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☆ Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai begins to testify in his national security trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

HONG KONG — Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai began testifying Wednesday in his landmark national security trial that is widely seen as a measure of press freedom and judicial independence in the Chinese territory. He is fighting charges of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. Lai, 76, faces up to life in prison if convicted under a national security law imposed by Beijing. But critics say that promise has become threadbare under the rubric of maintaining national security. It added that judges remain independent and partial when handling national security cases.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, Lai, Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen, Anthony Wallace, Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo, William Wong, Wong, Kongers, “, ”, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Hong, John Lee, Lai ., Keir Starmer, Xi, Chris Tang, Sebastien Lai, Doughty, Chambers, Jodie Ginsber Organizations: Roman Catholic, Catholic, Apple Daily, Getty, British, Authorities, Prosecutors, Beijing “, U.S, American, United Nations, Capitol, Protect Journalists, Hong Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, AFP, United States, U.S, Lai . British, British, Brazil, Hong, Britain, Washington

He was the founder of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy, anti-Beijing newspaper that was forced to shut down in 2021. The trial, which began in December 2023, is the most high-profile prosecution of a Hong Kong media figure since the city was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997. Like all national security trials in Hong Kong, Lai’s trial does not have a jury and is presided over by three judges picked from a national security committee that is approved by Hong Kong’s leader. “Jimmy Lai is a key instigator of anti-China activities, and his collusion with external forces to disrupt Hong Kong and incite division is well-known,” China’s foreign ministry office in Hong Kong said in a statement last week. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Hong Kong at 135 out of 180 places in its annual press freedom ranking.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, hasn’t, Hong Kong’s, Joshua Wong, “, Donald Trump, Lai, Keir Starmer, Xi Jinping, “ We’re, Jimmy Lai’s, ” Starmer, Xi, Daniel Suen, ’, Chiu Mei, “ Lai, ”, Chris Lau, CNN Lai, Trump Lai, Mike Pence, Trump, you’re, ” Lai, Hong, Anthony Kwan, John Lee, Lee, Trump’s, Hugh Hewitt, I’ll Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Apple, White, Apple Daily, Getty, Hong, CNN, “, ” Prosecutors, Kowloon Law, Trump, Beijing, Hong Kong . Police, ” Police, HK, Hong Kong Locations: Hong Kong, China, Britain, British, Brazil, AFP, Beijing, Kowloon, Washington, “ Hong Kong, China , Hong Kong, Hong

☆ Italian village offers $1 homes to Americans upset by the election result
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

He says he loves the United States and is convinced Americans are the best people to help revive his community. “We can’t of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card. In 2018, as first reported by CNN, the town hall started selling dilapidated empty homes for one euro. “The village remains half empty, we still have about 100 unoccupied cheap homes potentially on sale, ready to move in.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Ollolai, It’s, it’s, “, Francesco Columbu, ”, Roberto Tangianu, Columbu, he’s, Francesco Columbo, ” Columbo, cortes apertas, Casu Fiore Organizations: CNN, ” Locations: Sardinia, Italy, United States, Ollolai

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s top leader on Tuesday warned President-elect Donald Trump not to interfere in the Chinese territory’s internal affairs after he said he would “100%” free the imprisoned pro-democracy activist and tycoon Jimmy Lai. He said Hong Kong, whose government denies that judicial independence is under threat, also valued the rule of law. “In these respects, I hope that all countries will respect the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and avoid political interference that could affect the judiciary and normal commercial activities in Hong Kong,” he said. Hong Kong also enacted its own national security legislation in March. Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai being escorted out of court in Hong Kong in 2021.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, Donald Trump, Jimmy Lai, Lai, Hong, Trump, Hugh Hewitt, I’ll, Lee, ”, “, Hong Kong, . Lai, John Burns, ” Burns, ” Lai, Burns, Sen, Marco Rubio, ” Lee Organizations: Apple, Hong, Administrative, AFP, Getty, University of Hong, NBC News, “, Trump, Republican, Fraser Institute Locations: HONG KONG, Hong, China, Hong Kong, United States, U.S, Beijing, British, ., University of Hong Kong, ” Hong Kong, Washington , New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, Singapore

☆ No 'external force' can change our future, Taiwan president says on frontline islands
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

KINMEN, Taiwan — Taiwan cherishes its freedom and democracy and no “external force” can change its future, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Friday, visiting sensitive frontline islands next to China for the 75th anniversary of a key victory over communist forces. Beijing detests Lai as a “separatist” and views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim he rejects, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future. The Kinmen battle was a rare victory for Chiang Kai-shek’s forces in the final days of China’s civil war. Soldiers at a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Guningtou in Kinmen, Taiwan, on Friday. No peace treaty or armistice has ever been signed between Taiwan and China, and neither government officially recognizes the other.

