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☆ Taiwan rattled by offshore earthquake, no reports of damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TAIPEI, Nov 26 (Reuters) - A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's east coast on Sunday, the island's weather bureau said, briefly shaking buildings in the capital Taipei but with no reports of damage. The epicentre of the earthquake was in the sea off Taiwan's Hualien county, at a depth of 22.4 km (14 miles), the weather bureau said. Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes. More than 100 people were killed in a quake in southern Taiwan in 2016, while a 7.3 magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people in 1999. Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan's, Taipei, Hualien, Taiwan

☆ China, US exchange accusations over US vessel in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING/SHANGHAI, Nov 26 (Reuters) - China and the United States exchanged accusations at the weekend over the disputed South China Sea, after China's military said it had driven away a U.S. warship that the U.S. Navy said was on a routine freedom of navigation operation. The U.S. Navy said on Sunday that the Hopper had "asserted navigational rights in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law". China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. This weekend's incident, China said, "proves that the United States is an out-and-out 'security risk creator' in the South China Sea". "Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas."

Persons: Hopper, China's, Kristina Weidemann, Casey, Laurie Chen, Ben Blanchard, Mark Potter, Edmund Klamann Organizations: United, U.S . Navy, People's Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command, U.S, Australia, Philippine, U.S . 7th Fleet, U.S . State Department, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, SHANGHAI, China, United States, U.S, South China, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Beijing, Manila, South, Shanghai, Taipei

☆ Taiwan opposition rushes to register candidates after talks implode on live TV
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The talks were brokered by the billionaire founder of major Apple supplier Foxconn (2317.TW), Terry Gou, who is running as an independent candidate. In one of the most dramatic moments, the KMT's presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, read a private text message from TPP candidate Ko Wen-je in which Ko said Gou needed to "find a reason" to drop out of the presidential race. Hou and Ko will on Friday morning go to the election commission to register their separate presidential runs, ahead of a 0930GMT registration deadline. Gou, who has trailed far behind in the polls, has not said whether he will also register. By contrast, a united DPP has been charging ahead in its election campaign, registering its presidential and vice presidential candidates on Tuesday.

Persons: Terry Gou, Ma Ying, Hou Yu, Eric Chu, Ko Wen, Ko, Hou, Gou, Lai Ching, Lai, Ben Blanchard, Roger Tung, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Taiwan People's Party, ih, Kuomintang, KMT, Democratic Progressive Party, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, TAIPEI, China

TAIPEI, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of tech giant Foxconn (2317.TW), on Friday withdrew from the race to be Taiwan's next president, bringing a sense of relief to the major Apple (AAPL.O) supplier and iPhone manufacturer, sources said. Complete the change of power and change Taiwan," Gou said. Despite a massive advertising campaign, which saw his face plastered across Taiwan, Gou consistently polled far behind his rivals. Although Gou stepped down as Foxconn chief in 2019 and resigned as a board member in early September, he remained the company's largest shareholder. "It's a sigh of relief," said one of the sources, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Persons: Terry Gou, Gou, Hou Yu, Ko Wen, Ko, Lai Ching, Foxconn, Young Liu, TPP, Tammy Lai, Lai, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Sarah Wu, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Apple, Democratic Progressive Party, ih, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Facebook, Global Times, Reuters, Netflix, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, Taipei, Beijing

☆ Taiwan says Australian warship sailed through Taiwan Strait
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TAIPEI, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Friday that an Australian warship had sailed through the Taiwan Strait, the sensitive and narrow waterway that separates the democratically governed island from China. The ship, which it did not name, entered the strait on Thursday and sailed in a southerly direction, the ministry added. Last week, Canberra complained of an incident involving a Chinese warship and an Australian navy vessel in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which an Australian military diver was injured. The U.S. Navy sends ships through the strait around once a month in what it calls "routine" transits. Taiwan has over the past four years complained of repeated Chinese military activity around the island, especially in the strait.

Persons: Ben Blanchard, Kirsty Needham, Diane Craft, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S . Navy, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Australian, Taiwan Strait, China, Australia, Canberra, Taiwan, Sydney

[1/3] Hsiao Bi-khim, vice presidential candidate for Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and former envoy to the United States, speaks to the media during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan November 23, 2023. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) had previously agreed to work together against the ruling DPP but have made no progress on plans for a united presidential ticket. Lai and Hsiao, on the other hand, with a united party behind them, are moving ahead smoothly with their campaign. Their disagreement has gripped Taiwan for the past week, and both parties have insisted they still want to work together. At the Taipei hotel, Gou's campaign set up a digital clock counting down to Friday's election registration deadline of 0930 GMT.

