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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.
PLA soldiers fire a rocket into the air during drills on Pingtan Island in Fujian province, the closest mainland Chinese point to Taiwan, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
China’s military

PLA begins second day of live-fire exercises around Taiwan

Troops will simulate attacks on maritime targets and conduct anti-air and anti-submarine operations to the north and south of island.

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US-China relations

‘No worries’: Trump plays down Beijing’s military drills around Taiwan

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China-Japan relations

How Takaichi’s Taiwan comments fuelled Beijing-Tokyo row with no end in sight

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China-Latin America relations

Venezuela condemns US arms sale to Taiwan, echoing Beijing’s position

Caracas says Washington’s move violates one-China principle and threatens regional stability as tensions over the island intensify.

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The US arms package includes US$4 billion for 82 High Mobility Rocket Systems, or Himars, such as this. Photo: Handout
SCMP Highlights

PLA’s Taiwan drills, China powers up record ‘air battery’: SCMP daily highlights

From the yuan rate set to a 15-month high to Cambodia and Thailand’s meeting with China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Mainland China

Taiwan’s leader seeks T-Dome ‘connectivity’ to fend off Beijing attack

William Lai Ching-te outlines ‘layered defence’ fusion of satellite, radar and drone data to create backbone for security shield.

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China-Africa relations

China hits out at ‘support for separatists’ after Israel recognises Somaliland

Eritrea asks Beijing to raise issue at the UN, saying it should ‘shoulder its moral responsibilities’ while drawing parallels with Taiwan.

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Israel was the first country to recognise Somaliland as an independent state. Photo: AFP
China’s military

PLA deploys fighters in live-fire drill around Taiwan in wake of US arms deal

Military says it is conducting exercise across five areas near the self-governed island.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Trump’s pivot puts Pacific Rim at heart of global power shift

America’s strategy is hastening the geopolitical change of influence from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with US-China competition the primary driver.

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Hong Kong society

650 Hongkongers on Taiwan group tours confirmed safe after ‘terrifying’ quake

Earthquake occurred at 11.05pm in Taiwan, with epicentre located about 70km southeast of Taipei and at focal depth of 60km, Observatory says.

The earthquake occurred at 11.05pm in Taiwan. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

Why Chinese victims of Japan’s WWII bio-warfare are still waiting for justice

Dark chapter’s telling complicated by Tokyo’s official denials, Washington’s immunity deals and Beijing’s shifting diplomatic priorities.

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Chinese journalist Nan Xianghong interviews a resident of Chongshan village in Zhejiang province, who recounts witnessing Japanese soldiers performing vivisections on plague victims during World War II. Photo: Handout
William Lai

What next for Taiwan’s Lai as US$37 billion defence boost blocked by KMT, allies?

Procedural blockade for eight-year military spending package has also stalled 2026 general budget review, piling up pressure on ruling DPP.

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US-China relations

Deal breaker? Record Taiwan arms deal complicates Trump’s 2026 Beijing visit

The US defends new arms sales and urges ‘meaningful’ dialogue, but analysts warn the deepening rift risks hollowing out the agenda for the Trump-Xi summit next year.

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China's military weapons

Is China quietly preparing cargo ships to transform into military vessels?

Containers bear the words ‘plan for the maritime revival of the Chinese nation and the community of shared future for mankind in the ocean’.

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Images of a cargo ship in Shanghai carrying containerised vertical launchers, sensors and self defence systems have gone viral online. Photo: Wexin
William Lai

Taiwan’s lawmakers vote to start impeachment process against William Lai

Opposition-controlled legislature will hold a series of hearings before a formal vote in May.

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Taiwan’s legislature will need a two-thirds majority to impeach William Lai. Photo: EPA-EFE
US-China relations

Beijing sanctions 20 US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales package

10 industry executives also face punitive measures following Washington’s unveiling of a record US$11 billion weapons package.

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Made in China 2025

China’s rising biotech clout on show in flurry of billion-dollar licensing deals

A burst of overseas licensing pacts is spotlighting China’s biotech sector, as Jacobio, Coherent Biopharma and Harbour BioMed land deals.

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China-Japan relations

China sharpens criticism of Japan ‘neo-militarism’, warns of ‘dangerous signal’

Amid heightened tensions, commentator says Beijing has sufficient policy tools in reserve should Tokyo endanger China’s core interests.

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Japanese ground troops take part in an exercise in Okinawa prefecture in June. Chinese state media says the resurgence of Japanese militarism has dealt a serious blow to bilateral relations and undermined regional peace and stability. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

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SCMP Highlights

China, Russia clash with US at UN; Taipei mayor visit: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing accusing Washington of violating international law to a study on animal fats, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

US-China relations

China vows to retaliate against ‘unreasonable’ US semiconductor tariffs

Beijing has pledged to ‘take corresponding measures’ in response to the levy, which Washington says is designed to counter economic threat.

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The new tariffs are due to take effect in 18 months’ time. Photo: Reuters
China’s military drills

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

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Screen shows red and blue opposing unit “indicators”, represented by aircraft and ships, manoeuvring near the coasts of Cuba and Mexico in footage recorded at a PLA wargaming event held in China’s Henan province. Photo: CCTV
Mainland China

Taipei mayor cuts Shanghai visit short to oversee security after mass stabbing

Chiang Wan-an has trimmed his visit to joint forum, one of only a few events attended by officials from Taiwan and mainland China.

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Trending in China

Japanese tourist in China gets extreme kindness after car crash, changes perceptions

Amid Sino-Japanese tensions, woman describes treatment she received as ‘incredibly warm, genuine and professional’.

US-China relations

Pentagon says Chinese aircraft carriers, 6th-gen fighters make US ‘vulnerable’

Report adds that Americans’ security is threatened by Beijing’s development of its ‘historic military build-up’, including nuclear arsenal.

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The Chinese military’s nuclear missile formation takes part in a parade in Beijing on September 3. Photo: Xinhua
US-China trade war

Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

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Representatives of the “Pax Silica” signatories hold signed documents at a summit held in Washington on December 12. The initiative is America’s new vision for the international AI supply chain. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
SCMP Highlights

China’s reusable rocket recovery fails, US blacklists DJI: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s booster rocket woes to Beijing condemning US seizure of oil tankers, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Taiwan ramps up security measures for coming holidays after mass stabbing

Tighter police deployments at transport hubs and major events ordered after deadly violence in central Taipei stokes public anxiety.

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