of the party's 130th anniversary in November 2024. He has said he does not plan to run for a third term, although politics watchers are not counting him out.
Politics

KMT seeks next leader as Taiwan's political drama simmers

Internal race highlights opposition party's challenge of calibrating stance on China

6 September 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping is flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as they attend a military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Pool/Tass)
International relations

China showcases military muscle as Xi hosts Putin and Kim at parade

World faces 'peace or war' choice, Xi says; guests highlight East-West divide

3 September 2025
U.K. Secretary of State for Defence John Healey (left) and Japan's Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani right) speaking on board HMS Prince of Wales, docked in Tokyo. (Source photos by Mitsuru Obe)
International relations

UK to deepen 'quasi-alliance' with Japan, but NATO remains priority

London strengthens ties with Tokyo so they can work together in a time of crisis

1 September 2025
TSMC recently fired several employees for violating rules on obtaining sensitive information related to cutting-edge chips and initiated legal action.
Technology

Taiwan indicts trio for alleged theft of TSMC's 2-nm trade secrets

Case involves former employee of Japan's top chip tool maker Tokyo Electron

28 August 2025
A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is positioned at a park during Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taichung on July 12.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan to hike 2026 defense budget above 3% of GDP amid US pressure

Premier says plan shows 'concrete determination' to defend sovereignty, security

21 August 2025
A beach near Taiwan's Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, which was shut down in May. A referendum on Saturday will ask voters whether they think the facility should be reopened. (Anadolu via Getty Images)
Interview

Taiwan needs nuclear restart for security, urges opposition party chief

TPP's Huang seeks 'yes' vote in Saturday referendum on reopening plant

21 August 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One before his meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15. During the flight, he told Fox News that China's Xi Jinping had promised no invasion of Taiwan during the Trump administration.
Taiwan tensions

After Trump quotes Xi on Taiwan, China calls for 'peaceful reunification'

US president said Chinese counterpart vowed no invasion while he is in White House

18 August 2025
Cheng Hsin-mei, the screenwriter and producer of "Zero Day Attack," says "every layer of Taiwanese society has been infiltrated by China." (Photo by Thompson Chau)
Interview

Taiwan's 'Zero Day Attack' showrunner takes on China taboo

Series premiers locally on Saturday before Japan release on war anniversary

2 August 2025
Xiaohongshu, known as China's Instagram, has more than 300 million active users and is popular among young people in Taiwan.
Taiwan tensions

'China's Instagram' used to steer Taiwan public opinion: Taipei official

Apps such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin collect vast amounts of personal data

31 July 2025
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te attends a coast guard drill in Kaohsiung on June 8.
International relations

Taiwan's Lai faces new Trump test after report of nixed New York stop

Washington apparently denied trip as it engages China in sensitive trade talks

29 July 2025
Ballots on whether to recall up to 31 Kuomintang lawmakers will take place starting July 26, catalyzing a wave of protest against what supporters of progressive President Lai Ching-te see as obstruction by the KMT as it campaigns for closer ties with China. (Illustration by Yoshiko Kawano)
Policy Asia

Taiwan's hot political summer: KMT lawmakers face wave of recall votes

Campaigners aiming to oust opposition incumbents say effort is 'last line of defense'

28 July 2025
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu, left, makes a speech in Taipei while lawmakers celebrate after the party won recall elections on July 26.
Politics

Taiwan's opposition KMT emerges stronger after fending off recalls

Party claims vindication while ruling DPP faces pressure to compromise

28 July 2025