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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping have no shortage of difficult issues to discuss when they sit down for their first talks in a year, even if expectations are low that their meeting will lead to major breakthroughs. Beijing’s demands were made clear last November when Xi and Biden met in Bali, Indonesia, during the Group of 20 summit. That was a rejoinder to the Biden administration mantra that the two nations should compete vigorously while not looking for conflict. Beijing has bristled at export controls and other measures imposed by the Biden administration, perceiving them as designed to stifle China's economic growth. But Xi, this time, is likely to seek assurance from Biden that the U.S. will not pile new ones onto China.

Persons: Joe Biden, China’s Xi, what’s, Biden, Xi, Janet Yellen, “, ”, Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Xie Feng, Wang Wenbin, Zhu Feng, Zhu, Kanis Leung, Ken Moritsugu, Yu Bing Organizations: WASHINGTON, Economic Cooperation, BIDEN, U.S ., U.S, American, School of International Studies of Nanjing University, Trump, Biden, ”, Associated Press Locations: Asia, Taiwan, East, Europe, U.S, China, Francisco, Beijing, United States, Taiwan . Washington, Iran, Tehran, Israel, American, Hong Kong, Bali , Indonesia, Bali, Washington, ” Beijing, San Francisco

Noticeably missing from the line-up was China’s own defense minister. China would continue to “deepen strategic coordination” with Russia’s military, and it was willing, Zhang added, to develop China-US military relations. Security coordination between China and Russia has tightened in recent years amid rising tensions between each with the US and its allies. The security forum also comes as the US and China are attempting to navigate their contentious relationship that includes frictions over Taiwan and Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea. Its officials have declined American outreach for high level meetings, in what was widely seen as a protest against sanctions Washington placed on former defense minister Li in 2018, prior to his time as defense minister, for weapons purchases from Russia.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Li Shangfu, Xi Jinping, –, Zhang Youxia, ” Zhang, Xi’s, ”, Zhang, Russia’s Shoigu, Shoigu, ” Shoigu, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Li, Wu Qian, ” Wu Organizations: CNN, Russian, Communist Party, Central Military, Global Security, Beijing, Washington, US, Xanthi, Defense Locations: China, Beijing, Moscow, United States, US, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Washington, South, Taiwan, Palestine, Asia, Pacific, South China, Xanthi Carras

☆ Amid Foxconn probe, China tells Taiwan firms to play positive role in ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Foxconn shareholder poses for photos after the annual shareholder meeting in New Taipei City, Taiwan May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Taiwanese companies should assume their social responsibilities and play a "positive role" in promoting the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, China's government said on Wednesday, amid a probe into major Apple supplier Foxconn. "While sharing development benefits and growth dividends on the mainland and achieving rapid development, Taiwan enterprises should also assume corresponding social responsibilities and play a positive role in promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations." China believes Lai, who is leading opinion polls, is a separatist bent on a formal declaration of independence. "As pointed out by the media on the island, Lai Ching-te has now changing from a Taiwan independence maniac to a Taiwan independence liar," she said.

Persons: Ann Wang, Zhu Fenglian, Zhu, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai, Ben Blanchard, Jacqueline Wong, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Apple, Global Times, Taiwan Affairs Office, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, Beijing, Thomson Locations: New Taipei City, Taiwan, Rights BEIJING, Taiwan Strait, China, Beijing

☆ Taiwan Elects Its Own Leaders So Is Already Independent: Presidential Frontrunner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

In an interview with Japanese media, a transcript of which his campaign team released on Friday, Lai was asked on his position on Taiwan independence. Taiwan regularly elects leaders at all levels of government, right from the grassroots up to the president, Lai said. If it is not sovereign and independent, how can there be a presidential election? Therefore, there is no need to declare Taiwan's independence again," he added. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen cannot stand again after two terms in office.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Affairs Office, Kuomintang Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Republic of China, People's Republic of China

☆ Taiwan elects its own leaders so is already independent: presidential frontrunner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai announces his "National Project of Hope" ahead of the upcoming presidential election in Taipei, Taiwan September 6, 2023. In an interview with Japanese media, a transcript of which his campaign team released on Friday, Lai was asked on his position on Taiwan independence. Taiwan regularly elects leaders at all levels of government, right from the grassroots up to the president, Lai said. Therefore, there is no need to declare Taiwan's independence again," he added. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen cannot stand again after two terms in office.