Persons: Lai Ching, Mao Zedong’s, Lai, “, ” Lai, Beijing detests Lai, Chiang Kai, Hwa Cheng Organizations: People’s Liberation Army, Getty Locations: KINMEN, Taiwan, China, Republic of China, Taipei, Guningtou, Kinmen, Beijing, AFP

HONG KONG — China conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan on Monday in what it said was a warning to “independence forces” on the Beijing-claimed island. The exercises had been expected after Beijing criticized a speech last week by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. China, which has not ruled out the use of force in achieving its unification goal, views Lai as a separatist and a “troublemaker.” The Chinese military also held two days of “punishment” drills around Taiwan after his inauguration in May. “The existence of the Republic of China is an undeniable fact,” it said in a statement, using the formal name for Taiwan. Lai said in his speech that Taiwan and China were “not subordinate to each other.”“On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving.

Persons: ”, Lai Ching, Lai, Li Xi, Mao Ning Organizations: Taiwan, Chinese Defense Ministry, ‘ Taiwan, Theater Command, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, Mainland Affairs Council, Chinese Communist Party, Foreign Ministry Locations: HONG KONG — China, Taiwan, Beijing, China, ‘ Taiwan Independence, Republic of China, Taiwan Strait, ” China, People’s Republic of China

☆ ‘Impossible’ for Communist China to be our motherland as we’re older, Taiwan’s president says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —It is “absolutely impossible” for Communist China to become Taiwan’s motherland because the island’s government is older, Taiwan’s president has said in a carefully timed speech that underscores the intense historical rivalry between the two. Despite having never controlled Taiwan, China’s ruling Communist Party has vowed to “reunify” with the self-governing democracy, by force if necessary. But many people on the island view themselves as distinctly Taiwanese and have no desire to be part of the People’s Republic of China. In Beijing, the CCP took power and founded the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949. They later joined Taiwan’s evolution into a democracy and have made significant ideological transformations, including favoring closer ties with Communist China.

Persons: Lai Ching, China’s, “, Lai, Mao Zedong’s, Xi, ” Lai, Lai’s, Republic of China ’, ’, Ling Tao, ” Xi, ” Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, CCP, ROC, Nationalist, Kuomintang, KMT, Democratic Progressive Party, Facebook, Nationalists, Communist China, of, People, Xinhua, “ Locations: Communist China, Taiwan, People’s Republic of China, Beijing, Republic of China, ROC, China, Nationalist, Japanese, Imperial Japan, Mao Zedong’s Communist, Taipei, Taiwan’s, Taiwan Strait, “ Taiwan

☆ China National Day: Xi Jinping vows ‘reunification’ with Taiwan on eve of Communist China’s 75th birthday
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese leader Xi Jinping reiterated his pledge to achieve “reunification” with Taiwan on the eve of Communist China’s 75th birthday, as Beijing flexed its military might in the run-up to the national holiday. But many people on the island view themselves as distinctly Taiwanese and have no desire to be part of Communist China. He also called for deeper economic and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait and promotion of “spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides.”“(We must) resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities,” Xi said. On Sunday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it was on alert after detecting “multiple waves” of missile firing deep in inland China. The funding will cover defense articles as well as “military education and training,” the White House said in a statement.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, ”, “, ” Xi, Lai Ching, Joe Biden Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, of, People, Xinhua, Communist Party, Taiwan, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, Army’s, Force Locations: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Beijing, People’s Republic, Communist China, People’s Republic of China, Republic of China, Taipei, Taiwan Strait, China, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, United States

☆ Anouk Aimée, Enigmatic Star of ‘A Man and a Woman,’ Is Dead at 92
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Anita Gates | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Anouk Aimée, the French film actress who became an international sex symbol as the aloof, enigmatic and sensual star of Claude Lelouch’s 1966 romance “A Man and a Woman,” died on Tuesday at 92. Her death was announced on social media by her daughter, Manuela Papatakis, who said her mother died at home in Paris. But it was with “A Man and a Woman,” a 28-year-old director’s low-budget project that went on to win the Oscar for best foreign film, that she created the image that endured throughout her career. Ms. Aimée was nominated for a best actress Oscar for the role. It also brought her the BAFTA film award for best foreign actress and the Golden Globe for best motion picture actress.

