Richard Sanders Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims has uncovered a massive gap of nearly $5 trillion in US federal spending that it cannot account for. DOGE has claimed that Treasury records made some payments untraceable. Since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on January 20, DOGE has been pressing ahead with budget…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor China Accuses US of ‘Backpedalling’ on Taiwan Independence Stance Beijing, China – Tensions between China and the United States have flared again, this time over what Beijing perceives as a shift in Washington’s stance on Taiwan’s independence. China’s Foreign Ministry has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the US of…
Richard Sanders A Canadian naval frigate, HMCS Ottawa, sailed through the Taiwan Strait yesterday, marking the first such passage this year and the sixth since Canada unveiled its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the move, praising Canada’s commitment to freedom of navigation and maintaining peace and openness in the Strait….
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Explainer: What is ‘Taiwan independence’ and is Taiwan already independent? The issue of Taiwan’s independence has been a contentious and complex topic for decades, with far-reaching implications for the island, China, and the global community. At its core, the question of Taiwan’s independence revolves around the island’s political status and…
美國國務院從台灣概況說明書中刪除「不支持獨立」聲明 Richard Sanders, Taichung Washington D.C. – The United States Department of State has updated its fact sheet on U.S.-Taiwan relations, removing a key phrase stating that the U.S. “does not support Taiwan independence.” The change, made public on Thursday, has been welcomed by Taiwanese officials as a sign of strengthened support. The previous version…
by Martib Haffner Associate Editor Taipei, Taiwan – In a move aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty and national security, Taiwan’s government is intensifying its crackdown on businesses and individuals assisting Taiwanese citizens in obtaining Chinese identity cards. The measures, recently announced and implemented, reflect growing concerns over potential risks associated with dual citizenship and Beijing’s…
by Richard Sanders in Tainan, Taiwan In recent weeks, the Trump administration has rolled out a flurry of initiatives and controversies on the international stage, including imposing tariffs, slashing international aid budgets, and engaging in discussions with Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine conflict. However, the most significant long-term challenge for the U.S. remains its relationship…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s stock market fell Friday, driven by a drop in TSMC shares after US President Donald Trump accused Taiwan of taking the semiconductor industry from the US. The Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index or TAIEX closed down 246.8 points at 23,152.61. Turnover totaled NT$398.3 billion…
Richard Sanders in Kaoshiung, Taiwan The Ivatan language, a member of the Austronesian language family, boasts a rich and complex history that traces its origins back to southern Taiwan. This fascinating language is not just a means of communication for the people of the Batanes archipelago in the Philippines; it is also a cultural treasure…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor aiwan President Lai Ching-te has pledged to boost military spending, a move aimed at showing U.S. President Donald Trump that the self-ruled island is committed to defending itself from China. Lai said at a news briefing in Taipei on Friday that Taiwan would boost expenditure to 3% of GDP, though…