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Taiwan

Taiwan
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Taiwan, covering politics, economy, society and the island's relationship with mainland China.
South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back (left) speaks with US undersecretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby (right) during their meeting in Seoul on January 26. Photo: AFP/ South Korean Defence Ministry
US-China relations

Pentagon eyes expanded role for South Korea-based US forces to help deter China

US defence policy chief signals ‘model ally’ Seoul should take the lead on North Korea as Washington refocuses on first island chain.

China’s military drills

PLA Navy warns off foreign jets with jamming missiles near Taiwan: CCTV

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Semiconductors

Nvidia’s Jensen Huang urges TSMC to expand capacity amid AI chip crunch

Cathay Pacific

‘Technical issue’ forces Hong Kong-bound Cathay flight to return to Kaohsiung

Flight CX449 returns to Taiwanese city on Sunday morning shortly after take-off, with passengers rebooked onto other flights.

Cathay Pacific flight CX449 bound for Hong Kong returned to Kaohsiung shortly after take-off on Sunday morning. Photo: Handout
Greenland

Letters | What an image of Trump and a penguin reveals about the White House

Readers discuss an elementary error by the US administration, a high-profile free solo climb, and phone addiction.

China-Philippines relations

Asian Angle | South China Sea: 6 risks facing Philippines, China as conflict threshold lowers

From violent incidents to US missiles in Luzon, a ‘perilous new normal’ and vanishing red lines threaten to derail the Code of Conduct.

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China travel

As diplomatic row drags on, how is Japan coping with a fall in Chinese tourists?

Chinese tourism to Japan has plunged amid a diplomatic feud. But Japan’s travel sector is holding up – and its airlines have even made some gains.

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Tourists carrying suitcases walk through Toky’s Ginza shopping district. Chinese travel to Japan has plunged amid a diplomatic row over Taiwan. Photo: EPA
Corruption in China

China’s military redoubles corruption fight in wake of Zhang Youxia’s downfall

PLA mouthpiece warns troops not to be blindly optimistic or totally pessimistic about winning the war against graft.

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United States

US defence strategy omission raises alarm in Taiwan over Trump’s intentions

Document splits opinion, with some experts fearing that the island could become a bargaining chip between Washington and Beijing.

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United States

US may have averted major shutdown by splitting bill, but partial closure is on

House approval still needed, with a funding lapse expected before lawmakers move to pass the spending package early next week.

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US President Donald Trump signs the funding bill to end the US government shutdown in November. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | China’s rejection of Darwinian geopolitics is rooted in its history

Davos signalled the collapse of the post-war order but not what will replace it. China can play a role in preventing a descent into anarchy.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
US-China relations

Senate bills give clear message to Trump to back Taiwan as Xi meeting approaches

Thursday’s bills send signal to White House that US partnership with Taipei must not be forgotten as Trump threatens Cuba tariffs.

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Semiconductors

Nvidia wins approval for Taiwan headquarters to secure AI chip supply

Jensen Huang’s expansion plan highlights Silicon Valley chip designer’s reliance on TSMC as AI demand accelerates.

Japan

Why more Japanese than ever support strengthening the military

A record-high survey result reflects how the war in Ukraine and regional tensions have reshaped Japan’s once cautious security outlook.

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A launch ceremony for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s newly built submarine Sogei at a Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe, western Japan, on October 14, 2025. Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong logs US$37 million Admiralty office deal amid market recovery hopes

The sale follows a series of sizeable office transactions and a pickup in leasing, as investors reassess opportunities in Hong Kong.

Admiralty Centre: property agents point to improving sentiment in the commercial segment. Photo: Handout
Semiconductors

Beijing weighs H200 imports amid uncertainty for China tech giants

More than 400,000 H200 chips reportedly approved for ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent as China balances AI needs with tech self-reliance push.

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Mainland China

Communist Party and KMT revive forum stalled by decade of cross-strait tensions

Dialogue channel could pave the way for a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese opposition party leader Cheng Li-wun.

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Mainland China

Taiwan’s defence ministry slams TPP’s ‘unworkable’ military spending plan

Opposition party’s proposal would drop plans for ‘T-Dome’ air defence system and cut budget ceiling to US$12.7 billion.

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Taiwan’s military conducts a live-fire drill with US-made Himars on May 12 in Pingtung county, Taiwan. Photo: EPA-EFE
Japan

Why Japan’s public is ‘happy’ to see a Chinese tourist drought

Travel operators say business has so far remained resilient, with strong demand from other parts of Asia, Europe and the US.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s exports jump 15.4% in 2025 to ‘historical high’

City’s trade to be supported by sustained global growth, improved ties with new markets and strong demand for AI products, authorities say.

Hong Kong entertainment

What were lead singer Rosé’s local snack choices at Blackpink’s Hong Kong shows?

Classic street foods take the spotlight as K-pop star samples local favourites throughout the group’s world tour finale at Kai Tak Stadium.

Blackpink star Rosé sampled a host of local snacks during the group’s final world tour shows at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

Ties will collapse if US forces are hit in Taiwan and Tokyo won’t act: Takaichi

‘We would respond strictly within the limits of the law,’ Japanese PM says, elaborating on remarks that angered Beijing in November.

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“If the US forces, acting jointly with us, come under attack and Japan does nothing and simply runs away, the Japan-US alliance would collapse,” Sanae Takaichi said on Monday. Photo: EPA
United States

Taiwan launches firepower hub with US as PLA pressure intensifies

Taipei is ramping up coordination between its US-made weapons systems and locally developed missile capabilities.

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China-Japan relations

Beijing issues new Japan travel warning as row over PM’s Taiwan comments drags on

Citizens warned against visiting ahead of Lunar New Year holiday as Chinese airlines extend deadline for refunds or flight changes.

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Climbing and mountaineering

Video | US climber conquers Taipei 101

Alex Honnold conquers the 508m tower without ropes, harnesses, safety gear or parachute to complete tallest urban free solo climb in history.

epa12678932 US rock climber Alex Honnold climbs the Taipei 101 skyscraper building, in Taipei, Taiwan, 25 January 2026. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
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William Lai

What next for Taiwan as William Lai refuses to attend impeachment hearings?

Lawmakers from ruling DPP have dismissed process as political theatre designed to generate publicity ahead of election season.

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Opposition parties accuse Taiwanese leader William Lai of showing contempt for parliament and evading democratic scrutiny. Photo: EPA
China-Asean relations

Why China was so keen to get to alleged cybercrime boss Chen Zhi first

Young tycoon, who was indicted by the US in October, was extradited from Cambodia this month, accused of running a vast scam network.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong travel agency backs out of Taiwan trip over controversial film screening

Jetport Travel also distances itself from promotion of tour organised by e-commerce platform As One, says wording ‘crossed the line’.

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