Persons: Hsiao, Ben Blanchard, Lai Ching, Terry Gou, Lai, It's, Gou, Ko Wen, Hou Yu, Huang Shih, Huang, Yimou Lee, Sarah Wu, Jacqueline Wong, Robert Birsel Organizations: Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, TPP, ih, Thomson Locations: United States, Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, United, Beijing, Taiwan Strait

☆ Taiwan ruling party powers ahead as chaos engulfs opposition campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-Khim arrive to register for the upcoming presidential election for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) at the Central Election Commission in Taipei, Taiwan November 21, 2023. Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who China views as a separatist, leads opinion polls to be Taiwan's next president. Talks between the two main opposition parties to team up and take him on have floundered and are in deadlock. Lai told reporters he and Hsiao were "confident and determined to lead Taiwan steadily in the chaotic situation". Taiwan's main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), which traditional favours close ties with Beijing, had agreed with the much smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP) last week to offer a joint ticket to take on Lai.

Persons: Lai Ching, Hsiao Bi, Ann Wang, Lai, Taiwan's, Hsiao, Hou Yu, Ko, Hou, Huang Shan, Huang, Terry Gou, Tammy Lai, Gou, Huang Shih, Ben Blanchard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Central, Commission, REUTERS, Rights, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, ih, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, Beijing, China, Taiwan's, Lai

☆ Taiwan election about choosing whether to embrace China, frontrunner says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te and running mate Hsiao Bi-Khim pose for a photo after registering for the upcoming presidential election at the Central Election Commission in Taipei, Taiwan November 21, 2023. Lai Ching-te, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has led in most opinion polls ahead of the election. Speaking to reporters and supporters after formally registering his candidacy with the election commission, Lai said Taiwan's security was an international issue and the whole world was watching this election. "The people of Taiwan have to choose between trusting Taiwan, allowing Taiwan to continue to move forward on the road of democracy, and relying on China, following the old path of the one-China principle, and walking into the embrace of China," he said. Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard".

Persons: Lai Ching, Hsiao Bi, Ann WAng, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai, Hsiao, colluding, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Central, Commission, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Taipei, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, United States

☆ Foxconn's electric car unit falls in market debut amid tough industry outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view of a Foxtron logo on a electric vehicle on display during the company's annual Tech Day in Taipei, Taiwan, October 18, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Shares in Foxtron Vehicle Technologies (2258.TW), a unit of Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn (2317.TW), fell in their market debut on Monday, hurt by concerns over headwinds in the highly competitive electric vehicle market. Foxtron shares did recover some ground from earlier losses of as much as 9%, ending down 2.7% which gave it a market capitalisation of around $2.7 billion. Foxtron is a joint venture between Foxconn - the world's largest contract manufacturer for iPhones and other consumer electronics - and local car maker Yulon (2201.TW). Young Liu, chairman of both Foxtron and Foxconn, said, however, the company has a clear strategy for growth.

Persons: Ann Wang, Foxtron, Yulon . Young Liu, Liu, Foxconn, Terry Gou, Ben Blanchard, Faith Hung, Anne Marie Roantree, Navaratnam, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Tech Day, REUTERS, Rights, Vehicle Technologies, Mega International Securities, Yulon, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, Foxconn, North America, Southeast Asia, China

In a post on his Facebook page, Lai said he would formally present Hsiao as his running mate on Monday afternoon. "Bi-khim's relationships in D.C. will be invaluable to a President Lai, if he is elected, she's going to bring all of those relationships into his government and he doesn't have those," he told Reuters. The United States, as with most countries, has no formal ties with Taiwan, but is the island's most important international supporter and arms supplier. 'INDEPENDENCE ACT'Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard". The DPP champions Taiwan's separate identity from China.

