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☆ China's warplanes have all but erased the dividing line in the Taiwan Strait, creating a dangerous new normal
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementChina's warplanes are pressuring Taiwan and have all but eliminated an important dividing line, with near-daily incursions creating a dangerous new normal. Since 2020, Taiwan has released regular, almost daily updates on incursions in its air defense identification zone by Chinese military aircraft. In 2021, the Chinese military flew 972 aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ, and that number nearly doubled in 2022. "We've become desensitized to high numbers of the military aircraft flying across the median line of the Taiwan Strait," Shattuck told Business Insider. AdvertisementChinese incursions are tiring out Taiwan's forcesThe near-daily ADIZ incursions aren't just changing the status quo in the area; they're also exhausting Taiwan's military.

Persons: —, Thomas J, Shattuck, Benjamin Lewis, They're, Nancy Pelosi, We've, hasn't, Lai Ching, of National Defense Yen Teh, Lewis, Lai, Taiwan's, Amanda Hsiao, GAO Organizations: Service, Foreign, Research, deconfliction, Taiwan, Getty, CAP, People's Liberation Air Force, Taiwan's Military News Agency, Anadolu, Getty Images, People's Liberation Army, of National Defense, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taiwan, China, AFP, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's, Getty Images China, Taipei, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan's ADIZ, United States

☆ As a warning, China sent warplanes and warships, including its first aircraft carrier, to practice assaulting Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

China conducted a large-scale military exercise surrounding Taiwan on Monday. China employed a number of warships, as well as its first aircraft carrier, and dozens of aircraft. AdvertisementIn a warning, China's military surrounded Taiwan during a military exercise on Monday, demonstrating its ability to blockade key ports, execute strikes, and assault positions. China's military, the People's Liberation Army, announced the "Joint Sword-2024B" exercises on Monday morning, with its Eastern Theater Command dispatching troops to conduct joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan and its outlying islands. In response to the Chinese military drills, Lai posted on X that China aimed "to undermine stability and the status quo, failing to live up to global expectations."

Persons: —, Li Xi, Li, Daniel Ceng, URfScDhgdj — Ryan Chan 陳, Lai Ching, X3SvV8sQY4 — Ian Ellis, Lai Organizations: Service, People's Liberation Army, Eastern Theater Command, PLA Eastern Theater Command, Getty, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, PLA, PLA Navy, Ministry of Defense, Liaoning, Sanya Naval, China PLA Navy Locations: China, Taiwan, Anadolu, Liaoning, Sanya, Sanya Naval Base, Hainan, South, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's, Beijing

☆ Taiwan's president is doubling down on sticking it to Beijing, saying China can't be the 'motherland' because its government is younger
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Lai Ching-te on Sunday said it's "impossible" that China would become Taiwan's "motherland." AdvertisementTaiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Sunday challenged the idea that mainland China is Taiwan's "motherland," saying the island's government is older than Beijing's. Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China, which governs mainland China from Beijing under leader Xi Jinping, celebrated its 75th birthday on October 1. Advertisement"Therefore, in terms of age, it is definitely impossible for the People's Republic of China to become the motherland of the people of the Republic of China," Lai said. "On the contrary, the Republic of China may actually be the motherland of the people over 75 years old in the People's Republic of China," Lai continued as his audience applauded and cheered.

Persons: Lai Ching, —, Lai, Xi Jinping, Mao Zedong's, Mao, Tsai Ing, Lai's, Tsai, it's Organizations: Service, Sunday, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan, Republic of, People's Republic of China, Republic of China, of China, Taipei, There's, —, Hong Kong, India, Southeast Asia, Washington

PARIS — The second boxer at the center of a global debate over gender eligibility and fairness at the Paris Olympics won her semifinal match Wednesday, ascending to the featherweight gold medal bout. Lin and another female Olympic boxer, Imane Khelif of Algeria, continue to face intense scrutiny and false accusations about their gender and eligibility to compete with women. The Bulgarian Olympic Committee later confirmed that Staneva was boasting about having XX chromosomes in an attempt to mock Lin. "The opponent is a respectable one.”Algeria's Imane Khelif reacts after defeating Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng in a women's 66-kilogram semifinal boxing match at the Olympics on Tuesday. Some who initially criticized Khelif and Lin apologized as more information about them and the IBA’s legitimacy came to light.