Persons: William Lai, Ann Wang, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: of, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan Affairs Office, Kuomintang, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, Republic of China, People's Republic of China

☆ Taiwan elects its own leaders so it is already independent, presidential frontrunner says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan Vice President and Chairman of ruling Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, William Lai gestures during his speech at the DPP headquarters in Taipei on April 12, 2023. In an interview with Japanese media, a transcript of which his campaign team released on Friday, Lai was asked on his position on Taiwan independence. Taiwan regularly elects leaders at all levels of government, right from the grassroots up to the president, Lai said. If it is not sovereign and independent, how can there be a presidential election? Therefore, there is no need to declare Taiwan's independence again," he added.

Persons: William Lai, Lai Organizations: Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Republic of China

☆ China says aim of its drills near Taiwan is to combat 'arrogance' of separatists
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Solider miniatures are seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration taken, April 11, 2023. "The purpose is to resolutely combat the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces and their actions to seek independence," Zhu said. "The provocation of Taiwan independence continues all day long, and the actions of the People's Liberation Army to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity are always ongoing," she added. "I hope that the majority of Taiwanese compatriots will clearly distinguish between right and wrong, resolutely oppose Taiwan independence, and work with us to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." Taiwan's defence ministry last week also took the unusual step of announcing it was monitoring Chinese drills in Fujian province, opposite Taiwan.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Zhu Fenglian, Zhu, Li Shangfu, Taiwan's, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Himani Sarkar, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan Affairs, People's Liberation Army, Defence, Reuters, Democratic Progressive Party, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Rights BEIJING, Taiwan, Taipei, China, Shandong, Beijing, Fujian

☆ China Says Aim of Its Drills Near Taiwan Is to Combat 'Arrogance' of Separatists
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has said this month that it had observed dozens of fighters, drones, bombers and other aircraft, as well as warships and the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, operating nearby. The increased frequency of China's military activities has raised the risk of events "getting out of hand" and sparking an accidental clash, the island's defence minister said on Saturday. "The purpose is to resolutely combat the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces and their actions to seek independence," Zhu said. "The provocation of Taiwan independence continues all day long, and the actions of the People's Liberation Army to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity are always ongoing," she added. "I hope that the majority of Taiwanese compatriots will clearly distinguish between right and wrong, resolutely oppose Taiwan independence, and work with us to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Persons: Zhu Fenglian, Zhu, Taiwan's, Ben Blanchard, Himani Sarkar, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Taiwan Affairs, People's Liberation Army, Democratic Progressive Party, Beijing Locations: BEIJING, Taiwan, Taipei, China, Shandong, Beijing

☆ China's Wang Yi and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan meet in Malta for 'substantive and constructive' talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

China’s Foreign Ministry said the two sides agreed to continue high-level communication on several fronts, including consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs, maritime affairs, and foreign policy. Biden and Xi last met in November 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali. Military communicationThe two sides also discussed the need to re-establish military-to-military dialogue between the US and China, the senior Biden official said following the weekend meeting. Wang would visit the country between September 18 and 21, China’s Foreign Ministry said Monday. He is expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss “a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues,” according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry last week.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Xi, Biden, Wang, Sullivan, Nancy Pelosi, China’s, ’, Li Shangfu, Li, Qin Gang, Sergey Lavrov, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, China’s, Ministry, Economic Cooperation, Biden, White, US, Party, Foreign Ministry, Chinese Defense, Communist Party, Foreign, Russian, Russian Foreign Ministry, North Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, Malta, Asia, Pacific, Beijing, San Francisco, Bali, Washington, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, ”, Ukraine, Moscow, Pyongyang

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said it spotted 28 Chinese air force planes in its air defence zone on Wednesday morning, part of what Taipei calls regular harassment by Beijing amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's defence ministry said that beginning at around 6 a.m. (2200 GMT Tuesday), Chinese warplanes, including J-10 fighters, had flown into the southwestern corner of the island's air defence identification zone, or ADIZ. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Taiwan's forces monitored the situation, including sending up its own air force planes and activating air defence systems, the ministry added, using the normal phrasing for its response to such Chinese incursions. A Chinese naval formation led by the Shandong entered the western Pacific for training, Taiwan's defence ministry said on Monday.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Christopher Cushing, Christian Schmollinger, Michael Perry, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taipei, Self, Defense Force, Pacific, Reuters, U.S . Navy, U.S, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Rights TAIPEI, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, China, Shandong, Pacific, Miyako, Japan, Miyako Strait, United States, Philippines, Borneo, U.S, Canadian, India, South China, Tokyo

