When it was announced in 2023 that the African Union would become a full member of the G20, I darkly joked on a podcast that the AU’s entry into the body could very well mark the moment the G20 lost its status as one of the most important global coordination forums. Mark my words, I said, soon The Economist will be like “Uhhh, the G20 is OVER – it’s the ...
Category: Taiwan
Japan Denies Report That Trump Told PM Not to Provoke China on Taiwan
Japan denied on Thursday a Wall Street Journal report that said U.S. President Donald Trump had advised Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China over Taiwan's sovereignty. The row between Asia's two biggest economies began after Takaichi suggested this month ...
Trump Advises Takaichi Not to Provoke China on Taiwan: WSJ
U.S. President Donald Trump advised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China over Taiwan's sovereignty, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, after a diplomatic spat between Tokyo and Beijing. The row between Asia's two biggest economies was triggered by ...
Taiwan’s President to Propose $40 Billion in Extra Defense Spending
By Joy Chiang Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday his government will propose $40 billion in additional defense spending over eight years, as the democratic island seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion. Taiwan has ...
Japan Warns Citizens in China Over Safety Amid Taiwan Row
Japan has warned its citizens in China to be careful of their surroundings and to avoid big crowds amid a diplomatic row over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan. The escalating spat has already seen Beijing advise Chinese citizens to ...
China Tells Citizens to Avoid Japan Travel as Taiwan Row Grows
By Peter Catterall China has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, following a diplomatic feud sparked by remarks from Tokyo's new premier about a hypothetical attack on Taiwan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ...
China Summons Japanese Ambassador Over PM Taiwan Comments
China said on Friday it summoned the Japanese ambassador over remarks the country's new prime minister made about Taiwan. Last week, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told Japan's parliament that armed attacks on Taiwan could warrant sending troops to support the island ...
Taiwan Leader Vows Stronger Air Defenses to Counter ‘Enemy Threats’
By Amber Wang Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te vowed Friday to speed up construction of a multi-layered air defense system as part of efforts to counter "enemy threats." Lai's government has been under U.S. pressure to ...
Pacific Leaders Agree New Summit Rules After China, Taiwan Bans
By Ben Strang Pacific Island leaders agreed on Friday to a new framework that would allow nations to join a key regional forum as strategic partners, after accusations that China was influencing regional decision-making. The ...
Betting on Beijing: How a Diplomatic Switch Sank Honduras’s Shrimp Exports
In 2023, Honduras severed ties with Taiwan and recognized China, betting that access to one of the world’s largest markets would bring new prosperity. The move was hailed by President Xiomara Castro’s government as a strategic step toward bigger trade deals and deeper economic cooperation.
Marcos Says Philippines Would Be Dragged ‘Kicking and Screaming’ Into Taiwan War
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos warned Monday that his country would be dragged "kicking and screaming" into any war over Taiwan, but must prepare for it. China considers self-ruled Taiwan, Manila's closest neighbor to the north, to be part of its territory ...
Solomon Islands Bars China and Taiwan From Top Pacific Summit
Pacific nation Solomon Islands has said it would exclude non-member nations from a key regional summit in September, a group that includes China, Taiwan, and the United States. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said earlier this week he would defer a meeting ...
Taipei Holds Air Raid Drill to Prepare for Chinese Attack
By Joy Chiang and Amber Wang Taipei came to a brief standstill on Thursday when air raid sirens forced people off the streets and into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack. The ...