Tag: taiwan

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang would hold a summit with its three Pacific allies to strengthen its partnership…reports Asian Lite News

A Deputy Taiwan Foreign Minister will attend this week’s meeting of Pacific Islands leaders in Tonga, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday, as China and the US jostle for influence in the region.

The Pacific is also an area of competition between Taipei and Beijing, as China whittles away at the number of countries which maintain formal diplomatic relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang would hold a summit with its three Pacific allies to strengthen its partnership with them and other “like-minded countries”, a reference to Western democracies such as the US and Australia.

In January, shortly after Lai Ching-te won the election as Taiwan’s new President, Nauru switched ties from Taipei to Beijing, in what Taiwan’s government said was part of a sustained Chinese pressure campaign.

Three countries – Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands – have stuck with Taiwan.

In 2018, Nauru, then still an ally of Taiwan’s, blasted an “insolent” China for speaking out of turn at the Pacific Islands Forum. Nauru had recognised China before, between 2002 and 2005.

Taiwan has taken part in the forum since 1993 as a development partner under the name of “Taiwan/Republic of China”.

China says democratically governed Taiwan is one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state ties, a position hotly disputed by the government in Taipei.

Climate change and security are expected to dominate discussions at this week’s meeting of the 18 Pacific Islands leaders. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will also be going.

Taiwan and Tonga had diplomatic ties from 1972 until 1998 when the country switched recognition to Beijing and broke off relations with Taipei. Only 12 countries now maintain official diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Taiwan reports increased military activity

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that that it detected 12 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels from 6 am (local time) on Sunday.

Six of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), Taiwan’s MND said.

In a post on X, Taiwan’s MND said, “12 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 5 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

This adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. Reportedly, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island.

Earlier on Sunday, the Taiwanese MND detected 12 PLA (People’s Liberation Army) aircraft and eight PLAN (People’s Liberation Army Navy) vessels around its territory.

The MND stated that seven aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s Eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

“12 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” the Defence Ministry stated.

ALSO READ: China targets naval parity with US

ALSO READ: UAE-China Summit announced during ADGM’s China Roadshow

The 10-part series dramatises a potential invasion by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a first for Taiwan….reports Asian Lite News

Since the release of the teaser for the Taiwanese television series “Zero Day” last month, which depicts a fictional Beijing invasion, the dramatised scenes have ignited strong reactions and sparked vivid speculation about a potential Chinese invasion, CNN reports.

The 10-part series dramatises a potential invasion by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a first for Taiwan.

The teaser shows a besieged island experiencing terror and anarchy after a military blockade: locals race to take out cash, foreigners rush to leave, prisons erupt in riots, and television networks are compromised to air enemy propaganda.

Although the threat has been hanging over the self-governing island for decades, it is now intensifying as the Communist Party-run China becomes more assertive and powerful and shows off its military might, raising tensions to unprecedented levels, according to CNN.

With over a million views on YouTube and local media coverage, the 17-minute teaser proved to be a hit in Taiwan.

“As a 21-year-old, I almost burst into tears when I watched it. Every scene in those 17 minutes felt so close to us. Maybe one day in the future, these scenarios will become a reality around us,” said a top comment with over a thousand upvotes, according to CNN.

However, the teaser also drew criticism, particularly from leaders in the opposition, who claimed it heightened anxiety and overstated the situation.

Despite never having controlled Taiwan, China’s ruling Communist Party claims it as part of its territory and has vowed to take the island by force if necessary. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Macau denies visa to Taiwan official for not signing ‘One China’ affidavit

The Ministry did not specify the types of aircraft or vessels involved in the incident but assured that the situation was under close surveillance…reports Asian Lite News

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has reported a surge in activity by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near the Taiwan Strait, with 22 Chinese aircraft, nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and one official ship detected as of 6 am local time on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry, 12 of the PLA aircraft breached the median line, entering Taiwan’s southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwan’s military closely monitored the situation and responded promptly to the incursion.

In a post on X, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said, “22 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 12 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

The Ministry did not specify the types of aircraft or vessels involved in the incident but assured that the situation was under close surveillance. Incursions by PLA military aircraft and vessels into Taiwan’s ADIZ are not uncommon but have escalated tensions in the region, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China.

The Taiwan Strait, separating Taiwan from mainland China, has been a frequent area of contention, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as a breakaway province and asserting sovereignty over the island.

The latest incident comes amid heightened regional security concerns and underscores Taiwan’s ongoing vigilance in defending its airspace and territorial integrity against Chinese military activities.

As tensions persist, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence remains on high alert, prepared to respond to any further escalations in the region.

Amid the growing threat, Taiwan, starting Monday, began military exercises to test its war-fighting capabilities.

