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Lawrence Chung
Taipei
Lawrence Chung covers major news in Taiwan, ranging from presidential and parliament elections to killer earthquakes and typhoons. Most of his reports focus on Taiwan’s relations with China, specifically on the impact and possible developments of cross-strait relations under the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party and mainland-friendly Kuomintang governments. Before starting work at the South China Morning Post in 2006, he wrote for Reuters and AFP for more than 12 years.
Lawrence Chung covers major news in Taiwan, ranging from presidential and parliament elections to killer earthquakes and typhoons. Most of his reports focus on Taiwan’s relations with China, specifically on the impact and possible developments of cross-strait relations under the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party and mainland-friendly Kuomintang governments. Before starting work at the South China Morning Post in 2006, he wrote for Reuters and AFP for more than 12 years.
The pricey arms packages are already facing legislative pushback. Now critics say they may be addressing the wrong threat.
Analysts cite pressure from Washington ahead of Donald Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi Jinping, where Taiwan is likely to be a focal point.
Defence minister appeals to lawmakers to back US$40 billion spending plan before the arms deals with the US expire next month.
Taipei scrambles to ensure trade exemptions remain intact, but opposition warns the ruling ‘completely overturned’ tariff deal.
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US leader’s talk of consulting Xi Jinping on arms sales could hand Taiwan’s opposition a ‘lifeline’ to reshape spending bill, experts say.
Island’s leader has appealed to opposition parties to stop blocking a US$40 billion spending plan, citing the need to ‘safeguard security’.
Taiwan’s opposition leader warns against ‘being reduced to a pawn in strategic competition’, urges efforts to prevent conflict in strait.
Prototype under Indigenous Defence Submarine programme is seen as central to boosting asymmetric naval capabilities to counter Beijing.
Challenges in forging conscripts into fighting force range from inadequate training facilities to eroding public will to defend the island.
William Lai says the island’s ties with Washington remain rock solid but others are seeing a clear shift.
Landmark trip draws fierce criticism from Taiwan’s ruling party and reignites debate about the island’s cross-strait strategy.
Document splits opinion, with some experts fearing that the island could become a bargaining chip between Washington and Beijing.
Opposition party’s proposal would drop plans for ‘T-Dome’ air defence system and cut budget ceiling to US$12.7 billion.
Taipei is ramping up coordination between its US-made weapons systems and locally developed missile capabilities.
Lawmakers from ruling DPP have dismissed process as political theatre designed to generate publicity ahead of election season.
Debate centres on Taiwan’s financial commitment to the US – whether US$250 billion or US$500 billion – and if it will harm the economy.
Taiwan’s defence minister delivers classified briefing on record US$39.5 billion budget in a bid to break opposition blockade.
Opposition lawmakers fear the island’s international space will shrink still further without Washington’s voice in dozens of global bodies.
Deal risks gutting Taiwan’s semiconductor sector, opposition parties warn, as Beijing dubs it a plot to drain lifeblood of island’s industry.
Island’s defence ministry says Ukraine war underscores urgency of securing sustained ammunition supply in event of armed conflict.
Lawmakers propose minimum sentences and tighter rules for political candidates, while critics warn the changes amount to more social control.
Opposition politicians frame incident as readiness problem created by high operational tempo, ageing airframes and slow equipment delivery.
In a New York Times interview, the US president says he does not believe the island would be attacked during his term.
Critics warn that the proposed change to a law concerning mainland China risks Beijing’s anger by moving towards de jure independence.
Taipei says its military stands ready, but security experts warn about Beijing’s ability to quickly pivot from drills to actual combat.
Cheng Li-wun is concerned about timing of visit as election season looms, while critics say her plan downplays security threat to Taiwan.
The drills were on a larger scale than previous ones and featured the use of rocket systems that could give mainland Chinese forces an edge.
William Lai Ching-te outlines ‘layered defence’ fusion of satellite, radar and drone data to create backbone for security shield.
Procedural blockade for eight-year military spending package has also stalled 2026 general budget review, piling up pressure on ruling DPP.
