4 people questioned so far over Lebanon exploding pagers, say Taiwan prosecutors
Taiwan-based Gold Apollo said last week it did not manufacture the devices used in the attack. Taiwan's government also said the pagers were not made in Taiwan. Key Points
India TodayTaiwan detects 18 Chinese aircraft, 4 vessels near island
Latest incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of China's military manoeuvres in Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Saturday confirmed... Key Points
The Tribune India7.7-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan: Japan, Philippines issue tsunami warnings; buildings collapse | Latest updates
Taiwan Earthquake today: USGS said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4, while Japan's Meteorological Agency put the magnitude at 7.7. | World News Key Points
Hindustan Times7.5 magnitude earthquake rocks buildings in Taiwan, over 9-feet tsunami warning issued in Japan
Taiwan's earthquake monitoring agency gave the magnitude as 7.2 while the US Geological Survey put it at 7.5. Television showed buildings in Taiwan's eastern city of Hualien shaken off their foundations. Key Points
Business Today‘No cost too high for China’ — how Beijing is seeking to undermine Taiwanese diplomacy
In the past decade, 10 countries have shifted their diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. The cost? Almost $2 bn. The loss of Taipei's diplomatic reach also damages the US. Key Points
ThePrint
Taiwan apologises for Minister's remarks on Indian migrant workers
Taiwan's Labour Minister, Hsu Ming-chun, mentioned that Taiwan is considering recruiting migrant workers from India’s northeast region where people “have similar skin colour and diets like us". Hsu mentioned that under the India-Taiwan agreement, Taiwan has the flexibility to choose the number and region of origin of migrant workers from India. Key Points
India TodayTaiwan Minister stirs row over racist remark on recruitment from India
Taiwan sparked controversy by stating it will recruit workers from Christian areas in India's northeast. Taiwan's foreign ministry apologized, ensuring fair treatment. Recruiting countries never restrict based on looks, dietary habits, or religion. India and Taiwan signed a migration and mobility agreement. Key Points
Economic TimesTaiwan locks horns with China, says ‘not puppets, focus on your economic slump’
Taiwan criticizes China's response to an interview with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, asserting independence. China condemns India for allowing Taiwan to promote 'Taiwan independence'. Taiwan emphasizes it is not part of PRC and defends democracy and press freedom. Key Points
mintIndia and Taiwan ink key agreement on labour cooperation
Taipei announced Friday it had signed MoU with New Delhi to allow Indian workers to be employed in Taiwan. This comes as India-China ties remain strained over the 2020 Galwan clashes. Key Points
ThePrintTaiwan reports more Chinese balloons over Taiwan Strait
Taiwan detects eight Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait, five entering Taiwan airspace. Tensions rise as Taiwan accuses China of aviation safety threat and psychological warfare. China dismisses complaints, citing meteorological purposes. Amid Lunar New Year holiday, both sides remain silent. Chinese warplanes continue Taiwan Strait operations. Taiwan elects new president, offers talks with China. Global concerns over China's use of balloons for spying after US incident last year. Key Points
Economic Times
US decries Nauru’s ditching of Taiwan, China hits back
The US official who heads the body that handles unofficial ties with Taiwan on Tuesday decried Nauru’s “unfortunate” decision to break ties... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaChina fumes as US greets Taiwan president-elect
The Chinese foreign ministry on Sunday described a statement from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, which congratulated Taiwan’s president-elect... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaJoe Biden refutes to stand with Taiwan’s independence
As tensions with China persist, the U.S. announces an unofficial delegation to congratulate Lai, navigating a delicate diplomatic dance. Key Points
Hindustan TimesBiden: US does not support Taiwan independence
By Steve Holland, Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan, after Taiwanese Key Points
ThePrintTaiwan's voters rebuff China and give ruling party third presidential term
Lai Ching-te wins with 40% of the vote, but DPP loses Parliament majority. Taiwanese voters swept the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential... Key Points
The Tribune India
In a setback to China, Taiwan ruling party's Lai Ching-te wins presidential election
Ko has won a passionate support base, especially among young voters, for focussing on bread and butter issues such as the high cost of housing. He also wants to re-engage China but insists that cannot come at the expense of protecting Taiwan's democracy and way of life. The parliamentary elections are equally important, especially if no party wins a majority, potentially hindering the new president's ability to pass legislation and spending, especially for defence. Key Points
Economic TimesChina's Weibo blocks trending hashtag on ‘Taiwan election’ amid voting
China's Weibo social media platform blocked a hashtag on the Taiwan presidential election after it became a top-trending topic. Voting began on Saturday, with millions of Taiwanese eligible to cast their ballots. Key Points
mintTaiwan votes to choose next president weighing China threat, island's stability
Apart from China tensions, the Taiwan election largely hinges on domestic issues, particularly an economy that was estimated to have grown just 1.4% last year. | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesWhat's at stake in Taiwan's elections? China says it could be a choice between peace and war
Taiwan's pivotal election unfolds amid warnings from China of peace or war consequences. Incumbent DPP's Lai Ching-te faces KMT's Hou Yu-ih in a close race, with third candidate Ko Wen-je advocating a middle road. The China factor looms large, with Beijing opposing DPP's perceived separatist leanings. U.S. maintains a strategic ambiguity, supplying Taiwan with defense support. Taiwan's fate impacts U.S.-China relations significantly, as Beijing considers it a core interest. Tensions persist as global economic and security implications surround the Taiwan Strait. Key Points