Amid rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait, China has increased its military presence and conducted frequent drills in the region. The manoeuvres are seen as part of Beijing’s ongoing pressure campaign against Taiwan, which China views as a renegade province. (ANI)

ALSO READ: US panel on CCP discusses labour rights violations by China

China has decided to suspend talks with the United States on a new round of arms control and non-proliferation consultations…reports Asian Lite News

The US side bears full responsibility for the suspension of a new round of arms control and non-proliferation consultations with China, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.

Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on certain US officials’ accusation against China of refusing to engage in the consultations.

Li said that for some time, ignoring China’s firm opposition and repeated representations, the US side has continued to sell arms to Taiwan, and taken actions that seriously undermine China’s core interests and damage mutual trust between the two sides, thereby undermining the political atmosphere necessary for continued arms control consultations, reports Xinhua news agency.

“For this reason, China has decided to suspend talks with the United States on a new round of arms control and non-proliferation consultations, and the responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the US side,” Lin said.

China is willing to maintain communication with the United States on international arms control issues on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, but the US side must respect China’s core interests and create necessary conditions for dialogue and exchanges between the two sides, the spokesperson noted.

Meanwhile, Penpa Tsering, the President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, commented on President Biden’s recent signing of the ‘Resolve Tibet Bill,’ stating that the move has clearly struck a nerve with China.

Last week, US President Joe Biden signed the ‘Resolve Tibet Act’, which states that China’s ongoing occupation of Tibet must be resolved per international law peacefully and not through repression.

In an interview with ANI, Tsering highlighted the intense reaction from the Chinese government, which has condemned the bill as an interference in their domestic affairs.

“The very fact that they came here to deliver the bill to His Holiness and then President Biden signing it, even before he signed, they said, please don’t sign the form.

Now, after signing, they are saying, don’t implement the bill; otherwise, it will have consequences,” Tsering said, adding, “So, in that sense, we know that it has worked and China has for it.”

Expressing a confident stance on the impact of the newly signed ‘Resolve Tibet Bill’ and highlighting that the bill has significantly unsettled the Chinese government. Tsering remarked that the strong Chinese reaction underscores the bill’s effectiveness in challenging Beijing’s narrative on Tibet.

ALSO READ: Down with Covid, Biden’s targets Musk, Trump  

President Lai made the remarks as he met the career diplomat during their first official meeting on Wednesday….reports Asian Lite News

Describing US official, Raymond Greene as an “old friend of Taiwan, President Lai Ching Te said that the nation will cooperate with the US and like-minded countries to promote regional prosperity, Taiwan News reported.

President Lai made the remarks as he met the career diplomat during their first official meeting on Wednesday.

In his first official meeting with Director Raymond Greene of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), President Lai Ching-te expressed his belief that relations between Taiwan and the United States would only improve in future.

The American Institute in Taiwan is a de facto embassy of the United States of America in Taiwan.

July 9, marked the professional diplomat’s official start of office as Sandra Oudkirk concluded her three-year term.

Given that Greene had previously spent two terms at AIT, the president referred to him as an old friend of Taiwan.

During his visit to the Presidential Office, Greene stated that the United States would continue to assist Taiwan’s attempts to protect itself because cross-strait peace and stability were essential to the Indo-Pacific area and the rest of the globe, reported Taiwan News.

Lai declared that Taiwan would make every effort to thwart China’s attempts to alter the status quo of the self-governed island, Taiwan News reported citing Radio Taiwan International (RTI).

Greene recalled that Lai, a lawmaker at the time, had received an invitation to participate in the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme when he first started working at AIT twenty years earlier.

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, has long been a contentious issue in China’s foreign policy, with Beijing considering the island as a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland, if necessary by force.

As the situation in the Taiwan Strait continues to unfold, regional stability hangs in the balance, with any escalation posing significant risks not only to Taiwan and China but also to the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan.

Gray zone tactics are defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force.”

This comes at a time when the tensions between China and Taiwan are at an all-time high. Despite never having governed Taiwan, China’s governing Communist Party considers it part of its territory and has threatened to conquer it by force if necessary. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Anti-China protests erupt on sidelines of NATO summit

In response to China’s action, Taiwan’s armed forces employed aircraft, naval vessels and coastal missile systems to monitor Beijing’s activities….reports Asian Lite News

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that 15 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels have been detected around Taiwan in the past 24 hours till 6 am (local time) on Sunday.

In response to China’s action, Taiwan’s armed forces employed aircraft, naval vessels and coastal missile systems to monitor Beijing’s activities.

In a post on X, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence stated, “15 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s central, southwestern, and southeastern ADIZ. We’ve monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of “gray zone tactics” by operating more military aircraft and naval ships near Taiwan, according to Taiwan News report. According to CSIS, gray zone tactics are termed as “an effort or a series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force,” the report said.