Persons: Anouk Aimée, Claude Lelouch’s, ”, Manuela Papatakis, Aimée, Federico Fellini’s, Vita ”, Jean, Louis Trintignant, Francis Lai’s, Oscar Organizations: BAFTA, Golden Globe Locations: French, Paris, Italian

☆ Why Lawmakers Are Brawling and People Are Protesting in Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Amy Chang Chien | Chris Buckley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The legislation proposed by Mr. Lai’s opponents gained passage only a little over a week after he took office, highlighting the challenges he will face in pursuing his agenda without a legislative majority. In elections in January, the opposition Nationalist Party and Taiwan People’s Party together secured more seats in the 113-seat legislature than Mr. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party. Mr. Lai’s supporters have accused the opposition of overreach and of serving the interests of the Chinese Communist Party, which claims Taiwan as its territory. Nationalist and Taiwan People’s Party legislators have rejected those accusations, and Mr. Lai’s officials have not offered proof of allegations that Beijing orchestrated the legislation. Politicians jostled and fought, and members of Mr. Lai’s party covered the floor and walls of the chamber with protest placards.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai’s, jostled Organizations: Nationalist Party, Taiwan People’s Party, Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party, Chinese Communist Party, Nationalist Locations: Taiwan, Beijing

☆ China has launched new drills encircling Taiwan. Why now?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Tensions are once again ratcheting up in the Taiwan Strait, with China launching military drills encircling Taiwan just days after the democracy swore in a new leader long loathed by Beijing. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it launched joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan early Thursday morning. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait – a narrow body of water separating the self-ruling island with mainland China – as well as north, south and east of Taiwan. The Chinese guided missile frigate Nantong, one of the vessels in the series of military drills around Taiwan. The defeated Nationalist Party fled to Taiwan, moving the seat of their Republic of China (ROC) government from the mainland to Taipei.

Persons: ”, Lai Ching, China’s, Xi Jinping, Li Xi, Lai, Wu Mei, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Tsai Ing, Tsai –, Mike Gallagher Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, People's Liberation Army, Weibo, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Nationalist Party, US, Communist, Beijing, Tuesday Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Kinmen, Taipei, People’s Republic of China, Republic of China, Xi, Washington

China launched two days of military drills starting Thursday surrounding Taiwan in what it called a “strong punishment” to its opponents on the self-governing island, after Taiwan’s new president pledged to defend its sovereignty as he took office. The drills were the first substantive response by China to the swearing in of President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing dislikes, in Taipei on Monday. Mr. Lai’s party asserts Taiwan’s separate status from China, and in a high-profile inaugural speech on Monday, he vowed to keep Taiwan’s democracy safe from Chinese pressure. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has mainly responded to Mr. Lai’s speech with sharply worded criticisms. China did not say how many planes and ships it was deploying in the exercise, but the last major drill in multiple locations around Taiwan that China has conducted was in April of last year in response to the visit to Taiwan by the former House speaker, Kevin McCarthy.

Persons: Lai Ching, Kevin McCarthy Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, Kinmen, Taiwan Strait

☆ China starts ‘punishment’ military drills around Taiwan days after island swears in new leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —China has launched two days of military drills surrounding Taiwan in what it called “punishment” for “separatist acts,” days after the self-ruling island swore in a new democratically elected leader. China’s ruling Communist Party says the self-ruling democracy is part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to take the island, by force if necessary. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it launched joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan at 7.45 a.m. on Thursday. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait – a narrow body of water separating the self-ruling island with mainland China – as well as north, south and east of Taiwan. It expressed regret to “such irrational provocations and actions that undermine regional peace and stability.”

