by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Thursday that Chinese warplanes and warships had carried out the first “combat patrol” around the island of the New Year, after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te again expressed willingness to talk to Beijing. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, sends its military…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Is America Testing China’s ‘Red Lines’ on Taiwan? In recent years, tensions between the United States and China have escalated significantly, particularly regarding Taiwan. As one of the most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints in the region, Taiwan’s status is a matter of both national pride and strategic interest for China. Meanwhile,…
Taiwan is in the process of developing a hypersonic missile derived from the Ching Tien (擎天) supersonic cruise missile, with a Czech-manufactured truck tentatively chosen as its launch vehicle, according to a source reported yesterday. The Ching Tien, previously known as Yun Feng (雲峰, “Cloud Peak”), is a domestically designed missile with a range of…
In an era where global connectivity hinges on air travel, Taiwan’s participation in international aviation security and management organizations is not just beneficial; it is essential for the safety and efficiency of the global aviation industry. Despite ongoing geopolitical challenges, Taiwan has demonstrated its capability and commitment to aviation safety, making a compelling case for…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In the face of increasing tensions with China, Taiwan is not only bolstering its military defenses but also making comprehensive preparations across various sectors to ensure national resilience. The island’s strategy highlights a multi-pronged approach encompassing economic, diplomatic, technological, and societal dimensions to mitigate the impact of a potential invasion…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor With less than a month before United States President Joe Biden leaves the White House, his administration announced another round of military aid and arms sales to China’s Taiwan region over the weekend, totaling more than $800 million. It was the 19th round of such arms sales and assistance to…
Richard Sanders, Staff Writer The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology received an order from the navy for a domestically developed exploding drone, the state-owned defense technology research group said yesterday. The institute is conducting the final certification tests before delivering Loitering Munition 1 to the navy, institute aeronautics systems research division director Yeh Chia-fan…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor China’s Defense Ministry is firmly opposed to and strongly condemned the latest United States military aid and arms sales to China’s Taiwan region, a spokesman said on Monday. The ministry spokesman Wu Qian made the remarks in response to the recent approval by the US government to provide approximately $571.3…
Taiwan has received 38 Abrams tanks from the US after a five-year wait, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Supply-chain problems “have proven more effective in keeping advanced American weaponry out of Taiwanese hands” than Beijing’s warnings have, the newspaper noted. China views the self-governing island as a part of its territory. The US…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a decisive step amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, President Joe Biden has approved a substantial package of $571 million in defense support for Taiwan. This decision underscores the United States’ commitment to bolstering Taiwan’s defenses as it faces increasing military pressure from China. The relationship between…