Persons: Hsiao, khim, Morris Chang, Carlos Barria, Lai Ching, Lai, Democratic Progressive Party's, Rupert Hammond, Chambers, Chen Shui, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: APEC, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive, U.S ., Taiwan Business Council, Reuters, The, ACT, Taiwan Affairs Office, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Facebook, Thomson Locations: U.S, Asia, San Francisco , California, Rights TAIPEI, United States, January's, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, China, The United States, Japan

☆ Taiwan Election About Choosing Whether to Embrace China, Frontrunner Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Lai Ching-te, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has led in most opinion polls ahead of the election. Speaking to reporters and supporters after formally registering his candidacy with the election commission, Lai said Taiwan's security was an international issue and the whole world was watching this election. "The people of Taiwan have to choose between trusting Taiwan, allowing Taiwan to continue to move forward on the road of democracy, and relying on China, following the old path of the one-China principle, and walking into the embrace of China," he said. Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard". "Taiwan independence means war.

Persons: Ben Blanchard, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai, Hsiao, colluding, Lincoln Organizations: Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Taipei Locations: Ben Blanchard TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United States

☆ Taiwan's Former US Envoy, Well-Known in U.S., Vilified by China, Named VP Candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Persons: Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Lai Ching, Lai, Democratic Progressive Party's, Hsiao, Rupert Hammond, Chambers, Chen Shui, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: Democratic Progressive, U.S ., Taiwan Business Council, Reuters, The, ACT, Taiwan Affairs Office, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Facebook Locations: Yimou Lee TAIPEI, United States, January's, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, China, U.S, The United States, Japan

☆ Taiwan opposition talks deadlocked, with no signs of compromise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. China has stepped up military and political pressure, including high-profile war games, to press the island to accept the sovereignty claims that Taiwan rejects. The parties on Saturday failed to reach agreement on how to interpret opinion polls and thus decide on who will stand for which position. China detests frontrunner Lai, regarding him as a separatist, and has rebuffed repeated calls from him for talks. Hou especially has vowed to renew dialogue with Beijing, and says Lai is a dangerous supporter of Taiwan independence.

Persons: Ko Wen, je, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Hou Yu, Eric Chu, Lai, Hou, Ko, Hsiao, Ben Blanchard, Tom Hogue Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Democratic Progressive, ih, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing, United States

☆ APEC over, Taiwan reports renewed Chinese military activity
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Taiwan reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island on Sunday, with nine aircraft crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait and warships carrying out "combat readiness patrols". Democratically-governed Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained for the past four years of regular Chinese military patrols and drills near the island, as Beijing seeks to pressure Taipei over its sovereignty claims. With Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco last week for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he met U.S. President Joe Biden, the scale of that military activity around Taiwan had scaled off. The aircraft were accompanying Chinese warships carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" it added. China says its activities near Taiwan are aimed at "collusion" between Taiwan separatists and the United States and to protect China's territorial integrity.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Su, Xi, Biden, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, U.S, Taiwan, Biden, Thomson Locations: Rights TAIPEI, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, China, Beijing, Taipei, San Francisco, United States, U.S

☆ APEC Over, Taiwan Reports Renewed Chinese Military Activity
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island on Sunday, with nine aircraft crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait and warships carrying out "combat readiness patrols". Democratically-governed Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained for the past four years of regular Chinese military patrols and drills near the island, as Beijing seeks to pressure Taipei over its sovereignty claims. With Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco last week for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he met U.S. President Joe Biden, the scale of that military activity around Taiwan had scaled off. The aircraft were accompanying Chinese warships carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" it added. China says its activities near Taiwan are aimed at "collusion" between Taiwan separatists and the United States and to protect China's territorial integrity.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Su, Xi, Biden, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard, Kim Coghill Organizations: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, U.S, Taiwan, Biden Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, China, Beijing, Taipei, San Francisco, United States, U.S

☆ Clock ticking as Taiwan opposition bicker over joint presidency bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. China has stepped up military and political pressure, including high-profile war games, to press the island to accept its sovereignty claim, which Taiwan rejects. But both parties failed to reach agreement on how to interpret opinion polls and thus decide who will stand for what position by an originally scheduled deadline of Saturday. China detests frontrunner Lai, regarding him as a separatist, and has rebuffed repeated calls from him for talks. Hou especially has vowed to renew dialogue with Beijing, and says Lai is a dangerous supporter of Taiwan independence.

