Taiwan is building a next-generation anti-submarine frigate while stepping up tests of its indigenous submarine amid a rising strategic debate over how best to balance its traditional and unconventional warfighting capabilities.  This month, Naval News reported that Taiwan has begun construction on a new light frigate for the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) with a […]

The post Taiwan torn on best naval way to repel a China invasion appeared first on Asia Times.

Chinese officials tout “Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy” as “epoch-making” and praise the “great insight” of Xi’s “Global Security Initiative.” When it comes to Taiwan, however, Xi appears stuck with a misguided and failing policy as underscored by the results of the island’s January 13 elections.  China’s policy holds that Taiwan must subordinate itself to the […]

The post Xi’s Taiwan rhetoric backfired at the ballot box appeared first on Asia Times.

China has vowed to sanction Lockheed Martin, the world’s and America’s largest defense contractor, for a fifth time after Washington approved on December 16 a US$300 million arms deal that will link Taiwan’s tactical information system with that of NATO allies. The new system will help improve Taiwan’s command, control, communications and computer (C4) capabilities […]

The post China opens fire on Lockheed for arming up Taiwan appeared first on Asia Times.

A restoration of high-level official meetings between US and People’s Republic of China (PRC) leaders following the spy balloon crisis of February 2023 has fueled cautious optimism that US-China relations are improving.  The most important event in this purported “thaw” was the meeting between Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in California […]

The post Taiwan still flashing red despite US-China ‘thaw’ appeared first on Asia Times.

China’s military maneuvers near Taiwan are becoming bigger and bolder. In a single day in September, the Chinese air force sent more than 100 warplanes into the island’s southwestern “air defense identification zone” and across the midline of the Taiwan Strait – the largest incursion in history. This followed large-scale naval drills involving an aircraft carrier sailing to the […]

The post Why Xi’s not likely itching for a Taiwan war appeared first on Asia Times.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and Navy have sent dozens of aircraft and vessels to the Taiwan Strait after the United States and the Canadian navies sailed two warships through the region last Saturday (September 9).  In the 24 hours leading up to 6 am on Tuesday Taiwan time, at least 22 aircraft […]

The post PLA claims US stirring Ukraine-like ‘proxy war’ for Taiwan appeared first on Asia Times.

US defense strategists warn that China may use the distraction of the war in Ukraine to launch military action against Taiwan. They believe Chinese President Xi Jinping is determined to gain control over the breakaway province – which has been beyond Beijing’s control since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 – […]

The post Ukraine war giving China pause on Taiwan appeared first on Asia Times.

China has upped the ante on its military pressure on Taiwan, intensifying military drills east of the self-governing island to prepare for a blockade aimed at forcing eventual reunification. This month, Nikkei reported that China has dramatically increased military drills simulating a blockade of Taiwan since former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island last […]

The post China ups military ante on Taiwan’s eastern flank appeared first on Asia Times.

The major political parties in Taiwan have now selected their presidential candidates, kicking off the campaign season that will culminate in combined presidential and legislative elections on January 13, 2024. For cross-Strait relations, this election may be the most significant in history. China is becoming militarily capable of attempting a forcible annexation of Taiwan, and Beijing […]

The post Fateful demise of the Taiwan-China ’92 Consensus appeared first on Asia Times.

China is ramping up its propaganda machine against Taiwan’s annual live-fire Hang Kuang Exercise scheduled for late this month, a bold show of force against Beijing’s stated “reunification” plans for the self-governing island. This month, Reuters quoted several Taiwanese officials claiming that at least a dozen news reports from Chinese state media had framed Taiwan’s […]

The post China stoking incendiary doubt US would save Taiwan appeared first on Asia Times.