by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Explainer: What is ‘Taiwan independence’ and is Taiwan already independent? The issue of Taiwan’s independence has been a contentious and complex topic for decades, with far-reaching implications for the island, China, and the global community. At its core, the question of Taiwan’s independence revolves around the island’s political status and…
by Martib Haffner Associate Editor Taipei, Taiwan – In a move aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty and national security, Taiwan’s government is intensifying its crackdown on businesses and individuals assisting Taiwanese citizens in obtaining Chinese identity cards. The measures, recently announced and implemented, reflect growing concerns over potential risks associated with dual citizenship and Beijing’s…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s stock market fell Friday, driven by a drop in TSMC shares after US President Donald Trump accused Taiwan of taking the semiconductor industry from the US. The Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index or TAIEX closed down 246.8 points at 23,152.61. Turnover totaled NT$398.3 billion…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor aiwan President Lai Ching-te has pledged to boost military spending, a move aimed at showing U.S. President Donald Trump that the self-ruled island is committed to defending itself from China. Lai said at a news briefing in Taipei on Friday that Taiwan would boost expenditure to 3% of GDP, though…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Explosion at Taiwan Department Store Kills 1 and Leaves 10 Others Hospitalized Taipei, Taiwan – A tragic explosion rocked a popular department store in the bustling heart of Taipei on Tuesday, resulting in the death of one individual and leaving ten others hospitalized. The incident occurred around noon, sending shockwaves…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a notable show of military presence, two US Navy warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on [insert specific date], marking the first time American naval vessels have traversed the sensitive waterway since the inauguration of former President Donald Trump in January 2017. This strategic maneuver underscores the United States’…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a bold and unprecedented move, the Chinese government has initiated a comprehensive campaign aimed at reshaping global perceptions of Taiwan and intensifying its diplomatic efforts to isolate the self-governing island. This multifaceted strategy includes a mix of social media campaigns, targeted diplomacy, and economic incentives designed to sow discord…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor TAIWAN SEEKS ALASKAN NATURAL GAS TO AVOID US TARIFFS Taipei, Taiwan – In a bid to reduce its reliance on US natural gas supplies and mitigate the impact of potential US tariffs, Taiwan authorities are exploring the purchase of natural gas from Alaska. The move is part of an effort…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor TAIPEI, TAIWAN – In a recent update, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has confirmed that the country’s air and naval surveillance detected a significant number of Chinese military assets operating near its shores on [date]. According to reports, a total of 14 Chinese aircraft were spotted in the area,…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a significant move towards safeguarding national security, Taiwan’s government has officially banned the use of DeepSeek, an AI-powered data analysis tool, for all governmental operations. The decision was made public during a press conference held by Government Minister Hsiao Hsu-hua on Tuesday, citing pressing concerns over data privacy and…