Persons: Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Hou Yu, Ko, Lai, Hou, Hsiao, Eric Chu, Tsai Ing, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard, Kim Coghill Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Democratic Progressive, ih, Former Taipei, DPP, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, Chiayi

Taiwan's APEC envoy Morris Chang attends a press conference during the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 17, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Acquire Licensing RightsSAN FRANCISCO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Taiwan's APEC envoy Morris Chang said on Friday that he had informal interactions with U.S. President Joe Biden and discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a summit in San Francisco, but none with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The White House has not elaborated on those conditions, but Biden asked Xi to respect Taiwan's presidential election process next year, according to a U.S. official. Taiwan's envoy Chang said he supported those U.S. export controls on China. Reporting by Michael Martina in San Francisco and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Chris Reese, Kim Coghill and Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Morris Chang, Carlos Barria, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Chang, Kamala Harris, Xi, Biden, Blinken, Fumio Kishida, Wang Wentao, Michael Martina, Ben Blanchard, Chris Reese, Kim Coghill, Tom Hogue Organizations: APEC, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, U.S, Japanese, Biden, China's, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, San Francisco, Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing, Thailand, China, United States, Washington

Lai, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has almost consistently led opinion polls ahead of an election taking place amid increased Chinese pressure on Taiwan to accept Beijing's sovereignty claims. Vincent Chao, spokesperson for the Lai campaign, declined to comment on Hsiao's role but said an announcement on a running mate would be made on Monday. Randall Schriver, the former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, described Hsiao as a "good partner in promoting U.S.-Taiwan relations." The DPP-led government says only Taiwan's people can decide their future, and has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but been rebuffed. Like Lai, Hsiao is detested by China, which has on two occasions placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she is an "independence diehard".

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Democratic Progressive Party's, Hsiao, Vincent Chao, Ivan Kanapathy, Randall Schriver, Chen Shui, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Michael Martina, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Democratic Progressive, APEC, Asia, U.S . National Security Council, Reuters, Georgetown University, Patriot, Pacific Security Affairs, U.S, DPP, Taiwan Affairs Office, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, United States, Washington, Taiwan, San Francisco, U.S, Taipei, Ukraine, China, Beijing, Japan

[1/2] Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Acquire Licensing RightsWOODSIDE, California, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Joe Biden during their four-hour meeting on Wednesday that Taiwan was the biggest, most dangerous issue in U.S.-China ties, a senior U.S. official told reporters. Xi was trying to indicate that China is not preparing for a massive invasion of Taiwan, but that does not change the U.S. approach, the official said. "President Biden responded very clearly that the long-standing position of the United States was ... determination to maintain peace and stability," the official said. "President Xi responded: look, peace is ... all well and good but at some point we need to move towards resolution more generally," the official said.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Xi, Biden, Washington, Jeff Liu, Liu, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jeff Mason, Ben Blanchard, Andrea Shalal, Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates, Tom Hogue Organizations: U.S, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Biden, Senior U.S, People's Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: Filoli, Asia, Woodside , California, U.S, Rights WOODSIDE , California, Taiwan, China, United States, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, Beijing

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. It will unite Taiwan," Hou told business leaders after the talks. China cut off routine talks with Taiwan after President Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP took office in 2016. OPPOSITION CHALLENGEChen Yi-fan, an assistant professor of diplomacy and international relations at Taiwan's Tamkang University, said if Hou and Kou did not work together then Lai would certainly win. Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide their future and has repeatedly offers talks with Beijing, which has rejected the offers.

Persons: Eric Chu, Hou Yu, Ma Ying, Ko Wen, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Hou, Tsai Ing, Chen Yi, Kou, Lai, Chen, Ma, Hsiao Hsu, Hsiao, China detests Lai, Ko, Terry Gou, Gou, TPP, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Robert Birsel Organizations: Taiwan's Kuomintang, KMT, ih, Kuomintang, Taiwan People’s, Democratic Progressive, Taiwan People's Party, Taiwan's Tamkang University, Beijing, DPP, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, TAIPEI, China, Beijing, U.S, United States

☆ Solar stocks could rebound in 2024 after a brutal year but interest rates will make or break the recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Solar stocks could rebound in the second half of 2024 after taking a beating this year, though the industry's recovery depends largely on whether the Federal Reserve raises interest rates again. The rally comes as the residential solar industry looks toward the end of a rough year, with demand softening significantly as repeated rate hikes made installations unattractive for consumers. "The big headwind is interest rates," said Julien Dumoulin-Smith, a stock analyst who covers clean energy for Bank of America. Inventory problem The residential solar companies misread the market this year after a record 2022. The residential solar stocks will probably be broadly revisited on the buyside sometime around the spring of 2024, Blanchard said, though this also depends on what the Federal Reserve does with interest rates.

