News

2 dead, 6 missing after high-seas brawl on Taiwan fishing boat

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Feb 21 08:49 PM

Two crew members have been confirmed dead and six are missing after a deadly brawl broke out on board a Taiwanese fishing vessel in a remote area of the Indian Ocean.   Read more »

Taiwan unveils long-awaited gay marriage bill

Agence France-Presse
Updated as of Feb 21 06:38 PM

Taiwan is seen as one of the most progressive societies in Asia when it comes to gay rights, and it stages the biggest gay pride parade in Asia annually. Read more »

Taiwan says will not accept any deal that destroys democracy

Yimou Lee, Reuters
Posted at Feb 20 03:45 PM

China claims self-ruled and proudly democratic Taiwan as its own  Read more »

Their version of longest holiday

Tyrone Siu, Reuters
Posted at Feb 19 11:33 PM

eople release sky lanterns to celebrate the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, marking the end of the Lunar New Year. Read more »

US warships pass through Taiwan Strait amid China tensions

Reuters
Posted at Jan 26 03:08 AM

TAIPEI - The United States sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday in the first such operation this year, the Taiwan government said, as it increases the frequency of transits through the strategic waterway to the concern of China. Read more »

Taiwan steps up probe into surveillance by pro-China media on island

Yimou Lee and James Pomfret, Reuters
Posted at Jan 18 02:49 PM

TAIPEI/HONG KONG - Taiwan will step up its investigation of pro-Beijing newspapers accused by politicians on the self-ruled island of spreading fake news and surveillance activities that infringe national security, a security official said on Friday. Read more »

U.S. Navy chief does not rule out sending aircraft carrier through Taiwan Strait

Tim Kelly, Reuters
Posted at Jan 18 01:40 PM

TOKYO - The U.S. Navy has not ruled out sending an aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait, despite military technology advances by China that pose a greater threat to U.S. warships than ever before, the chief of U.S. naval operations said on Friday. Read more »

US eyes Taiwan risk as China's military capabilities grow

Phil Stewart, Reuters
Posted at Jan 16 07:51 AM

The United States is closely watching Chinese intentions toward Taiwan, concerned that Beijing's growing military prowess may increase the risk it could one day consider bringing the self-ruled island under its control by force, a US official said on Tuesday. Read more »

Taiwan arrests BASF engineers for 'leaking tech' to China

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Jan 07 08:44 PM

Six former and current engineers for German chemicals giant BASF have been arrested in Taiwan on suspicion of leaking valuable technology to a competitor in China, authorities said Monday. Read more »

PH won’t meddle in China-Taiwan tiff - Palace

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jan 07 01:36 PM

MANILA - The Philippines is not inclined to meddle in the increasingly tense rhetoric between China and Taiwan, a Palace spokesperson said, after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on its democratic allies to help defend its sovereignty. Read more »

Taiwan president urges democratic allies for protection from China

Amber Want, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Jan 05 05:39 PM

Tsai Ing-wen called on allies to help defend its sovereignty, accusing China of waging a "deliberate campaign" to undermine the island's democracy. Read more »

Taiwan president calls for international support to defend democracy

Reuters
Posted at Jan 05 01:06 PM

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on Saturday for international support to defend the self-ruled island's democracy and way of life in the face of renewed threats from China. Read more »

China's Xi calls on army to be battle-ready

Reuters
Posted at Jan 05 11:30 AM

China's armed forces must strengthen their sense of urgency and do everything they can to prepare for battle, President Xi Jinping told a meeting of top brass on Friday. Read more »

Taiwan reunification with China 'inevitable': Xi

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Jan 02 01:52 PM

Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own currency, political and judicial systems, but has never declared formal independence from the mainland.  Read more »

Donations flood in for Taiwan driver who smashed into 3 Ferraris

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Dec 20 05:58 PM

TAIPEI - An exhausted Taiwanese delivery driver who smashed into three Ferraris has been inundated with donations after his plight and eye-watering repair bill sparked a deluge of public sympathy. Read more »

Everyone's a winner in Taiwan's claw crane craze

Sean Chang, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Dec 12 07:42 PM

As Taiwan's economy stagnates, claw crane arcades where customers lower a grabber to try to pick up a prize from a glass box are booming as affordable entertainment, while operators see them as a way to make a fast buck. Read more »

Taiwan to enact separate law on gay marriage

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Nov 30 06:04 PM

TAIPEI - Taiwan will enact a separate law for same-sex unions after conservative groups won a recent referendum battle, the premier said, as LGBT activists Friday urged the government to abide by a landmark ruling to offer equal marriage rights.  Read more »

US Navy ships sail through Taiwan Strait

Agence France-Presse
Updated as of Nov 29 08:41 AM

Two US Navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, the third such operation this year and one that is sure to anger China.   Read more »

Hong Kong rattled as magnitude 5.7 quake hits off Taiwan

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Nov 26 11:53 AM

The quake hit around 100 kilometers (60 miles) off the island of Penghu in the Taiwan Strait on Monday morning. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Read more »

Taiwan rebukes ruling party, emboldens China-friendly opposition

Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard, Reuters
Posted at Nov 25 02:04 PM

TAIPEI - Voters in Taiwan have delivered a strong rebuke to the island's pro-independence ruling party in local elections, emboldening the China-friendly opposition, one of whose main figures says he will now reach out to Beijing to forge more friendly ties.  Read more »