# Taiwan
Latest news and articles about Taiwan
Total: 53 articles found
A Last Bastion in Africa: Beijing Bristles as Taiwan’s Lai Visits Eswatini
China's Foreign Ministry has condemned a visit by Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te to Eswatini, labeling it a violation of historical trends. The diplomatic row emphasizes the strategic importance of Eswatini as Taiwan's final ally in Africa and Beijing's ongoing campaign to isolate the island.
The Silicon Gilded Cage: Why Taiwan’s Record GDP Masks a Deepening Industrial Malady
Taiwan's per capita GDP has surpassed that of Japan and South Korea due to the global AI boom, yet this growth is unevenly distributed. The island faces 'Taiwan Disease,' a structural imbalance caused by over-reliance on semiconductors, currency undervaluation, and a widening wealth gap that leaves the average citizen struggling with inflation.
China Anchors Taiwan Claim in Cairo: A New Monument for an Old Decree
China has established a monument at Egypt's Mena House Hotel to commemorate the 1943 Cairo Declaration. The move is a strategic effort to reinforce the historical and legal basis for its claims over Taiwan within the context of the post-WWII international order.
Washington’s Multi-Billion Dollar Collection Call: Arms Sales, Legislative Deadlock, and the Battle for Taiwan’s Defense Narrative
Washington is exerting bipartisan pressure on Taiwan’s legislature to approve a record $14 billion arms sale amid a $20.5 billion delivery backlog. The opposition KMT is leveraging mainland dialogue and public debt concerns to stall the budget, creating a significant roadblock for U.S. strategic plans in the region.
Fortress China: How Beijing’s Security Czar is Redefining the Global Order
China’s Minister of State Security, Chen Yixin, has articulated a new strategic doctrine prioritizing 'political security' and technological autonomy against a backdrop of perceived Western hegemony. The plan emphasizes 'six struggles'—including anti-espionage and anti-blockade efforts—to safeguard the country's development in an era of increasing geopolitical volatility.
A Bridge Too Far: Taiwan Rejects Symbolic Naval Mission to the Strait of Hormuz
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has rejected a legislator's proposal to send minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz, citing the technical limitations of the vessels and the need to prioritize local defense. The incident underscores the gap between symbolic geopolitical gestures and the operational reality of Taiwan's coastal-focused navy.
The Mirage of Intervention: Why Global Overstretch is Fueling Taiwan’s Abandonment Narrative
Political commentator Guo Zhengliang has criticized President Lai Ching-te, arguing that U.S. preoccupation with Middle Eastern conflicts renders American intervention in Taiwan unlikely. This reflects a broader trend of 'abandonment theory' gaining traction in Taiwan's domestic discourse as global geopolitical tensions rise.
Taiwan Recovers F-16V Black Box After Two Months at Sea, Pilot Still Missing
Taipei recovered the flight data recorder from an F-16V that crashed into the sea on January 6 after over two months of searching; the device was found at about 2,500 metres and will be sent to the U.S. manufacturer for analysis. Wreckage was retrieved but the pilot remains missing, and investigators hope the recorder will reveal whether technical failure or human factors caused the accident.
Taiwan Rhetoric, PLA Flights and a Shifting Calculus: Why One Provocation Matters as Trump Heads to Beijing
Lai Ching‑te’s recent declarations that Taiwan is a country and his provocative remarks about Japan’s colonial past have triggered sharp reactions from Beijing and coincided with a notable uptick in PLA flights and amphibious drills. The developments exacerbate electoral competition in Taiwan and complicate U.S.–China diplomacy at a sensitive moment, raising the risk of miscalculation in the Taiwan Strait.
Mature-node Price Shock: Taiwan Foundries Signal 2026 Cost Rises for Chips
Major Taiwan mature-node foundries — UMC, Vanguard/World Advanced and Powerchip — are implementing or signalling wafer price increases beginning as early as April 2026, with some hikes around 10% or higher. The adjustments reflect tighter capacity and higher costs in mature processes and will prompt downstream customers to raise prices, redesign products, or seek alternative suppliers.
Wang Yi’s Global Pitch: Stability, South-South Leadership and the Year China Seeks to Shape the Agenda
At a lengthy press conference at the NPC, Foreign Minister Wang Yi outlined a confident Chinese diplomacy for 2026 that emphasises high-level summitry, South-South cooperation, defence of multilateral institutions and concrete economic measures. Beijing seeks to position itself as a stabiliser and reformer of global governance while setting clear red lines on Taiwan, urging ceasefire in the Middle East, and deepening ties with Russia and developing regions.
China’s Modest 2026 Defence Bump: A Defensive Build‑Up or Regional Signal?
China’s 2026 defence budget of 19,095.61 billion yuan — a circa 7% rise — fits an 11‑year pattern of steady, single‑digit increases and sits at about 1.5% of GDP. Beijing frames the rise as defensive and remedial, but even incremental modernisation can reshape regional balances and spur reciprocal responses from neighbours and partners.