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Taiwan

Taiwan
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Taiwan, covering politics, economy, society and the island's relationship with mainland China.
Hong Kong actor Alan Tang Kwong-wing pictured in 1973. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong society

On This Day | In 2011, Hong Kong film actor Alan Tang dies at 62 – SCMP archive

15 years ago, former Hong Kong film star Alan Tang, also known as the “Student Prince”, died from a heart attack.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: US amphibious assault ship arrives amid talk of ground operation

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Boao Forum for Asia

Asean countries warned against exploiting US-China tensions for short-term gain

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Obituaries

Henry Lee, forensic expert who testified in the O.J. Simpson trial, dies at 87

Born in China, Lee eventually moved to the US, where he gained prominence for his involvement in high-profile cases.

Henry Lee poses for a photograph at the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science in New Haven, Connecticut, in August 2011. Photo: AP
China trade

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

US-EU relations

German defence minister urges strong US presence in Indo-Pacific

‘To support or not to support Ukraine can also have an impact on Taiwan and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific’: Pistorius.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Trump 2.0 has flipped the script on the US’ one-China policy

By sending mixed signals to both Beijing and Taipei, the Trump administration has turned cross-strait stability into a bargaining chip.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, in Busan, South Korea, on October 30, 2025. Photo: Reuters
IOC

Olympic women’s sport to be limited to biological females

The IOC will reintroduce testing to determine eligibility to compete in the female category, preventing transgender women from competing.

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China-Germany relations

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

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Cheng Li-wun

Taiwanese court jails former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je for 17 years for corruption

Ko also banned from running for the island’s top office for six years, ruling out a run in 2028.

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Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je arrives at court ahead of the verdict on the corruption trial in Taipei, Taiwan, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

What can the Iran war tell China about missile interception?

Journal says China should target boost stage, when ballistic missiles are slower, lack manoeuvrability and emit an intense heat signature.

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New analysis in a Chinese defence journal says the PLA’s current ground- and sea-based missile defence systems are not sufficient. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

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China-Japan relations

Should China be worried about Japan’s maritime force overhaul?

Reform reflects shift towards quasi-carrier operations and preparations for potential conflict with Beijing, Chinese analysts say.

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Drones

Can Taiwan fulfil Asia-Pacific drone hub goal with ‘non-red’ supply chain push?

Plan is to invest US$1.38 billion between 2025 and 2030 for uncrewed systems industry, but questions linger over scale, politics and timing.

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A Mighty Hornet IV high-speed attack drone, developed jointly by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and US-based Kratos Defence and Security Solutions, is displayed at the Taipei Aerospace and Defence Technology Exhibition on September 18, 2025. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Why Beijing is blaming Japanese PM as Tokyo moves to downgrade China ties status

Tokyo’s annual diplomatic blue book set to describe China ties as ‘strategic’ and ‘mutually beneficial’, a step down from ‘most important’.

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Beijing says Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s “erroneous remarks on Taiwan” are at the root of their current tensions. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Economic ‘poison’? China has strong words for Japan’s ‘Takaichinomics’ strategy

Communist Party newspaper cautions against tying economic growth to ‘militaristic adventurism’, saying Japan’s citizens would shoulder the costs.

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China’s military drills

New Type 055 destroyers for PLA East China Fleet tested in first live-fire drill

Exercise will ‘rapidly integrate’ the advanced vessels into the joint combat system covering Taiwan and the seas near Japan.

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China-Japan relations

China slams Japan’s ‘kill network’ as long-range missile deployment looms

PLA Daily describes upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles as offensive weapons capable of targeting neighbouring countries.

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A Japanese Type-12 surface-to-ship missile is launched by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force at Beecroft Weapons Range near Jervis Bay, Australia, on July 22, 2025. Photo: Australian Department of Defence via AP
China’s private sector

Rights to antibody drug from China’s Keymed change hands in US acquisition

Sichuan-based Keymed expects to receive up to US$320 million as a result of deal involving its autoimmune disease treatment licensed in 2024.

United States

‘Deny, delay, degrade’: Taiwan reveals long-range strategy to hold off PLA

Focus is on building sustained and scalable combat capability, defence minister tells legislature as procurement report is tabled.

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China exports

China cuts some hi-tech metals sent to Japan – but magnet exports rise. Why?

Exports of gallium and germanium have slowed, yet rare earth magnet shipments have increased amid strained ties.

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Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements in this illustration taken on February 6. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
China's military weapons

Why is China’s ASN-301 suicide drone more deadly than its Iranian counterpart?

In a conflict over Taiwan or western Pacific, Beijing may overwhelm air defences through sheer numbers in a war of economic attrition.

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China-Japan relations

Trump’s biggest cheerleader? Why Japan’s Takaichi is making waves in China

White House photo of Japanese prime minister apparently dancing to a band draws derision on Chinese social media.

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South Korea

Chinese ‘new style tea’ makers expand in South Korea in challenge to coffee

More Koreans, aided by Beijing’s visa-free policies, are travelling to China where they become familiar with tea-based beverages.

A Chagee store in Beijing. The chain is expanding into South Korea. Photo: Shutterstock Images
China manufacturing

AI, flying cars drive economic transition in China’s Kunshan

City at heart of Yangtze River Delta region sees new tech dreams emerge as old ones based on mass production of electronics fade.

illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
US-China relations

Does USS Tripoli’s deployment to Middle East create an opening for China?

Amphibious assault ship’s transfer said to cause ‘dip’ in deterrence against Beijing’s military activity around Taiwan and South China Sea.

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US-China relations

China, India and why Jeffrey Sachs says the US needs to make the UN great again

The world needs to act like grown-ups and get back to sensible management of global affairs, Sachs says.

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