Persons: SolarEdge, Julien Dumoulin, Smith, we're, Corinne Blanchard, Blanchard, Wood Mackenzie, Jerome Powell, Goldman Sachs, James West, orderbook, West Organizations: Federal Reserve, Treasury, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Federal, Golden State, Utilities, Evercore ISI Locations: Dumoulin, California, Golden

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen poses for a photo with Taiwan's APEC representative and TSMC founder Morris Chang at a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan November 10, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Taiwan is working on securing a one-on-one meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and the island's representative at this week's APEC summit in San Francisco, but there is no message planned for China, a senior Taiwanese official said. "The two sides are discussing related arrangements," Koo said when asked whether Chang plans to hold an one-on-one meeting with Biden at APEC. Tensions over Taiwan are likely to feature when Biden meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the summit. Chang briefly met with Xi at last year's APEC summit in Bangkok, and discussed semiconductors with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Morris Chang, Ann Wang, Joe Biden, Wellington Koo, Biden, Koo, Chang, Xi Jinping, Xi, Tsai, Kamala Harris, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Michael Martina, Trevor Hunnicutt, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Taiwan's APEC, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, APEC, Economic Cooperation, Taiwan's National Security Council, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, San Francisco, China, Asia, Beijing, Wellington, United States, Washington, U.S, Bangkok

Terry Gou, the founder of Taiwan's Foxconn, makes a speech at Banqiao Cihui Temple in New Taipei City, Taiwan October 29, 2023. In a statement, Gou thanked his backers for their "enthusiastic support" and vowed to work hard to achieve "peace across the Taiwan Strait". While China's government has not confirmed the Foxconn investigation, Lai has assailed Beijing for targeting the firm. "Aren't we all waiting to see if Terry Gou will run until the end?" Foxconn says Gou no longer has anything to do with the company's day-to-day operations, though he remains its largest single shareholder.

Persons: Terry Gou, Taiwan's, Ann Wang, Gou, Lai Ching, Lai, detests Lai, Wellington Koo, Foxconn, Young Liu, Liu, Jeanny Kao, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Apple, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's National Security Council, Thomson Locations: New Taipei City, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, Ukraine, China, Beijing

U.S. Federal Reserve officials are puzzling over why bond borrowing rates spiked lately even as Fed policy expectations have remained largely unchanged. Whether a resurfacing "term premium'" now demanded to buy and hold longer-term bonds, is responsible is central to the conundrum. Britain's brief budget and debt shock late last year and the way the Bank of England was forced to react was perhaps a taster. "Once current debt has been refinanced and the average interest on debt reflects the higher long rates, absent changes in policy, debt ratios will increase," Blanchard wrote. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reutersby Mike Dolan Editing by Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, Olivier Blanchard, Washington's, Blanchard, it's, Morgan Stanley, Mike Dolan, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, . Federal Reserve, Bank of England, International Monetary Fund, Washington's Peterson Institute for International Economics, U.S, Congressional, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, United States, Europe

[1/4] Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen poses for a photo with Taiwan's APEC representative and TSMC founder Morris Chang at a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan November 10, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Taiwan will stress the importance of peace in the region at next week's APEC summit, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday, one of the few international bodies both Taiwan and China are members of and where their officials meet. The 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum will meet in San Francisco for the 30th APEC summit, the first hosted by the United States since 2011. Neither the president nor Chang, representing Tsai for the sixth time at an APEC summit, took questions. Chang, 92, had a brief chat with Xi at last year's APEC summit in Bangkok, a rare high-level interaction.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Morris Chang, Ann Wang, Tsai, Chang, Xi, Sarah Wu, Ben Blanchard, Stephen Coates Organizations: Taiwan's APEC, REUTERS, Rights, APEC, Economic Cooperation, TSMC, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Asia, San Francisco, United States, Beijing, pleasantries, Chang, Bangkok

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