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by Paul HANDLEY / Ludovic EHRET in Beijing WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe warned his US counterpart in a phone call Thursday to avoid firing up bilateral tensions, a day after Washington angered Beijing by announcing it would send a senior official to visit Taiwan. Wei told US Defense Secretary Mark Esper in a 90-minute phone call to “stop erroneous words and deeds” and “avoid taking dangerous moves that may […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China said Wednesday a visit by a top US cabinet member to Taiwan was endangering peace and stability in the region, with relations between the two powers at historic lows. Washington’s de facto embassy in Taipei said US health secretary Alex Azar would lead a delegation to the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as part of China and has vowed to one day seize. “China firmly opposes official exchanges between the […]
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — The United States on Wednesday announced its “highest level” visit in decades to Taiwan, a move sure to infuriate China at a time when relations between Washington and Beijing are at historic lows. Washington’s trade office in Taipei confirmed that health chief Alex Azar would lead an upcoming delegation to the self-ruled island, which China’s communist leaders claim and have vowed to one day seize. “This marks… the first Cabinet member […]
by Amber WANG TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Taiwan’s former president Lee Teng-hui, who defied China and earned the nickname “Mr Democracy” for the part he played in the island’s transition away from authoritarian rule, has died. He was credited with paving the way for Taiwan to become a modern, free society after decades of one-party dictatorship and became a champion of the island’s bid to be treated as a sovereign state internationally. Lee had been […]
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-gwen on Tuesday warned of “counter measures” should a sweeping security law China imposed on Hong Kong “damage” the island. The new law has sent chills through self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing regards as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize, by force if necessary. Beijing has taken an especially hardline towards Taiwan ever since the 2016 election of Tsai because she regards the island as […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The Pentagon said Thursday it was “concerned” about Chinese military exercises around a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea, noting the maneuvers will “further destabilize” the region. “The Department of Defense is concerned about the People’s Republic of China (PRC) decision to conduct military exercises around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on July 1-5,” the Pentagon said in a statement. The activities “further destabilize the situation” […]
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — A giant panda gifted by China to Taiwan has given birth to a second female cub after being artificially inseminated, Taipei Zoo announced Monday. Yuan Yuan and her partner Tuan Tuan have been top attractions since arriving from China in 2008 as a symbol of what were then warm relations between the two sides. The unnamed cub, weighing 186 grams, was born on Sunday after five-hour labor, the zoo said. “We […]
by Amber WANG / Sean CHANG TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AFP) — Deserted streets, cabin fever and worries over COVID-enabling commutes in Europe and America have sent a demand for bikes into high gear — with factories in Taiwan racing to push out new units and scrambling to find parts. The deadly virus has sparked a global recession and hammered many industries, but it is boom time in the bike world and a major bonus for Taiwan, […]
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday pledged a humanitarian “action plan” for Hong Kongers pushing for democracy in the financial hub as an influx of activists seek sanctuary on the self-ruled democratic island. Hong Kong was upended by months of often violent pro-democracy protests last year sparked by rising fears that Beijing is chipping away at the city’s freedoms. Unrest has returned in recent days after Beijing announced plans last week […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Beijing will “never tolerate” Taiwan’s separation from China, a spokesman at the mainland’s top Taiwan body said Wednesday, after President Tsai Ing-wen was inaugurated for a second term. China considers the democratic, self-governing island as part of its territory, and has repeatedly advocated for its eventual reunification with the mainland — using military force if necessary. Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office, said China had “sufficient ability to defend […]
by Amber WANG Agence France Presse TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — China must find a way to live peacefully alongside a democratic Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen said Wednesday, in an inauguration speech that drew condemnation from Beijing. Taiwanese voters handed Tsai a second term with a landslide win in January, a vocal rebuke of China’s ongoing campaign to isolate the island. Tsai, 63, is loathed by Beijing because her party views Taiwan as a de facto […]
by Ivan Couronne Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON DC, United States (AFP) — Taiwan and South Korea have led the world in digital contact tracing for the COVID-19 pandemic — an example the US with its emphasis on personal privacy and decentralized system of government is unlikely to be able to follow. Instead, states and cities are opting to hire thousands of public health workers who will have to carry out the laborious task of phoning everyone with […]