Persons: Lin Yu, Esra Yildiz, Lin, Imane, Kahraman, Svetlana Staneva, Staneva, Turkey's, Peter Byrne, ” Lin, couldn't, Khelif, Thailand's Janjaem, Ariana Cubillos, Thailand’s Janjaem, Umar Kremlev —, Vladimir Putin —, Thomas Bach, ” Bach, Aijaz, ”, Mark Adams, “, Lin’s, Khelif’s, Kremlev, Imane Khelif, Vadim Ghirda, Elon Musk, Harry Potter ”, J.K, Rowling, Donald Trump, ” Trump, Logan Paul, ” Riley Gaines, Nikki Hiltz, “, ” Hiltz, it’s, ” Khelif, Yang Liu of, Julia Szeremeta, Garros, David K, Li, Matt Lavietes, Jiachuan Wu Organizations: PARIS, Paris Olympics, Bulgarian Olympic, Representatives, Turkish Olympic, Press, AP, Tokyo, Boxing Association, Olympic Committee, IOC, IBA, SNTV, USA, Olympics, X, Boston Globe, Roland Locations: Taipei, Turkey, Algeria, Paris, Russian, New Delhi, Russia, Hangzhou, China, Istanbul, “, Yang Liu of China, Taiwan, New York

☆ A prominent think tank says China could take control of Taiwan without even launching an invasion — here's how
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewChina could take control of Taiwan without ever having to invade, a prominent think tank has said. China has already begun carrying out certain elements of such a campaign, launching increasing military exercises around the island. AdvertisementHowever, a "law enforcement-led gray zone operation" would complicate any third-party intervention, per the CSIS report. Tensions between China and Taiwan are increasing by the dayRelations between Taiwan and China remain on a knife edge. Chinese military exercises off Taiwan.

Persons: —, stoking, RHSKKjXtOu, pzmpXbWd0k —, Sidharth, Feng Hao, Joe Biden, Dong Jun, Xi Jinping, Gui, Tom Shugart Organizations: Service, Washington DC, for Strategic, International Studies, Business, pzmpXbWd0k — CSIS, China Coast Guard, Maritime, Administration, American Enterprise Institute, Institute for, Royal United Services Institute, CNN, PLA, China Military, Anadolu, Getty, Taiwan Relations, CSIS, Chinese Defense, US Navy, Center, New, New American Security Locations: China, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, Singapore, Beijing, Gui Xinhua, New American

☆ Singapore Airlines tweaks its in-flight seatbelt sign policies after fatal incident
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Singapore Airlines ranked as the No. Singapore Airlines altered its in-flight seatbelt rules and changed at least one flight route following Tuesday's turbulence incident which led to an emergency landing in Bangkok . The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, May 21, 2024. Singapore Airlines said in a separate statement that a total of 44 passengers and two crew remain in hospital. Turbulence-related incidents are the most common type of accident suffered by commercial airlines, according to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

Persons: Tuesday's, Bangkok's, CNBC's Sophie Kiderlin Organizations: Singapore Airlines, SIA, CNBC, Singapore Airline, Singapore Boeing, Srinakarin Hospital, Associated Press, AP, U.S . National Transportation Safety, NTSB, Aviation Safety Network Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, London, Singapore, Myanmar, Bengal

☆ China hates the new president of Taiwan — but its 'real nightmare scenario' is a Trump-Taiwan combo: analyst
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewFormer President Donald Trump winning the White House in 2024 would create a "nightmare" for China, especially with president-elect William Lai Ching-te at Taiwan's helm, an analyst on China said. Advertisement"Beijing's real nightmare scenario is not necessarily watching Lai Ching-te winning the presidency of Taiwan, but it's the combination of Lai Ching-te and perhaps Donald Trump coming back into the White House," Daniels said. "He was a transactional president," Rosen said. Trump followed up by suggesting that the US may one day abandon its agreement to the "one China policy," Beijing's red-line stance that Taiwan is part of China. Cross-strait tensions soared, but just two months later, Trump called Xi and agreed that the US would uphold the "one China policy."

Persons: —, Donald Trump, William Lai Ching, Lai, it's Trump, Rorry Daniels, Lai Ching, Daniels, Trump, Mike Pompeo, Pompeo, Xi Jinping's, Stanley Rosen, It's, Rosen, Tsai Ing, Wen, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley Organizations: Service, White House, Business, Democratic Progressive Party, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Lai's, Asia Society, Center for, Nikkei, Taiwan, University of Southern, China Institute, Xi, GOP, Iowa Republican Locations: China, Taiwan's, Beijing, Taiwan, Center for China, Nikkei Asia, University of Southern California's US, Hong Kong, Taipei, Iowa

☆ Taiwan's former U.S. envoy, vilified by China, is named vice presidential candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Representative to the United States, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office T.H. Lai, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has led in most opinion polls ahead of the election, which is taking place as Taiwan comes under increased pressure from China to accept its sovereignty claim. 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's smooth handling of its vice presidential nominee stands in contrast with efforts by Taiwan's two main opposition parties to agree on a joint ticket.