Persons: Lai Ching, China’s, Li Xi, ” Lai, Lai Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry Locations: China, Taiwan, Kinmen, Beijing

Taipei CNN —Thousands of mostly young protesters surrounded Taiwan’s legislature late into the night on Tuesday, protesting a push by opposition parties to subject the island’s new leader and his administration to tighter scrutiny from a parliament controlled by lawmakers who favor closer ties to China. Meanwhile, the president would be required to deliver an annual address to the parliament on key policy issues. Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, as the parliament resumed its meeting to discuss the bill, protesters gathered outside the Legislative Yuan – Taiwan’s unicameral parliament – from morning until midnight, braving downpours in the afternoon. Lai, 64, a former doctor and vice president, was inaugurated Monday alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top envoy to the United States. Both leaders and their party are openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Persons: Lai Ching, TPP, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Yuan –, braving, Ricky Li, “ I’m, ”, Lai, Hsiao Bi, China’s Organizations: Taipei CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People’s Party, DPP, –, Communist Party Locations: Taipei, Taiwan’s, China, Beijing, Taiwan, AFP, United States

Taiwan’s incoming president, Lai Ching-te, is poised to take office on Monday, facing hard choices about how to secure the island democracy’s future in turbulent times — with wars flaring abroad, rifts in the United States over American global security priorities, and political divisions in Taiwan over how to preserve the brittle peace with China. Mr. Lai has promised to steer Taiwan on a safe course through these hazards, a theme that he is likely to highlight in his inaugural speech on a public plaza in Taipei. He has said that he will keep strengthening ties with Washington and other Western partners while resisting Beijing’s threats and enhancing Taiwan’s defenses. Yet he may also extend a tentative olive branch to Beijing, welcoming renewed talks if China’s leader, Xi Jinping, sets aside his key precondition: that Taiwan accept that it is a part of China. “We’ll see an emphasis on continuity in national security, cross-strait issues and foreign policy,” said Lii Wen, the international director for Mr. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party and an incoming spokesman for the new leader.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Xi Jinping, “, ”, Lii Wen, Lai’s Organizations: Washington, Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Taipei, Beijing

☆ China’s Xi to host former Taiwan president in Beijing, in rare meeting echoing bygone era of warmer ties
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Nectar Gan | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Joint concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness under Xi, including toward Taiwan, are a key driver of that summit. Chinese leader Xi Jinping shakes hands with then Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou before their meeting in Singapore on November 7, 2015. Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou speaks to reporters ahead of his visit to China at the Taoyuan International Airport on April 1, 2024. Ma Ying-jeou” or former chairman of the KMT, with no mention of his former role as the president of Taiwan. Reaction in TaiwanMa’s itinerary – and his meeting with Xi – has been closely watched in Taiwan.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ma Ying, Xi, Chiang Kai, Eric Chu, Ma, ” Chu, Lai Ching, Joe Biden, Biden, Fumio Kishida, Roslan Rahman, Amanda Hsiao, “, underscoring, ’ ”, Tsai Ing, –, Lai, Lai’s, fixating, ”, ” Sung, China –, Ma’s, Hsiao, Yan Zhao, Mr, Sun, Xi –, Sung, ” Ma, James Chen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, Kuomintang, KMT, China’s, shek’s Nationalists, –, Democratic Progressive Party, CNN Beijing, Japanese, Getty, International Crisis, Atlantic, “, Taoyuan International Airport, Communists, Nationalists, Atlantic Council, Taiwan’s Tamkang University, DPP Locations: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, Singapore, Washington, Japan, Philippines, AFP, Taoyuan, Guangzhou, Republic of China, Shaanxi, United States, China . Washington

☆ Milan Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2024: The trends that matter
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Scarlett Conlon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Milan CNN —Gimmicks were gone at the latest Milan runways — which concluded yesterday — with designers instead striking a more serious note that encouraged investment buying. Julianne Moore, A$AP Rocky and Salma Hayek front row at the Bottega Veneta fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week. Jacopo Raule/Getty Images1980s reduxRelegated as the style decade that people preferred to forget, the 1980s is slowly but surely starting to pop up on the radar. Jacopo Raule/Getty ImagesEven at MaxMara, famed for its trademark camel, creative director Ian Griffiths went in a deliberately different direction to focus on silhouette over shade. Jacopo Raule/Getty ImagesDark colors also dominated at Giorgio Armani this season.

