Exploring Taiwan’s tense relationship with China

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Taiwan’s relationship with China has long been a contentious and complex issue, rooted in a historical backdrop that spans over a century. As tensions escalate and international interests converge, the situation continues to evolve, impacting regional and global dynamics. This article delves into the intricacies of Taiwan’s relationship with China,…

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Rubio Takes a Stand Against Coercive Actions in Asia on First Day as Secretary of State

Jake Sanders On his inaugural day as Secretary of State, Marco Rubio issued a warning alongside Japan, India, and Australia against coercive actions in Asia, seemingly directed at China over its maritime activities. Rubio met with his counterparts from the Quad in Washington, just after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, where he pledged to counter China’s…

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Taiwan’s ex-presidential candidate charged with corruption

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a significant turn of events in Taiwan’s political landscape, former presidential candidate Ko Wen-je has been formally charged with corruption, casting a shadow over the upcoming elections and raising questions about the integrity of the nation’s political systems. The decision was announced by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, following…

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EU state’s PM warns of new ‘Maidan’

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused the political opposition of preparing a ‘Maidan’ in the country, referring to the violent Western-backed coup in Kiev in 2014 that led to the overthrow of democratically-elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich. Speaking at a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime minister Viktor Orban in Bratislava on Tuesday, Fico based…

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Trump planning early China trip – WSJ

Richard Sanders US President-elect Donald Trump wants to visit China in his first 100 days in office to improve relations with Xi Jinping, as the prospect of a new trade war looms, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday citing sources. The trip would aim to deepen ties with the Chinese leader in the face…

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Saudi Arabia issues BRICs membership update

Francis Tuschek Saudi Arabia is still evaluating potential membership of BRICS, the Gulf nation’s minister of economy and planning, Faisal Al-Ibrahim, told Bloomberg in an interview on Monday. The economic bloc was established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining two years later. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab…

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Taiwan detects 9 Chinese aircraft, 6 vessels around its territory

by Martin Haffner Associate Editot In a significant development reflecting the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China, Taiwan’s defense ministry has reported the detection of nine Chinese aircraft and six vessels operating in close proximity to its territorial waters. This incident underscores the increasing military activity in the region and highlights Taiwan’s vigilance in safeguarding…

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US approves $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan including advanced missile defense system

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a significant move that underscores the United States’ commitment to Taiwan’s defense amidst rising regional tensions, the Biden administration has approved an arms sale valued at approximately $2 billion. This package includes advanced missile defense systems and other military equipment aimed at bolstering Taiwan’s defense capabilities against potential threats…

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Thik Tok goes dark in the US

Francis Tuschek TikTok has announced a blackout of the service for some 170 million US users of the viral social media app, days after the Supreme Court issued a ruling that could pave the way for a national ban of the platform. On Friday, the federal judiciary ruled that TikTok needs to divest from its Chinese…

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Taiwan’s civil defense efforts still inadequate

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has made great strides in civil defense under President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), but more must be done to ensure national resilience as the threat of a Chinese attack grows. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of civilian support during a conflict. Civilians can…

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