☆ Taiwan says China bolstering air power along coastline facing island
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwanese flags are seen at the Ministry of National Defence of Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan, December 26, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Sept 12 (Reuters) - China is bolstering its air power along the coast facing Taiwan with a permanent deployment of new fighters and drones at expanded air bases, Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday in its biennial report. China staged war games around Taiwan in August of last year and again in April, and its forces operate around the island almost daily. In its National Defence Report, the ministry said China uses "realistic combat training and exercises to strengthen its preparedness against Taiwan". China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Ann Wang, Joe Biden, Huang Wen, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Miral Fahmy, Michael Perry Organizations: Ministry of National Defence, REUTERS, Rights, Beijing, National Defence, Taiwan, Democratic, Taiwan's, Staff, Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Rights TAIPEI, China, United States, Beijing

☆ US, Canadian warships transit Taiwan Strait in latest joint mission
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, Sept 9 (Reuters) - A U.S. and a Canadian warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, the U.S. Navy said, marking the second such joint mission since June and coinciding with the leaders of both countries attending the G20 summit in India. "Ralph Johnson and Ottawa's bilateral transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the U.S. Navy added in a statement. China's military condemned the transit as is usual with such missions, accusing the ships of carrying out "public hyping" in the strait, which separates Chinese-claimed Taiwan from China. Taiwan's defence ministry said the ships sailed in a southerly direction and that it had observed nothing unusual. While U.S. warships transit the strait around once a month, it is unusual for them to do so with those of other allies.

Persons: Ralph Johnson, Canada's, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau, Ben Blanchard, Alexander Smith Organizations: U.S . Navy, Navy's, Fleet, Eastern Theatre Command, Liberation Army, U.S, Canadian, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, U.S, Canadian, Taiwan Strait, India, The U.S, Ottawa, Taiwan, United States, China, New Delhi

☆ US trip pays off for Taiwan VP with China drills more 'thunder than rain'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China has a particular dislike of Lai, the frontrunner in polls ahead of January's presidential election, due to his previous comments about being a "worker for Taiwan independence". In his public events he talked about peace and dialogue, though he also said that Taiwan would not back down in the face of threats. "These drills were a lot of thunder, but less rain." 'NO SURPRISES'Lo Chih-cheng, a senior lawmaker for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said Lai's trip was also about the broader process of showing him to the United States as a steady and trustworthy leader. China could take other, trade-related, steps to punish Taiwan, having previously stopped Taiwanese fruit and fish imports.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Ma Chen, Shen Dingli, Lai Ching, Lo Chih, cheng, Lo, Ko Wen, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, U.S, Liberation Army, National Defence University, United States, Relations, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwanese Public, National Taiwan Normal University's Graduate, of Political, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, U.S, United, Shanghai, Taipei, Beijing, Washington, Asia

☆ China launches drills in angry response to Taiwan vice president's trip to U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. says it's closely monitoring China's drills around Taiwan after Beijing began three days of military exercises around the island. Greg Baker | AFP | Getty ImagesChina launched military drills around Taiwan on Saturday as a "serious warning" to separatist forces in an angry but widely expected response to Vice President William Lai's visit to the United States, drawing condemnation from Taipei. Taiwan's government strongly condemned the drills, with the defense ministry saying it had the ability, determination, and confidence to ensure national security. "The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign country and has a legitimate and legal right to conduct normal diplomatic interactions with friendly countries," it added in a statement, using the island's formal name. Taiwan's defense ministry released a short video of undated footage showing Taiwanese forces at sea, on city streets and across the countryside.

Persons: Greg Baker, William Lai's, Joseph Wu, Joe Biden Organizations: PLA Navy, Beijing, AFP, Getty Images China, Eastern Theatre Command, Mainland Affairs Council, U.S, Taiwan Locations: Taiwan, China's, Fujian, U.S, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Beijing, Republic of China, South Korea, Japan

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, despite the strong objections of the island's government. "This is a serious warning against Taiwan independence separatist forces colluding with external forces to provoke," it said. China has a particular dislike of Lai for his previous comments that he was a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". The United States, like most countries, has no formal ties with Taiwan but is its strongest international backer, bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. China has over the past three years ramped up military pressure on Taiwan, including sending military aircraft and warships near the island.