Persons: Milan, Miuccia Prada, Raf Simons, Donatella Versace, ”, Julianne Moore, Rocky, Salma Hayek, Daniele Venturelli, Giorgio Armani, Bottega Veneta’s Matthieu Blazy, ” Franken, Franken, Jonas Gustavsson, Matthieu Blazy, Victor Virgile, Blazy “, Massimo Giorgetti —, Truman Capote’s “, —, knitwear, Jacopo Raule, Jil Sander, stilettos, Matteo Tamburini, Kim Jones, Karl Lagerfeld, Leigh Bowery, Judy, Julia, Versace, Anne Hathaway, Gina di Bernardo —, Aldo Fallai’s, Prince, Ferragamo, Tom Ford, Giovanni Giannoni, Ian Griffiths, “ We’re, we’re, Marco M, Gigi Hadid, Solange Knowles, Jacopo M, Matthieu, Aitor Rosas Sune, WWD, Hari Nef, Riccardo Giordano, Sipa Cate Blanchett, Gabriel Bouys Organizations: Milan CNN, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Blazy, Truman Capote’s “ La, Truman Capote’s “ La Cote Basque, Getty, Dolce, Diesel, Milan Locations: Milan, —, Bottega, MSGM, Truman Capote’s “ La Cote, London, “ London, MaxMara, Avavav, AFP

☆ China’s coast guard has triggered ‘panic’ in Taiwan. That’s only part of Beijing’s plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Nectar Gan | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“It’s super scary,” a passenger told Taiwan’s United Daily News in a video upon returning to shore under the escort of a Taiwanese coast guard ship on Monday. “(The Chinese coast guard) chose a tourist vessel because it’s high profile – you would expect lots of people on the boat with cameras and phones,” he said. The stakes are high, as the increased presence and closer proximity of Chinese and Taiwanese coast guard vessels raise the specter of miscalculations that could potentially spiral into open conflict. Speaking to reporters about the inspection by the Chinese coast guard, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-kcheng highlighted such risks, saying the defense ministry is “very concerned” about potential miscalculations. Taiwan's coast guard inspects a vessel that capsized during a chase off the coast of Kinmen on February 14, 2024.

Persons: King Xia, ” Kuan, Taiwan’s, Ian Chong, Chong, ”, “ They’re, Chiu Kuo, Lai Ching, China’s, Nancy Pelosi’s, Tian Feilong, It’s, Tian, “, Lai Organizations: Taipei CNN, Taiwan’s United Daily News, Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, Democratic Progressive Party, National University of Singapore, South China, Taiwan’s, Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Locations: Hong Kong, Taipei, Taiwanese, Kinmen, China’s, Beijing, Taiwan, Xiamen, China, East, South, Taiwan's, Nauru, Taiwan Strait

But the meeting failed to resolve any of their major differences, many of which have international implications. In a White House statement Saturday on the meeting, Sullivan stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown its displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by sending military planes and ships. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party largely campaigned on self-determination, social justice and a rejection of China’s threats. Sullivan highlighted that although Washington and Beijing are in competition, both sides have to “prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation,” it added.

Persons: Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Wang, Joe Biden, ” Wang, Sullivan, Xi Jinping, Lai Ching Organizations: BEIJING, U.S . National, Democratic Progressive Party, U.S, China - Locations: Washington, Taiwan, Thai, China, U.S, Bangkok, Malta, Vienna, Taiwan Strait, Ukraine, East, North Korea, South China, Myanmar, Beijing

☆ Delayed U.S. Weapons Raise Taiwan’s Vulnerability to Invasion
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Alastair Gale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te declared victory in the island’s presidential vote on Saturday. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party secured an unprecedented third straight term in the presidency. Photo: An Rong Xu/Bloomberg NewsTAIPEI—Taiwan has ordered some $19 billion in American missiles, rocket launchers and other weapons to help it defend itself against threats from Beijing. The only problem: U.S. delivery on many of those orders is years away. The delays increase Taiwan’s vulnerability to a Chinese invasion or blockade, say military analysts and former Taiwanese defense officials, since the island’s own weapons industry remains small.

Persons: Lai Ching, Rong Xu Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Bloomberg News TAIPEI Locations: Taiwan, Beijing

☆ Opinion: The repercussions from Taiwan’s election will continue for years
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Opinion Lanhee J. Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —For the US, Saturday’s Taiwan election results signal the continuation of heightened tension with China over the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty. This will be the case regardless of who wins the US presidential election in November. In fact, support for Taiwan is one of the few policy issues on which there is agreement between Republicans and Democrats. Overall, Taiwan’s voters chose continuity over change by delivering a victory to Lai and the incumbent DPP. Taiwan's President-Elect, Lai Ching-te (left), celebrates with his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on January 13, after winning the presidential election.