Economic TimesUS to send unofficial delegation to Taiwan amid China tension
The Biden administration will send an unofficial delegation comprised of former senior officials to Taiwan shortly after the self-governed island holds an... Key Points
The Tribune India
Taiwan gears up for historic presidential elections amid heightened US-China tensions
Taiwan is set to hold elections on 13 January, with voters choosing their next president, vice president, and legislative representatives. The election is significant due to Taiwan's disputed political status and its position between the United States and China. Key Points
mintChina sanctions 5 US defence companies in response to US sanctions and arms sales to Taiwan
Chinese Foreign Ministry did not specify which arms deal or which U.S. sanctions China was responding to, though spokesperson Wang Wenbin had warned three weeks ago that China would take countermeasures following the U.S. government's approval of a $300 million military package for Taiwan in December. Key Points
Economic TimesTaiwan slams Chinese balloons as safety threat, psychological warfare
Days before Taiwan's elections, its defense ministry accuses China of using balloons to threaten aviation safety and wage psychological warfare. Taiwan is on high alert for Chinese interference, citing military and economic pressure. China's actions, deploying balloons near Taiwan, are seen as part of a grey zone tactic, with Taiwan condemning the threat to international aviation. As tensions rise, the U.S. remains concerned, supporting Taiwan's democratic process while China dismisses allegations of interference as attempts to boost a disliked party. Key Points
Economic TimesTaiwan says Chinese balloons threaten aviation safety
Taiwan's defense ministry accused China of endangering aviation safety by sending balloons near or over the island, seen as psychological warfare ahead of crucial elections. China's use of balloons for surveillance previously drew concern when the US shot down a Chinese balloon in February. Taiwan, alert to Chinese influence, sees this as military pressure. The defense ministry condemned China's actions, labeling the balloons a threat to international aviation safety and part of China's grey zone tactics. Efforts to reach China's authorities for comment were unsuccessful. Key Points
Economic TimesChinese President Xi says 'reunification' with Taiwan is inevitable
China's President Xi Jinping has emphasized the inevitable reunification of Taiwan with China, announcing that the two countries are members of one and the same family and hoped for joint prosperity. The Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections are happening at a time of fraught relations between Beijing and Taipei, with China ramping up military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over Taiwan. Key Points
Economic Times
Beijing will reunify Taiwan with mainland China: Xi Jinping warns Biden
Chinese President Xi Jinping cautioned US President Joe Biden about Taiwan's reunification plans during their San Francisco summit. Xi stressed Taiwan's peaceful reunification, dismissing speculated timelines by US military leaders. Chinese officials requested US support for peaceful reunification and rejection of Taiwanese independence, a demand the White House refused. This undisclosed dialogue aimed to ease tensions but highlighted Xi's stance amid escalating Chinese-Taiwanese tensions ahead of Taiwan's crucial elections. Key Points
Economic TimesUS officials to visit Taiwan to explain chip curbs, minister says
U.S. officials plan to visit Taiwan to explain to companies details of new curbs, primarily aimed at China, on advanced chip exports, the island's economy minister said on Monday. Key Points
ReutersAPEC over, Taiwan reports renewed Chinese military activity
China claims democratically-governed Taiwan as its territory. Taiwan reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island on Sunday, with nine aircrafts crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait and warships carrying out ‘combat readiness patrols’. Key Points
The Tribune IndiaChina keeps up military pressure on Taiwan, sending 43 planes and 7 ships near self-governing island
Such Chinese manoeuvers have become frequent and aggressive since then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. Taiwan said on Wednesday that China sent 43 military aircraft and seven ships near the self-ruled island, the latest sign that Beijing plans no let-up in its campaign of harassment, threats and intimidation. Key Points
The Tribune IndiaTSMC drops northern Taiwan site for advanced chip factory after protests
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (2330.TW) said it would not build a advanced chip factory in a rural part of northern Taiwan after local residents protested that they did not want to move to accommodate an expansion of an industrial park. The company said it would work with the government-run Science Park Administration "to evaluate land in Taiwan suitable for building semiconductor fabs". It did not mention potential alternative sites. Key Points
Reuters
Fearing China, South Korea targets contractors on Taiwan navy submarines
South Korean authorities charged marine technology firm SI Innotec for violating trade laws related to its work on Taiwan's submarine program, citing the risk of Chinese economic retaliation. The police document and interviews with insiders reveal concerns about a potential repeat of Beijing's 2016 sanctions imposed on South Korea for installing the THAAD anti-missile system. SI Innotec denies wrongdoing and has appealed the charges. Key Points
Economic TimesTaiwan urges progress on EU investment deal as bloc courts chip firms
A Taiwanese minister on Thursday urged the European Union to make "effective" progress on talks on a long-stalled investment deal, as the bloc courts closer links to major chipmakers based on the tech powerhouse island, notably TSMC (2330.TW). Key Points
ReutersTaiwan probes four firms accused of helping China's Huawei
Taiwan's government has opened an investigation into four companies named in a media report as conducting business with firms linked to U.S.-sanctioned Huawei (HWT.UL) in China, and is considering tighter rules on key technologies. Key Points
Reuters