Persons: William Lai, Nancy Pelosi, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Casey Hall, Ben Blanchard, Greg Torode, William Mallard Organizations: Joint Staff Office, Defense Ministry of Japan, Reuters, Eastern Theatre Command, U.S . House, U.S, Beijing, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Okinawa, Miyako, SHANGHAI, TAIPEI, Taiwan, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Taipei, California, South, Asuncion

Taiwan's constitution states that the Republic of China is a sovereign state, and that has been a consensus shared by all Taiwan's main political parties. The Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who set up the People's Republic. "It is because if he is elected as the leader of Taiwan, he may come to advance his goal of Taiwan independence, which will provoke a crisis across the Taiwan Strait." China's Taiwan Affairs Office said his comments were "weird" and "deceitful" given that his "Taiwan independence nature" had not changed. China has demanded Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to "one China," something Tsai and Lai have refused to do.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Wu Xinbo, Joseph Wu, George Yin, Yin, Tsai's, Lai ., Xi Jinping, Taiwan's, Tsai, Meng Chih, cheng, Ben Blanchard, Sarah Wu, Martin Pollard, Casey, Sonali Paul Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Shanghai's Fudan University, National Taiwan University, Taiwan Affairs Office, Cheng Kung University, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, Taiwanese, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, The Republic of China, Republic, Republic of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai

☆ Explainer: Why is China so angry about the Taiwan vice president's US trip?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Here are the key issues in Taiwan-U.S., China-U.S. and Taiwan-China relations, and why China is so upset about Lai's visit to the United States. Taiwan's official name continues to be the Republic of China, though these days the government often stylises it as the Republic of China (Taiwan). China views Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen as a separatist and has rebuffed repeated calls from her for talks. She says the Republic of China and People's Republic of China are "not subordinate" to each other. Beijing says Tsai must accept that both China and Taiwan are part of "one China".

Persons: William Lai, Xi Jinping, Mao Zedong's, LAI, Lai, Joe Biden, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Ben Blanchard, Kim Coghill Organizations: Lotte, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, CHINA, Communist Party, Democratic, STATES, United States, Taiwan Relations, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, Rights TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Taipei, United States, Paraguay, People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Beijing, TAIWAN, United, Washington, TAIPEI, BEIJING

After months of acrimony, administration officials have recently begun visiting Beijing in a bid to reestablish regular communication. “The most intense, the most focus that I’ve ever seen President Biden is in advance of these engagements with President Xi,” the official said. And the extent to which their personal relationship will impact US-China relations overall has yet to be determined. “This summit is formalizing and institutionalizing a major strategic shift of the region,” explained a third senior administration official. “The Biden administration has always been clear that talking is best, they will keep showing up, and communication is necessary.

Persons: David, Joe Biden, –, Xi Jinping Biden, ” Biden, “, ”, Xi, Biden, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, “ You’re, Hikariko Ono, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, “ Xi, Narendra Modi, ’ Biden, “ I’ve, “ That’s, we’re, “ Biden, Obama, Danny Russel, Camp David, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, John Kerry Organizations: CNN, Korean, Democratic, Foreign Ministry, White House, Biden, State Department, Camp, Japanese, South, ” Locations: China, Utah, Beijing, Bali, US, Tokyo, Seoul, mending, Asia, Sunnylands, Palm, Taiwan, India, San Francisco, Japan, South Korea

Shi said the exercises would test the armed forces’ “ability to fight in real combat conditions.”“The patrols and exercises serve as a stern warning to the collusion of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists with foreign elements and their provocations,” Shi added. China’s ruling Communist Party claims the self-governing, democratic island of Taiwan – despite never having controlled it. The move also comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and China. US President Joe Biden has been hosting the leaders of Japan and South Korea at a trilateral summit undergirded by the three countries’ mutual concern over China. On Tuesday, US-sanctioned defense minister Li Shangfu warned against “playing with fire” when it comes to Taiwan in a veiled jab at the United States when he addressed a security conference in Russia.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Shi Yi, Shi, ’, China’s, Taiwan –, William Lai, Lai, Joe Biden, Li Shangfu, “ Organizations: CNN, Eastern Theater Command, Xinhua, Communist Party, Paraguay – Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, Paraguay, South America, ”, United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia

☆ Taiwan vice president returns from sensitive visit to US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Fabian Hamacher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai speaks to the media upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport as he returns from a trip to the United States and Paraguay, in Taoyuan, Taiwan August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAOYUAN, Taiwan, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Taiwan Vice President William Lai returned on Friday from a sensitive visit to the United States, thanking the Taiwanese people for supporting a trip he said showed the island's "self confidence" venturing into the international community. "Because of everyone's hard work, Taiwan's power is stronger and stronger, and it showed the international community that Taiwan is a force for good, that the international community really pays great attention to Taiwan," he said. China claims Taiwan as its territory and denounced the transit stops in the U.S., calling Lai a separatist and a "troublemaker". "Thank you for your contributions to the country and to society," he said, "allowing Taiwan to very progressively, self confidently and respectfully go into the international community, and winning the support of the international community."