This latest incident adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. Beijing has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) and military exercises near the island.

Taiwan has been governed independently of China since 1949. However, China views Taiwan as part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.

On Friday, Taiwan MND stated that 30 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels were operating near its territory from 6 am (local time) on Friday and 6 am (local time) on Saturday.

Of the total aircraft, 23 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

The Chinese military aircraft came as close as 72 kilometres from Eluanbi in the south and 77 kilometres from Keelung in the north, according to a Taiwan News report. In response to China’s action, Taiwan’s armed forces monitored the situation and responded accordingly.

In a post on X, Taiwan’s MND stated, “30 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 23 aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern ADIZ.#ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.” (ANI)

ALSO READ: Indian-Russian business community awaits tech exchange talks

At election time, Beijing funded trips by local politicians to China in an attempt to influence voting behaviour…reports Asian Lite News

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau and Ministry of Culture accused China that it is attempting to interfere in Taiwan’s democratic processes, including influencing elections and interfering with media, Taiwan News reported on Wednesday

National Security Bureau (NSB) said China was inviting local politicians intending to influence elections, while the Ministry of Culture (MOC) said it would present a report on the alleged attempts by Chinese reporters to interfere with Taiwan’s media, reports said.

Officials from the Mainland Affairs Council, National Security Bureau, Ministry of Culture, and Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau will present a report to the Legislative Yuan by July 4, detailing their findings on China’s alleged interference in Taiwan’s elections and media.

The methods used by China included underground financial institutions demanding confidential military data as a form of debt repayment by military officers, as per Taiwan News.

At election time, Beijing funded trips by local politicians to China in an attempt to influence voting behaviour, while also spreading reports about measures supposedly favouring Taiwan businesses.

The NSB reports that prosecutors have filed 39 indictments in 84 cases over the past year, indicating a rising trend in challenges to Taiwan’s national security, Taiwan News reported citing CNA.

According to the report, the alleged interference by Chinese journalists posted in Taiwan on TV talk shows was the subject of an investigation by the MOC.

Seven Chinese media companies had stationed a total of 10 correspondents in Taiwan, Taiwan News reported citing CNA.

The probe focused on a former reporter for China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency who was accused of involvement in the production of a TV show. He had already left Taiwan, as Chinese correspondents were issued a press pass for three months, with one extension possible.

The MOC said it would publish the results of its probe into the former Chinese journalist within a week, Taiwan News reported citing Radio Taiwan International (RTI) report.

The investigation focused both on UDN, the Taiwan media outlet that had invited the correspondent, and his employer, Xinhua News. The Chinese news agency’s two current reporters in Taiwan have also been invited to discuss the issue, according to the MOC. (ANI)

ALSO READ: US curbs on AI investments hinders ‘healthy development’: China

Analysts and military strategists said that there are two key options available to China – a full-scale invasion or a military blockade….reports Asian Lite News

China’s military could isolate Taiwan, cripple its economy, and compel the democratic island to submit to Beijing’s Communist Party without firing a shot, CNN reported citing a Washington think tank.

There are concerns about the Communist Party’s intentions to take control of Taiwan, potentially by force, have intensified due to Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s increasingly aggressive stance towards the self-governed island. China’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further fueled these fears.

According to CNN, analysts and military strategists said that there are two key options available to China – a full-scale invasion or a military blockade.

However, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington highlights a third option: quarantine. This method, using “gray zone” tactics, involves actions just below the threshold of war. The China Coast Guard, its maritime militia, and various police and maritime safety agencies could enforce a full or partial quarantine of Taiwan, potentially cutting off access to its ports and essential supplies, such as energy, for the island’s 23 million people.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) might play only auxiliary and support roles, according to CSIS authors Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Matthew Funaiole, Samantha Lu, and Truly Tinsley.

“China has significantly increased pressure on Taiwan in recent years, stoking fears that tensions could erupt into outright conflict. Much attention has been paid to the threat of an invasion, but Beijing has options besides invading to coerce, punish, or annex Taiwan,” the report says.

Recently, China’s Minister of National Defence Admiral Dong Jun warned “external forces” for emboldening Taiwan Independence separatists in an attempt to contain China with Taiwan and said that these malicious intentions are dragging Taiwan into a dangerous situation.”

He said that anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will “end up in self-destruction.”He accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of pursuing Taiwan’s separation in an incremental manner and added that they are bent on erasing the Chinese identity of Taiwan.

Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships that operate near Taiwan’s territory.Gray zone tactics are called “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force,” according to Taiwan News.

This latest incident adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, has long been a contentious issue in China’s foreign policy. China continues to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan and considers it a part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. (ANI)

ALSO READ: What is China’s Agenda at FAO?