Persons: Hsiao, Lai Ching, Lai, Democratic Progressive Party's, Rupert Hammond, Chambers, Chen Shui Organizations: Cultural, T.H, Sheraton, Democratic Progressive, U.S ., Taiwan Business Council, Reuters, The, ACT, Taiwan Affairs Office, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Facebook Locations: United States, Taipei, Sheraton New York, New York City, January's, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, China, U.S, The United States, Japan

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'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

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

☆ Who is running to be Taiwan's next president?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Here is a list of the candidates standing for president and their positions on relations with China:LAI CHING-TELai, also known by his English name William, is running for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Currently Taiwan's vice president, he is also the DPP's chairman, and has consistently led opinion polls. Lai, along with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, have repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed, as Beijing views them both as separatists. Lai and Tsai say only Taiwan's people can decide their future. He was re-elected in a landslide last year but has generally been running third in presidential election opinion polls.

Persons: LAI CHING, TE Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Tsai, HOU, Hou, Mao Zedong's, KO WEN, JE Ko, Ko, TERRY GOU Gou, Gou, Ben Blanchard, Sonali Paul Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's, Kuomintang, KMT, New, Beijing, Taiwan People's Party, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei's, New Taipei, Taipei, U.S

☆ Taiwan president arrives in Eswatini to visit last African ally
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI/MBABANE, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen arrived on Tuesday in Eswatini, Taipei's last African ally, saying the island will continue to confidently engage with the world and show it is a force for good. The Taiwanese delegation signed three memoranda of understanding with the southern African country after it met with Eswatini's King Mswati III. Eswatini is almost entirely surrounded by South Africa, which Chinese President Xi Jinping visited last month. Tsai last visited Eswatini in 2018, and this time is being accompanied by Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua. Taiwan has provided large amounts of aid to the small southern African country ruled by an absolute monarchy, including in 2021 antiviral medication to help King Mswati III recover from COVID.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Taipei's, Eswatini's King Mswati III, Tsai, Eswatini, Xi Jinping, Economy Minister Wang Mei, King Mswati III, Ben Blanchard, Anait Miridzhanian, Michael Perry, Josie Kao, William Maclean Organizations: Eswatini's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economy Minister, COVID, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, MBABANE, Taiwan, Eswatini, China, Latin America, Caribbean, Belize, Nauru, Honduras, Swaziland, South Africa, America, United States, Lunga

People represent different countries during seminars on conflict scenarios with China, organised for youth by the Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Taipei, Taiwan May 21, 2023. Younger voters are again playing a role - but this time they are gravitating to dark horse candidate who has become the DPP's closest challenger. Ko Wen-je, a 64-year-old former Taipei mayor, has won over many younger voters with plain talk on issues such as high housing costs rather than focusing on the China threat. Some younger voters may show their hands late, so Ko's appeal to that demographic could close the gap with Lai. Although it may have a healthy lead in opinion polls, the DPP is acutely aware of the dangers of losing younger voters.

Persons: Ann Wang, Tsai Ing, William Lai, Ko Wen, Ko, Lai, Terry Guo, Chen Kuang, Chen, Hou Yu, Mao Zedong's, Ho Chih, yung, Ho, Zheng De, Zheng, Sarah Wu, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, John Geddie, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, REUTERS, Rights, United States, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan People's Party, Taiwanese Public, DPP, Apple, Chung Cheng, Taiwan's, ih, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, Beijing, United, Hong Kong, Lai, Chung Cheng University

☆ China military action to US stopover would be election interference, Taiwan VP says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai speaks during a welcome dinner in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this handout picture released on August 15, 2023. Taiwanese officials say China could launch military drills this week, using Lai's stopovers in the United States as a pretext to intimidate voters ahead of an election next year and make them "fear war". China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has an particular dislike of Lai who has in the past described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". China considers Taiwan to be its most sensitive and important political and diplomatic issue, and it is a constant source of Sino-U.S. friction. China says Taiwan has no right to state-to-state ties and has been trying to pick off Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai's, Li Shangfu, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Taipei's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Presidential, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Taiwan, Central News Agency, U.S, Chinese Defence, Thomson Locations: Asuncion , Paraguay, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, U.S, China, Paraguay, United States, January's, New York, California, Central America, York, San Francisco, Taipei, Moscow, Asuncion, Honduras, Beijing

