Richard Sanders, Singapore — The Philippines is actively pursuing deeper security cooperation with Taiwan and a broader coalition of nations committed to deterring what Manila describes as China’s “nefarious plans” in the region, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro declared over the weekend. Speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in…
Frank Williams, Phnom Penh Diplomatic efforts may be underway to prevent a worsening confrontation between Washington and Havana, according to sources at the Cuban Embassy in Phnom Penh, who said there have been overtures from the Catholic Church to mediate between the two governments in the interest of avoiding military conflict. The reported mediation efforts…
Frank Williams, Phnom Penh Taiwanese officials and analysts will be closely monitoring the U.S. president’s visit to Beijing, viewing the high‑profile talks as a significant moment for regional stability. While the discussions centered on easing friction between Washington and Beijing, political leaders in Taipei remain steady but alert. From Taiwan’s perspective, great‑power dialogue is generally…
Richard Sanders, Phnom Penh A bipartisan group of US senators is urging President Donald Trump to advance a long‑pending US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan, which has been paused ahead of Trump’s upcoming trip to China. The sale, approved in principle last year, has reportedly been stalled as the White House seeks to avoid friction…
Frank Williams, Associate Editor China has condemned Eswatini for hosting Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, accusing the southern African kingdom of giving a platform to “Taiwan independence,” in an escalating diplomatic row. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters on Wednesday that Beijing opposes Eswatini’s decision to receive Lai, who arrived in the kingdom on Saturday for a…
Frank Williams, Associate Editor MBABANE, Eswatini — Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini, where he was received by Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, in a trip that was kept under wraps until his arrival. The unannounced visit marks a renewed show of friendship between Taiwan and one of its few remaining diplomatic allies, despite rising pressure…
Richard Saunders, Siem Reap China has unveiled a set of new economic incentive measures for Taiwan, offering to resume some ties with the island. The announcement comes after a visit by the head of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), to Beijing. Taiwan has been a de-facto self-governing territory since 1949, when Chinese nationalist…
Francis Tuschek, Tokyo China’s President Xi Jinping met with the head of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), on Friday and stressed that no global changes would stop “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” including its people across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan de facto became a self-governed territory after Chinese nationalist forces lost…
Jake Saunders, Kuala Lumpur Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Friday proposed a nearly $40 billion military buildup amid tensions with Beijing. This came just days after the head of the self-governing island’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), traveled to the mainland seeking rapprochement in the first such visit in a decade. Taiwan became a…
Richard Saunders, Phnom Penh The leader of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), is traveling to mainland China, marking the first such visit since 2016. Known as a vocal opponent of the island’s possible independence, Cheng Li-wun was invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping for what she has described as a peace-building mission. Taiwan…