Tag: Taiwan

‘Don’t worry’ – pro-Trump Taiwan seeks to reassure over Biden

TAIPEI – Taiwan’s top China policy maker on Monday sought to reassure nervous lawmakers that Democrat Joe Biden will continue U.S. support for the Chinese-claimed island, which has benefited from strong backing by the outgoing administration of Donald Trump. Tensions over democratic Taiwan have escalated dramatically since Republican […]

Taiwan scrambles jets as 18 Chinese planes buzz island

TAIPEI/BEIJING – Taiwan scrambled fighter jets on Friday as 18 Chinese aircraft buzzed the island, including crossing the sensitive mid-line of the Taiwan Strait, in an escalation of tensions as a senior U.S. official held talks in Taipei. China had earlier announced the start of combat drills near […]

Taiwan president rejects Beijing rule; China says ‘reunification’ inevitable

TAIPEI – Taiwan cannot accept becoming part of China under its “one country, two systems” offer of autonomy , President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday, strongly rejecting China’s sovereignty claims and likely setting the stage for an ever worsening of ties. China responded that “reunification” was inevitable and […]

Why is Taiwan excluded from the WHO?

The coronavirus pandemic has shone a spotlight on Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Organization and ignited a diplomatic row between China and some Western powers. Led by the United States, a growing number of countries are calling for Taiwan to either be allowed into the WHO, or […]

Taiwan, WHO spar again over coronavirus information sharing

TAIPEI – Tension flared again on Saturday as Taiwan accused the World Health Organization (WHO) of playing word games in a dispute over details it sought in an email querying if the new coronavirus could be transmitted between people. Taiwan is not a WHO member, because of objections […]

U.S. pursues sale of over $2 billion in weapons to Taiwan, sources say, angering China

WASHINGTON – The United States is pursuing the sale of more than $2 billion worth of tanks and weapons to Taiwan, four people familiar with the negotiations said, sparking anger from Beijing which is already involved in an escalating trade war with Washington. An informal notification of the […]

Taiwan approves same-sex marriage in first for Asia

Taiwan’s parliament legalised same-sex marriage on Friday in a landmark first for Asia as the government survived a last-minute attempt by conservatives to pass watered-down legislation. Lawmakers comfortably passed a bill allowing same-sex couples to form “exclusive permanent unions” and another clause that would let them apply for […]

Taiwan investigates train crash that killed 18

Taiwan’s president pushed for a swift investigation Monday after an express train derailed on a coastal tourist route, killing 18 people as it sent sleeping passengers flying from their seats. The crash on the popular east coast line injured another 187 people Sunday and left the Puyuma Express […]

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