Taiwan

The US announces provocative arms sale to Taiwan

By Peter Symonds, 27 August 2019

The $8 billion sale of 66 F-16V fighter jets is the first such deal since the administration of President George H.W. Bush approved the sale of 150 fighter jets to Taiwan in 1992.

Washington approves large arms package to Taiwan

By Ben McGrath, 10 July 2019

The deal with Taiwan is part of a stepped-up campaign by Washington to arm allies in the region as part of its preparation for war against China.

Strike by Taiwanese flight attendants points to growing workers’ discontent in global airline industry

By Ben McGrath, 26 June 2019

Airline companies around the world are seeking to extract ever-greater profits by slashing wages and increasing working hours.

US names Taiwan a “country,” stoking tensions with China

By Robert Campion, 21 June 2019

Washington deepens ties with Taipei in preparation for war against mainland China.

Call to free Julian Assange raised in Taiwan on Labor Day

By a correspondent, 3 May 2019

The Free Assange Group explained to Taiwan workers that WikiLeaks served as a deterrent to war and was a tool for peace.

Confrontation between Chinese and Taiwanese fighter jets

By Peter Symonds, 3 April 2019

The incident highlights the dangers of a war in Asia fueled by the Trump administration, which has deliberately inflamed the region’s volatile flashpoints.

US stages another provocation in the Taiwan Strait

By Ben McGrath, 26 March 2019

The move on Sunday is part of increased US military relations with Taiwan, risking a clash with China.

US-China tensions to rise over Taiwan

By Peter Symonds, 4 January 2019

New US legislation calls for regular arms sales to Taiwan and urges top US officials to engage in exchanges with their Taiwanese counterparts.

Taiwan elections reveal widespread hostility to the ruling DPP

By Robert Campion, 30 November 2018

The results reflect discontent over deteriorating living standards and fears about the rising tensions between the US and China.

Another US provocation against China: Two warships sail through Taiwan Strait

By Peter Symonds, 23 October 2018

The naval operation follows an inflammatory speech by US Vice-president Mike Pence earlier this month criticising China on all fronts.

US sells arms to Taiwan, confronts China

By Peter Symonds, 27 September 2018

The $330 million arms sale comes as the Trump administration is intensifying the US confrontation with China on all fronts—diplomatic, economic and military.

US promotes Taiwanese submarine program, stoking further tensions with China

By Robert Campion, 30 July 2018

The Trump administration, backed by the Democrats and Republicans, is ramping up pressure on China through closer US involvement with Taiwan’s military.

US provocatively sends two warships through Taiwan Strait

By Peter Symonds, 10 July 2018

The naval transit coincided with the escalating trade war between the US and China, marked by the implementation of the Trump administration’s 25 percent tariff on $34 billion worth of Chinese imports.

Tensions deepen between Beijing and Taipei

By Robert Campion, 3 July 2018

The growing conflict over Taiwan is the result of a US campaign to step up direct economic and military pressure on Beijing.

Trump signs Taiwan Travel Act in new provocation against China

By Peter Symonds, 19 March 2018

The legislation upends decades of diplomatic protocol in which the US maintained only low-level contact with Taiwan.

Earthquake hits Taiwan, killing eight people and injuring hundreds

By Eric Ludlow, 8 February 2018

Scores of people remain trapped in damaged buildings in Hualien, not far from the earthquake’s epicentre.

US provocatively approves major arms sale to Taiwan

By Peter Symonds, 1 July 2017

Together with US sanctions on Chinese entities, the arms deal signals a more aggressive stance toward Beijing.

Former US ambassador advocates American military bases on Taiwan

By Peter Symonds, 19 January 2017

Bolton is among those militarist layers who regard conflict with China as inevitable.

Trump again threatens to tear up One China policy

By Peter Symonds, 16 January 2017

China rejected Trump’s remarks declaring that the “One China” principle was the political foundation of China-US relations and was “non-negotiable.”

Taiwanese president meets senior Republicans, fuelling US-China tensions

By Peter Symonds, 12 January 2017

To underline Beijing’s concerns about closer US ties with Taiwan, the Chinese navy sailed its aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, through the Taiwan Strait.

China reproaches Trump over Taiwan stance

By Peter Symonds, 13 December 2016

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman warned that US-China cooperation was “out of the question” if Trump interfered with the One China policy.

Trump threatens to overturn One China policy

By Peter Symonds, 12 December 2016

By placing a question mark over US-China relations, Trump is recklessly compounding rising uncertainty in Asia and around the world, as well as the threat of war.

China warns Trump over Taiwan phone call

By Peter Symonds, 7 December 2016

The People’s Daily condemned the phone call as “despicable” and accused Trump of violating the One China policy—the foundation of US-China relations.

Trump’s phone call with Taiwan: A provocation against China

By Peter Symonds, 6 December 2016

Trump’s policy in the Asia-Pacific of “peace through strength” is a strategy not of peace, but of war.

Trump’s talk with Taiwanese president heightens US tensions with China

By Peter Symonds, 5 December 2016

The phone conversation—the first between US and Taiwanese leaders since 1979—undermines decades of protocols based on Washington’s acceptance of the “One China” policy.

Taiwanese airline cabin crews strike

By Ben McGrath, 27 June 2016

The walk-out highlights the growing anger more broadly throughout the Taiwanese working class.

Earthquake in Taiwan leaves over 100 killed and missing

By Ben McGrath, 10 February 2016

The lack of earthquake safety measures contributed to the collapse of an apartment complex and the subsequent deaths.

Opposition candidate wins Taiwan’s presidential election

By Peter Symonds, 18 January 2016

While Tsai is unlikely to move towards independence from China, her election will inevitably heighten tensions with Beijing.

US administration approves $1.8 billion arms sale to Taiwan

By Peter Symonds, 17 December 2015

The sale—the first in more than four years—provoked an angry reaction from China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade Chinese province.

Chinese and Taiwanese presidents meet for the first time

By Ben McGrath, 11 November 2015

The meeting took place amid rising tensions produced by Washington’s aggressive “pivot to Asia” against Beijing.

China’s Xi meets head of Taiwan’s Kuomintang

By Ben McGrath, 8 May 2015

Xi Jinping and Eric Chu met to discuss collaboration as Taiwan seeks to join international trade agreements and China’s AIIB.

Taiwanese local elections reveal widespread disillusionment with government

By Ben McGrath, 10 December 2014

The KMT government suffered one of its worst defeats in recent elections, driven by declining social conditions.

Deadly gas explosion in Taiwanese city kills dozens

By Ben McGrath, 6 August 2014

Powerful blasts left deep craters throughout the city of Kaohsiung, destroying roads and homes and leaving thousands without electricity, water, or gas.