Jake Sanders, Kaohsiung Kaohsiung, Taiwan — Taiwan’s pioneering indigenous submarine, the Hai Kun (also known as the “Narwhal”), has entered its sea trial phase following the successful completion of harbor acceptance testing, according to military sources. The vessel embarked on its initial open-water assessments yesterday, marking a significant milestone in Taiwan’s naval development efforts. At…
Richard Sanders In response to escalating Chinese influence operations, Taiwanese legislators are pushing new laws to expand penalties and criminal scope against individuals and organizations involved in China’s “United Front” efforts. This initiative comes amid growing concerns over China’s increased tactics to sway Taiwanese politics and society. President William Lai, on March 13, urged the…
Dave Chamberlain Taiwan is considering a significant military investment, with a proposed budget of up to NT$500 billion (approximately US$16.5 billion) dedicated to acquiring advanced defense equipment from the United States. This potential allocation underscores Taiwan’s strategic effort to bolster its defense capabilities amid increasing regional tensions. A high-ranking government official, speaking anonymously, revealed that…
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…
Taiwan’s streets pulse with the chaotic energy of a free society – debates rage in parliament, newspapers print unvarnished truths, and citizens elect leaders without fear of disappearance. Meanwhile, in Brussels, bureaucrats cling to a diplomatic relic crafted half a century ago, based on a flawed interpretation of a UN Resolution (2758), bowing to Beijing’s…
Richard Sanders A member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Ho Jen-chieh, was taken into custody yesterday under suspicion of espionage for China during his time as an aide to former foreign minister Joseph Wu. The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office revealed that Ho was linked to the investigation concerning alleged spying activities involving former Presidential…
The greatest danger of China’s manoeuvres around Taiwan isn’t invasion – it’s the creeping apathy they’re cultivating in all of us. China’s relentless military exercises around Taiwan are the perfect example of what we might call the ‘politics of numbing.’ These drills, like the recent ‘Strait Thunder-2025A,’ are a little part sabre-rattling as part of…
Lithuania, once Taiwan’s loudest cheerleader in Europe, is now sending a somewhat chilling message: promises alone won’t sustain alliances. The new Lithuanian government, led by Gintautas Paluckas, is expressing openly frustration with Taiwan’s perceived lack of follow-through on bold economic commitments. High expectations for semiconductor investments, technology transfers, and trade breakthroughs have fizzled into what…
Richard Sanders The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has initiated yet another military exercise near Taiwan, aimed at discouraging “separatism,” as announced by the Defense Ministry on Tuesday. According to Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, the drill involves various branches including the army, navy, air force, and rocket forces. It…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a significant escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait, China has commenced extensive military exercises in proximity to Taiwan, amplifying concerns over regional stability and security. The drills, which include air and naval maneuvers, have been framed by Beijing as a necessary response to perceived provocations from Taiwan and…