☆ Taiwan-US trade: Deal is key to countering diplomatic isolation, Taipei's top trade negotiator says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Eric Cheung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Taipei CNN —The signing of a trade pact between Taiwan and the United States will play a key role in helping the island counter its diplomatic isolation from China, according to Taiwan’s top trade negotiator. Taipei has described the initiative as the most comprehensive trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan since Washington switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. But Chinese pressure is not the only hurdle facing Taiwan’s trade negotiators like Deng, as trade deals could also become a politically sensitive issue on the island itself. In 2014, a controversial service trade agreement between Taipei and Beijing — which was passed by the then ruling Kuomintang — resulted in mass student protests, known as the Sunflower Movement. They opposed it because it would allow meat products containing ractopamine, an animal feed additive common in the United States.

Persons: John Deng, ”, ” John Deng, John Mees, Deng, Mao Ning, Kuomintang —, —, Will Ripley Organizations: Taipei CNN, CNN, Taiwan Affairs Office, Trans, Pacific, Sunflower Movement, Student Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, United States, China, Washington, Beijing, Britain, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Kuomintang

☆ Exclusive: Taiwan on alert for Chinese-funded election interference
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Yimou Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"They hope to influence Taiwanese people by reaching out to the grassroots," said one Taiwan security official with direct knowledge of the matter. "They hope to influence swing voters who don't have particular political affiliation and would vote for whoever gives them benefits." It is illegal under Taiwanese law for an election campaign to receive money from "external hostile forces," including China. The report said the underground banking systems in Taiwan, which are widely known but difficult to regulate, could provide foreign exchange support. Some Taiwanese have been prosecuted in recent years over receiving illicit support from China in election campaigns.

Persons: Tsai Ing, China's, Wellington Koo, Tsai, Yimou Lee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, National Security Council, Chinese Communist Party, Taiwan Affairs Office, Democratic Progressive Party, Mainland Affairs Council, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, Beijing, Taiwan, Wellington, New Taipei City

☆ Taiwan civil defence handbook includes tips on identifying Chinese soldiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] All-Out Defence Mobilization Agency Director Shen Wei-chih poses with a printout of the newest version of Civil Defence Handbook after a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Angie TeoTAIPEI, June 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan's military released an updated civil defence handbook on Tuesday that for the first time includes a section on how to tell the difference between Chinese and Taiwanese soldiers based on their uniforms, camouflage and insignia. One of the changes includes illustrations of Taiwanese service personnel and "enemy soldiers" wearing Chinese military uniforms. The Taiwanese soldiers are shown smiling, whereas the Chinese ones have downturned mouths and a severe expression. It's actually quite hard to distinguish them," All-Out Defence Mobilisation Agency Director Shen Wei-chih told reporters at the defence ministry.

Persons: Shen Wei, chih, Angie Teo TAIPEI, Shen, Angie Teo, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, Agency, Civil, REUTERS, Army, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Beijing, Ukraine, Russia, China

But in a statement on April 8 last year, the company said: "Due to recent developments, Acer has decided to suspend its business in Russia." Asked about subsequent exports to Russia via Swiss subsidiary Acer Sales International SA, Acer in Taiwan said in a statement that "we strictly adhere to applicable international regulations and trade laws regarding exports to Russia". Acer did not say why it continued shipping its goods to Russia despite saying it would suspend business there. Reuters was unable to establish where some Acer goods that can still be found on sale in Russia had originated from nor when they had arrived in the country. There were no deliveries of the newly prohibited items by Acer to Russia from Switzerland after that date.

Persons: Dell, Artem Zhavoronkov, Acer, Filipp Lebedev, Gleb Stolyarov, Ben Blanchard, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Mike Collett, White, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Reuters, Dell, HP, Acer, Russia, European Union, Acer Sales International SA, PC, IDC Russia, Nordic Star, Economy Ministry, Economic Affairs, Russia's Ministry of Industry, Trade, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Russia, Ukraine, Acer's, Switzerland, Swiss, St . Petersburg, Japan, Bioggio, WhatsApp, Switzerland's, Tbilisi, Taipei, Geneva

HONG KONG/TAIPEI, June 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong police searched and detained scores of people on Sunday, including four arrested for "seditious" intent, as authorities tightened security for the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. [1/6] Police detain a woman with paper flowers in downtown on the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Beijing's Tiananmen Square crackdown, near where the candlelight vigil is usually held, in Hong Kong, China June 4, 2023. 'CLEAR CONCLUSION'Despite the warnings in Hong Kong, some individuals, including book shop owners, have been quietly marking June 4. Peggy Kwan, 57, an interpreter at the event, expressed sadness at the stifling of commemorations in Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is moving backward," she said.