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Tsai Ing, Fabian Hamacher, Chang, Kim, Ben Blanchard, David Gregorio, Lincoln Organizations: Taoyuan International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, American Institute, U.S, Russian, Pacific, East China Seas, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, United States, Paraguay, Taiwan, Rights TAOYUAN, China, U.S, New York, San Francisco, Taipei, Beijing, Okinawa, Miyako, East, Tokyo

☆ 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 presidential frontrunner says no plans to change island's formal name
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The leading candidate to be Taiwan's new president, Vice President William Lai, said in an interview on Tuesday that he has no plans to change the island's formal name, but reiterated that Taiwan is "not subordinate" to China. It is not part of the People's Republic of China," he said in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency. "The current name, according to our constitution, is the Republic of China," Lai said, according to a transcript published by his campaign team. "And in respect to unifying Taiwanese society, President Tsai has used the term Republic of China (Taiwan) to describe our country. President Tsai Ing-wen cannot run again after serving two terms in office.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Mao Zedong's, Tsai, Tsai Ing, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Bloomberg, ROC, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, ROC, Paraguay, Taipei, New York, San Francisco

☆ Taiwan will not back down to threats, Taiwan VP says on US trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Taiwan's Vice President William Lai speaks during a luncheon in New York City, New York, U.S., in this handout picture released on August 14, 2023. Lai told a supporters lunch in New York on Sunday that "if Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful", according to Taiwan's presidential office. China considers Taiwan its most important diplomatic issue, and is a constant source of friction between Beijing and Washington, which is the island's most important international backer and arms supplier. Lai's speech was attended by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, a U.S. government-run non-profit that carries out unofficial relations with Taiwan. China carried out war games around Taiwan in April after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen returned from California where she met U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while also on a transit on her way back from Central America.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Ingrid Larson, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Presidential, REUTERS, American Institute, U.S, Eastern Theatre Command, Liberation Army, Taiwan, Central America, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, Taiwan, REUTERS TAIPEI, Beijing, China, United States, Paraguay, San Francisco, New York, Washington, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, Taipei, California, Central

CNN —Taiwan will never back down in the face of growing threats from China, the island’s vice president and presidential hopeful said Sunday during a transit through the United States, defying Beijing’s condemnation of his trip. William Lai, a front-runner in Taiwan’s presidential race in January, made a stop in New York en route to Paraguay, where he will attend the inauguration of its new president Tuesday. “When Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, and when there is peace on the Taiwan Strait, there will be world peace,” Lai said, according to Taiwan’s presidential office. In March, Taiwan’s President Tsai transited in California and met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, despite warnings and threats from Beijing. Following Tsai’s trip, China launched three days of live-fire military drills around Taiwan.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Taiwan’s, ” Lai, ”, Xi Jinping, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Xi, “, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, US, Democratic Progressive Party, Harvard, Kuomintang, China’s Communist Party, Taiwan’s Locations: Taiwan, China, United States, New York, Paraguay, “, Taiwan Strait, ”, San Francisco, Beijing, California

☆ China condemns visit of 'troublemaker' Taiwan VP to US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Ryan Woo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly denounced Lai's trip, which includes another stopover in San Francisco on Wednesday on his way back to Taipei. In a statement issued shortly after Lai landed in New York on a scheduled flight from Taipei, China's foreign ministry said it opposed any form of visit by "Taiwan independence separatists" to the United States. "Lai stubbornly adheres to the separatist position of Taiwan independence and is a troublemaker through and through," the ministry said. China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan over the past three years, seeking to force the island into accepting Beijing's sovereignty. In April, China staged war games around Taiwan in an angry response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meeting U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California on a stopover on the way back to Taipei following her visit to Central America.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Lai's, Washington's, Laura Rosenberger, Wang Yi, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Ryan Woo, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard, Jamie Freed Organizations: Taoyuan International Airport, REUTERS, Carlos Garcia Rawlins BEIJING, Taiwan, U.S, American Institute, Eastern Theatre Command, Liberation Army, Chinese Foreign, Central America, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, United States, New York, Paraguay, Taiwan, U.S, Beijing, China, San Francisco, Taipei, Taiwan Strait, Washington, California, Central

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