Nils Brander Taiwan has strongly condemned Somalia’s decision to ban travelers with Taiwanese passports from entering or transiting through the East African nation. The restriction, which took effect on Wednesday, follows an order issued last week by Somali aviation authorities, according to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry. The Somali authorities have yet to comment publicly on the…
Chen Chien-jen, an envoy of former Vice President and President William Lai, is seen alongside former US President Joe Biden at Pope Francis’ funeral in St. Peter’s Square yesterday. Photo provided by the Embassy of the Republic of China to the Vatican. Richard Sanders In a significant diplomatic gesture, former Vice President Chen Chien-jen served…
By: Brian Iselin, Associate Editor Taiwan’s dithering in Lithuania is a diplomatic failure of significance — a self-inflicted wound that threatens to haemorrhage its credibility among the few European allies bold enough to defy Beijing. When Lithuania’s last administration allowed Taiwan to open its representative office in Vilnius in 2021, branded with the incendiary label…
Richard Sanders Washington has banned its diplomatic personnel in China, as well as their family members and contractors with security clearances, from engaging into any sort of “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese citizens, AP reported on Thursday, citing four people with direct knowledge of the matter. The policy was reportedly enacted by departing US Ambassador Nicholas…
Richard Sanders A former director of mainland affairs for the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is set to be investigated by the Mainland Affairs Council for allegedly claiming to represent Taiwanese interests during a symposium in China earlier this month. This event marked the 20th anniversary of China’s “Anti-Secession” Law, where he stated that the law…
Richard Sanders Sadly,Japan has formally requested that Taiwan clarify that its pavilion at the upcoming World Exposition in Osaka will be operated by a private company, according to sources familiar with Japan-Taiwan relations reported on Sunday. The request from Japan’s Foreign Ministry follows concerns that statements from the Taiwanese government implied the pavilion would be…
Francis Tuschek During a recent visit to Taipei, Czech Senator Pavel Fischer emphasized the importance of smaller nations recognizing their roles amidst escalating global tensions. Speaking at the Czech Hub in Taiwan, a collaboration involving the European Values Center for Security Policy and the Czech-Taiwanese Business Chamber, Fischer highlighted the need for Taiwan to bolster…
Francis Tuschek The Director of the American Institute in Taiwan announced that the US plans to enhance investment and trade ties, aiming for mutual prosperity. In a recent interview, American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene emphasized that the US remains committed to Taiwan, ensuring its safety, strength, and prosperity. “The US has consistently supported…
Richard Sanders In recent discussions, Western analysts have frequently characterized Russia as China’s “junior partner” or even a “vassal state.” This narrative has become a dominant theme in conversations surrounding the evolving relationship between the two nations. Over the past few decades, ties between Russia and China have strengthened significantly, particularly following the onset of…
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters Richard Sanders On Sunday, New Zealand’s foreign minister expressed “significant concern” regarding the Cook Islands’ imminent cooperation agreement with China. Prime Minister Mark Brown is scheduled to visit Beijing next week, where he is expected to sign a “joint action plan” aimed at establishing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with…