Persons: Alexandra Wong, Chris, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Chow, Mao Ning, Peggy Kwan, William Lai, Yew Lun Tian, Joyce Zhou, Angie Teo, James Redmayne, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hong Kong, Britain, Police, REUTERS, New, Rights, The, Facebook, Foreign, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, Town, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, TAIPEI, Hong, Hong Kong, Taipei, London , New York, Berlin, Victoria, China, Kong, Beijing, Tiananmen, New York, Taiwan, Sydney, North America, Europe, Asia

HONG KONG/TAIPEI, June 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong police said on Sunday they had detained eight people near a park, four of them for "seditious intention and disorderly conduct", as authorities tightened security on the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Restrictions in Hong Kong have stifled what were once the biggest vigils marking the bloody crackdown by Chinese troops on pro-democracy demonstrators, leaving cities like London, New York, Berlin and Taipei to keep alive the memory on the June 4 anniversary. The eight people were detained near Victoria Park, where for years after 1989 democracy activists gathered on the Tiananmen Square anniversary. Security is significantly tighter across Hong Kong this year, with up to 6,000 police officers deployed, including riot and anti-terrorism officers, the public broadcaster said. Jailed Hong Kong activist Chow Hang-tung, one of the leaders of a group called The Alliance, which used to organise Hong Kong's annual June 4 vigils before it was disbanded in 2021, said on Facebook she would hold a 34-hour hunger strike in prison.

Persons: Sanmu Chan, Hongkongers don’t, Hong, Chow, Mao Ning, William Lai, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: Hong Kong, Reuters, Police, The, Hong, Facebook, Foreign, Democratic Progressive, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, TAIPEI, Hong, Hong Kong, London , New York, Berlin, Taipei, North America, Europe, Asia, Victoria Park, China, Beijing, Taiwan

Closely watched for clues as to what shape Biden's 2024 presidential re-election campaign will take, the video released on Tuesday suggests he will warn Republicans are threatening "bedrock freedoms." "Freedom - personal freedom - is fundamental to who we are as Americans," Biden says in the three-minute video. Previewing their own likely campaign messaging, Republicans responded with a video that offered a dystopian vision of what a second Biden term would entail, and asks "What if the weakest president we ever had was reelected?" The Republican National Committee's "Beat Biden" video is presented as a fantasy newscast, one in which San Francisco is closed because of "escalating crime and fentanyl crisis." "The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom, more rights or fewer,” Biden says.

☆ There is 'no situation' where Taiwan can defend itself against China the way Ukraine has fought against Russia, says APAC security expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan can't fight off China alone, even if it gets NATO weapons, said an APAC security expert. There's "no situation" where Taiwan can pull off its own defense like Ukraine has, she said. Taipei's game plan will rely on holding out so the US can arrive, she told The Washington Post. "Taiwan has to be able to hold out long enough for the United States to get enough forces in theater," Mastro told the outlet. And US forces would be significantly delayed if war does break out over the Taiwan Strait, she added.

☆ Belize reaffirms ties with Taipei as Taiwanese president visits
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Jose Sanchez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrives at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, Belize City, Belize in this handout picture released April 3, 2023. Tsai's visit comes a week after Honduras severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in favor of Beijing amid heightened U.S.-China tensions. China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory with no right to state-to-state ties, a position Taipei strongly rejects. Guatemala and Belize are two of just 13 countries that Taiwan has diplomatic relations with. The Taiwanese leader is set to meet with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a second U.S. stopover in California on Wednesday.

☆ Taiwan told to vacate embassy in Honduras after ties severed
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A vehicle leaves the Taiwan Embassy after Honduras has given Taiwan 30 days to vacate its embassy after severing relations with Taiwan in favor of China, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras March 26, 2023. REUTERS/Fredy RodriguezTEGUCIGALPA , March 27 (Reuters) - Taiwan must vacate its embassy in Honduras' capital Tegucigalpa in 30 days, a senior Honduran official said on Monday, after President Xiomara Castro severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China in a bid for more assistance from the Asian giant. China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory with no right to state-to-state ties, a position Taipei strongly rejects. Taipei's embassy in the leafy Palmira neighborhood was for years one of the Central American capital's most prominent foreign outposts, as well as the country's second-biggest embassy after the U.S. embassy. The move left Taiwan with only 13 formal allies, mostly poor and developing countries in Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

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