Jake Saunders, Zamboanga Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day visit that opened with an unusually grand reception from US President Donald Trump, underscoring both sides’ desire to stabilise relations even as core differences—particularly over Taiwan—remain unresolved. Trump personally greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, upon their arrival at…
Frank Williams, Honiara HONIARA — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has announced that a formal review of the country’s 2022 security agreement with China is now underway, stressing the need for greater parliamentary oversight of international treaties. Wale revealed that he was only allowed to examine the full text of the agreement one day…
Frank Williams, Vientiane-Visiting US Representative Young Kim on Friday pressed Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to quickly approve funding for the purchase of domestically produced drones, saying the island must strengthen its defenses against security threats from China. The Cabinet has put forward a draft law that would authorize up to NT$210 billion (US$6.5 billion) for the…
Frank Williams, Honiara China has formally protested to New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry over remarks by Foreign Minister Winston Peters directed at a Chinese-born Green Party MP during a heated parliamentary debate. The Chinese Embassy in Wellington announced the protest on Thursday, one day after the exchange, citing “negative China-related remarks.” China’s ambassador to New Zealand,…
Richard Sanders, Phnom Penh President William Lai said yesterday that China should stop military expansion in the South China Sea, East China Sea and Taiwan Strait, and abandon any threat of force against Taiwan. Speaking at a reception for foreign correspondents in Taipei, Lai said Taiwan remains willing to engage with China on the basis…
Clockwise from top left: Duncan Webb, Laura McClure, Maureen Pugh and David Wilson Dave Chamberlain, Honiara China has imposed a one-year entry ban on four New Zealand MPs after they travelled to Taiwan, a decision one of the lawmakers says is meant to intimidate elected representatives. The MPs – Maureen Pugh, Duncan Webb, Laura McClure,…
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…