India’s giant market, inexpensive skilled workforce and generous tax breaks aren’t the only things drawing investment from Taiwanese firms.

As Beijing tightens its grip on the city, the self-ruled island offers a similar culture and cheaper labour – but barriers include scarcity of finance-sector talent and a lack of clarity over incentives.

Tax breaks in Taiwan, trade war tariffs and supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the coronavirus pandemic are making China increasingly unappealing for Taiwanese firms.

Hotels in Taiwan are empty, but campgrounds on the island are packed as people staycation their fears away – from hillside retreats that are close to nature, to tents pitched in an office building in downtown Kaohsiung.

Taiwanese export orders unexpectedly increased by 4.3 per cent in March from a year earlier, fuelling government optimism about economic growth in 2020.

More than three quarters of US companies in Taiwan say they are feeling the impact of the coronavirus on their business, says the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.

The cherry blossoms are out, and despite the coronavirus, crowds are gathering to photograph them and enjoy the views. This is not Japan, however, but Taipei, Taiwan, where the trees have beautiful rural backdrops and are easy to reach.

American companies in Taiwan are worried about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the local economy and are also concerned about the US-China trade war.

Taiwan’s tourism sector is suffering from the coronavirus outbreak, despite a small number of confirmed cases on the self-ruled island, the government and insiders say.

Cafe culture is taking over Chifeng Street in Taipei, Taiwan, which for the past half-century has been dominated by car repair shops. But can the coffee shops and mechanics survive side by side?

Island government has approved 156 new investment projects this year, many relocating from China or opting to add capacity in Taiwan to avoid US tariffs.

Tourism operators in Taiwan are reporting a big jump in the number of South Korean and Japanese visitors to the island as a result of tensions between Seoul and Tokyo.

Taiwan and Britain are pushing ahead with trade talks despite the risk of backlash from China.

Love hotels lurk in most East Asian cities but in Taiwan the market stands out for having almost no mid-priced hotels – you either get a cheap plain room or a pricey ultra-private stay in themed quarters with names like ‘Fast Climax’.

In a place where the only cats most people see are the stray ones at markets or prowling rooftops, Genki Cat Café’s 26 felines have helped make the animal more widely accepted.

Slow down, sleep in, walk around, or read, says the laid-back owner of a book exchange in Guanxi, a rural township built on tea. There’s a museum to the drink, century-old town houses to admire, and stay in, and Hakka food galore.

Little-known Forbidden City Museum in suburban Luzhou houses more than 10,000 relics from Beijing’s imperial palace. Visitors can get a personalised tour of the intimate space from its owner and curator.

The next round of tariffs that could take effect in July would include electronic products assembled in China, which could hit Taiwanese firms hard.

Exports cover 77 per cent of Taiwan’s GDP, an estimated US$595 billion in 2019, making the island vulnerable to global demand shifts offshore.

Higher costs and an ability to avoid trade tariffs from the US-China trade war are key reasons for the Taiwanese firms looking to move back home.

Policy to expand economic reach and reduce dependence on China runs into teething problems as tourism, trade and tuition numbers soar but so do visa violations.

Taiwan export orders expected to continue to drop through March on weaker demand due to slowing global economy.

American officials aware of schemes to ship goods through the Southeast Asian nation.

New attractions and environmental improvements in Kenting National Park a response to tourists’ complaints and a drop in China tour groups; some guest houses and restaurants have closed, and others have frozen prices.

Gains made by the Beijing-friendly KMT in Saturday’s elections in Taiwan will give the economy a boost in the short run, as relations with the mainland improve.

Subic Bay’s hostess bar strip sprang up to serve servicemen at the nearby  US naval base, but in the 25 years since they left a different crowd has been drawn to its beaches and dive spots.

Fast and simple is how Taiwanese commuters have always liked their first meal of the day, but amid intense competition, breakfast bars face pressure to serve more nutritious food in cleaner, more welcoming surroundings

No matter if you’re stopping for three hours or 12, a layover at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport offers travellers a taste of the capital and surrounding cities