Politics

25 August 2024
A Nvidia display at Computex in Taipei. Nvidia is developing an AI R&D center in Taiwan's capital that will employ 1,000 engineers. 
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te pays his respects at a ceremony commemorating the war against Chinese forces on the frontline island of Kinmen on Aug. 23.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan's Lai visits island off China, pledging both peace and defense

Kinmen trip comes day after Taiwanese military personnel convicted of spying for Beijing

23 August 2024
Former Taiwanese Digital Minister Audrey Tang speaks with reporters in Sydney on Aug. 13. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
International relations

'Pre-bunking' is key tactic in disinformation fight, says Taiwan's Audrey Tang

Former digital minister says important to warn public to brace for fake news

16 August 2024
Ko Wen-je, leader of the Taiwan People's Party, has blamed the alleged misreporting of campaign expenses on an accountant.
Politics

Taiwan's third-largest party dogged by corruption scandals

Taiwan People's Party's support plunges to 6% amid backlash

16 August 2024
In recent years, quite a few American politicians and foreign policy experts have vocally demanded that Taiwan increase its defense spending.
Opinion

Excessive U.S. pressure on Taiwan defense spending plays into CCP's hands

American policy influencers should explain that Taipei needs encouragement, not punishment

15 August 2024
Amid surging labor demand in an AI boom, Vietnam aims to train at least 50,000 chip engineers and designers by 2030 as industry giants look to offset severe staff shortages in their home markets. (Illustration by Yoshiko Kawano)
The Big Story

Vietnam turns chip sector magnet with affordable, quality talent pool

US, Taiwan, South Korean players beat path to Vietnam though boom strains resources

14 August 2024
A rescuer stands by trucks equipped with cranes conveyed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Kyiv region of northern Ukraine, on April 25, 2023.
Opinion

Japan and South Korea must put 'Asia First' over Ukraine support

Focusing on aid to Kyiv risks compromising the two nations' regional security needs

8 August 2024
Soldiers participate in a drill in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on July 23.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan's defense budget will hit new record next year, president says

Lai says $19.7bn plan will help 'ensure peace and prosperity'

6 August 2024
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, left, and Defense Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, center, attend a ceremony with new army recruits at a military camp in Taichung in June.
Asia Insight

Taiwan turns to own 'Iron Duke' Wellington Koo to deter China

Civilian defense minister aims to sharpen asymmetric warfare capabilities

6 August 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris could become the first female U.S. president.
U.S. elections 2024

Harris could become the 1st female U.S. leader; Asia's had several

Over 13 Asian countries and regions including Australia and Taiwan have had women heads

4 August 2024
A security staff member confiscates a towel with the word "Taiwan" on it at Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris on Aug. 2.
Sports

Taiwan protests confiscation of fan's 'Taiwan' towel at Olympic site

At same event, another Taiwanese had a banner snatched by an unknown man

3 August 2024
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrives to speak to a gathering of foreign lawmakers in Taipei on July 30, telling the conference Taiwan will work with others to protect democracy from "the threat of authoritarian expansionism."
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan president urges democracies to unite

Lai Ching-te makes the call at Taipei's largest gathering of foreign lawmakers

30 July 2024
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested Taiwan pay the U.S. for its defense. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Taiwan Military News Agency/Taiwan's Defense Ministry/AP)
Comment

Would Trump defend Taiwan?

Former U.S. president may see issue simply as leverage in China talks

26 July 2024
Joseph Wu, Taiwan's previous foreign minister, left, and Filip Grzegorzewski, head of the European Union office in Taipei, commemorate 20 years of ties between the EU and Taiwan in Taipei in June 2023.
Opinion

Europe must prepare militarily and economically for a Taiwan war

Once merely aware of the risks, European leaders now have deep concerns

25 July 2024
Taiwanese chip and tech are being buffeted by political uncertainty in the U.S. as the presidential election approaches.
Technology

Taiwan tech stocks hit as Biden drops out of U.S. race

Analysts say high valuations and political uncertainty are increasing volatility

22 July 2024
Soldiers handle their guns during last year's Han Kuang drills in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The Defense Ministry is seeking to make the exercises more closely resemble real-world combat scenarios.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan starts annual defense drills with emphasis on realistic combat

New administration revamps exercises as China cranks up pressure

22 July 2024
A Taiwanese fishing boat sets sail to Taiping Island, Taiwan's sole holding in the disputed Spratly Islands, in protest against a tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea on July 20, 2016. 
Opinion

The tragic cost of Taiwan's silence on its South China Sea claims

Pressure from Washington undermines Taiwan's sovereignty and self-advocacy

22 July 2024
The Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel Sagami took part in the joint exercise. (Japan Coast Guard)
Taiwan tensions

China protests Japan-Taiwan joint coast guard drill

Taipei says it conducted search and rescue exercise with Japanese counterpart

19 July 2024
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung speaks to foreign media in Taipei on July 19. (Photo by Lauly Li)
International relations

Taiwan to go global with 'New Southbound Fund,' foreign minister says

Top diplomat seeks cooperative tech investment and a 'democracy supply chain'

19 July 2024
U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has suggested Taiwan should "pay us for defense" and is expected to pose challenges for Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te. (Source photos by Reuters)
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan braces for transactional Trump after 'pay for defense' remark

Experts see pressure to lift military budget, risk of becoming China bargaining chip

18 July 2024
Tighter U.S. restrictions on exporting chip technology to China could be a big blow to companies like Tokyo Electron and ASML.
Semiconductors

Chip stocks tumble on fears of China tech curbs, Trump's Taiwan remarks

TSMC, Tokyo Electron, Nvidia decline in global tech sell-off

18 July 2024
Donald Trump chose Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance to be his vice presidential running mate.
Opinion

J.D. Vance pick as Trump VP signals support for Taiwan over Ukraine

Ohio senator's China views line up with foreign policy thinkers that prioritize Asia

17 July 2024
Weng Hsiao-ling, a lawmaker from the main opposition Kuomintang, explains her plans to change the way the Constitutional Court functions on July 11. (Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club photo)
Politics

Taiwan opposition seeks top court rule change as key decisions loom

Call to lift minimum number of judges raises concerns over bench's ability to function

12 July 2024
Taiwan's newly appointed Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, left, stands with President-elect Lai Ching-te in April, ahead of Lai's inauguration. Lin is working to rev up Taipei's economic diplomacy, officials say. (Photo by AFP/Jiji)
International relations

Taiwan foreign minister steps up economic diplomacy under China pressure

Lin Chia-lung aims to establish overseas industrial zones, insiders say

11 July 2024
The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong in April 2023: The warship passed close to the Philippines on its way to drills in the Pacific, Taiwan's defense minister said on July 10. (Handout via Reuters)
South China Sea

Chinese carrier passes near Philippines on way to drills: Taiwan

Shandong, J-16 fighters and H-6 bombers head to western Pacific

10 July 2024