Persons: J, Chen, David, Diane Steffy, Romney, Ryan, Lai Ching, Lanhee J, Chen Lanhee J . Chen, Lai, Hsiao Bi, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Hsiao, Yasuyoshi Chiba, China’s, Xi Jinping, Elect Lai, —, ” Xi, Xi, ”, ” Lai Organizations: CNN, Public Policy Studies, Hoover Institution, California State, Republican, Democratic, Democratic Progressive Party, Republicans, Democrats, Taiwan’s, Taiwan's, Getty, Communist Party, Nationalist, Taiwan People’s Party, Beijing’sTaiwan, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Taiwan, China, Taipei and Washington, Taipei, People’s Republic of China, PRC, AFP, Nauru, Beijing, Taiwan Strait

☆ Peace and Prosperity in the Taiwan Strait Still Have a Chance
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Nathaniel Taplin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te declared victory in the island’s presidential vote on Saturday. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party secured an unprecedented third straight term in the presidency. Photo: An Rong Xu/Bloomberg NewsTaiwan has voted: bringing the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party an unprecedented consecutive third term in the presidency. Now the world is waiting on Beijing, which claims Taiwan but doesn’t rule it. Saturday’s DPP victory, with around 40% of the vote, could mean more scary headlines in the near-term.

Persons: Lai Ching, Rong Xu, Nancy Pelosi’s Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Bloomberg News Taiwan, DPP Locations: Beijing, Taiwan

☆ Unofficial US delegation says support for Taiwan remains ‘rock solid’ after voters defied China
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Nectar Gan | Eric Cheung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong/Taipei CNN —Former senior US officials reaffirmed “rock solid” American support for Taiwan in a visit Monday after the self-ruled island defied threats from China by electing a new president loathed by Beijing. “And we hope that the United States will continue to support Taiwan to deepen our cooperation in this area,” he said. An unofficial US delegation meets with Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice-President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim in Taipei on January 15, 2024. Since then, the US has maintained close unofficial ties with Taiwan and is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. Asked by reporters to comment on Taiwan’s election results Saturday, US President Joe Biden said: “We do not support independence.”

Persons: Lai Ching, Biden, Tsai Ing, Stephen Hadley, ” Hadley, ”, James Steinberg, Lai, Hsiao Bi, “, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Yoko Kamikawa, Xi, Joe Biden Organizations: Taipei CNN — Former, Taiwan, Saturday, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's, China’s, Ministry Locations: Hong Kong, Taipei, China, Beijing, Taiwan, United States, Washington, Taiwan Strait, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Tokyo, Japanese, Kuomintang

Despite having cut official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, the U.S. remains the island's chief diplomatic ally and source of military hardware and intelligence. Lai's victory was a setback for China’s efforts to bring Taiwan under its control. It goes against the expectation of global democratic communities and goes against the will of the people of Taiwan to uphold democratic values. Lai’s victory means the Democratic Progressive Party will hold the presidency for a third four-year term, following eight years under Tsai. Lai won a three-way race for president with 40% of the vote, less than the clear majority Tsai won in 2020.

Persons: —, Tsai Ing, “, Stephen Hadley, Lai Ching, James B, Steinberg, Tsai, ”, Antony Blinken, Lai, Johnson Lai Organizations: U.S, Saturday, Taiwan “, Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, United Nations, Nationalists, Kuomintang, KMT, China's, Chinese Foreign Ministry, ___ Associated Press Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Hadley, U.S, Asia, Pacific

☆ Who is Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s new leader and why does China dislike him?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

On Saturday, Lai, 64, the current vice president from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), won a widely watched election to become Taiwan’s next president. Confetti flies over crowds as Lai Ching-te speaks to supporters at a rally at the DPP's headquarters on January 13, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan. It was 1994, less than a decade after the DPP first emerged from Taiwan’s democracy movement against the authoritarian rule of the Kuomintang (KMT). Louise Delmotte/AP‘Chill out’In the lead-up to the election, China made no secret of its desire to prevent a Lai victory. Hours after Lai declared victory, China dismissed the outcome of Taiwan’s elections, saying the DPP “does not represent mainstream public opinion” on the island.

Persons: CNN — Lai Ching, Lai, Taiwan’s, “, ” Lai, we’re, ”, Xi Jinping, ” “, –, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Annice Lyn, I’ve, Louise Delmotte, Hou Yu, Beijing’s, Tsai, Xi, Beijing, Hsiao Bi, Hsiao, ” Lai Ching, Ann Wang, ’ Lai, ” Yang Wei Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, “, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Communist, ih, National Taiwan University, Reuters, Taiwan People’s Party, Taiwan Affairs Office Locations: Taiwan, China, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Tainan, Taipei, United States, ”

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