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
Why Honduras’ Presidential Election Matters for China and Taiwan
More than three weeks after elections were held, Honduras still does not have a new president. Nasry Asfura of the conservative National Party leads by a narrow margin, with roughly 43,000 more votes than his closest competitor, Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party. ...
China Launches Military Drills Simulating Blockade of Taiwan Ports
By Peter Catterall with Joy Chiang in Taipei China launched live-fire drills around Taiwan on Monday that it said would simulate a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports, prompting Taipei to condemn Beijing's "military intimidation."
Panama’s Diplomatic Tightrope: One China, Beijing’s Red Lines, and the Politics of a Taiwan Trip
On November 13, 2025, amid reports of a possible visit by members of Panama’s National Assembly to Taiwan, the president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino tweeted that such a trip did not have the support or approval of his government. The tweet triggered a chain of ...
U.S. Approves $11 Billion in Arms Sales to Taiwan: Taipei
Washington has approved $11 billion-worth of arms to Taiwan, Taipei said Thursday, announcing one of the largest weapons packages for the island as it seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion. While Washington is traditionally Taiwan's biggest arms supplier, remarks by ...
Taiwan Eyes Fresh Diplomatic Ties With Honduras
By Allison Jackson and Amber Wang with Joan Suazo in Tegucigalpa Taiwanese seafood trader Jay Yen used to import 2,000 tonnes of shrimp a year from Honduras before the Central American country cut diplomatic ties with the democratic island in 2023. ...
PM Takaichi Says Japan ‘Always Open’ to Dialogue With China
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday she is "always open" to dialogue with China despite a diplomatic row between Tokyo and Beijing over comments she made about Taiwan. "China is an important neighbour for Japan, and we need to ...
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 ...