Showing posts with label Taiwan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taiwan. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

U.S. defense startups are flocking to Taiwan to develop drones

Xi Jinping is probably not happy!

"Taiwan’s government spurred a gold rush in August when it allocated over $7 billion to spend on drones over the next six years. U.S. startups working with Taiwan on sea and air drones range from small defense-tech firms to Anduril Industries, an arms supplier to the Pentagon and the Taiwan military whose drone contracts with Taipei have already passed the $1 billion mark. At least 13 U.S.-Taiwan collaboration agreements have been signed since September 2025."

The Wall Street Journal What's news

Friday, August 28, 2026

Taiwan’s legislature approved to spend $7 billion on drones over the next six years

If you want peace, prepare for war!

Why does the Communist Party of China not offer to introduce a multi party system, separation of power and democracy in China and then after implementation ask Taiwan for a peaceful reunification?

"... By building out a domestic military drone supply chain, the island hopes to deter an attack by China. Taiwanese military planners took inspiration from Ukraine’s success in building asymmetric warfare capabilities."

The Wall Street Journal What's news

Taiwan Lines Up $7 Billion Boost for Drone Builders to Counter China (behind paywall) "Funding aims to support a homegrown industry seen as vital to island’s defense"

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Taiwan is developing a hypersonic missile interceptor for its T-Dome

Good news!

"Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) revealed details of a hypersonic missile interceptor that could be central to the proposed T-Dome air defense concept. ... 
NCSIST said the Chiang Kung, also known as the Tien Kung IV (Sky Bow IV), would use a land-based mobile vertical launch system to fire interceptor missiles at up to hypersonic speeds to intercept ballistic missiles at “mid-level” altitudes — up to 70 km, according to an unnamed defense official, which is a major improvement on the Tien Kung III missile’s maximum altitude of 45 km.
Each launcher can hold four missiles at a time. The missile will use a two-stage solid-fuel rocket to propel the warhead and thrust-vector control to maneuver it at high altitudes. The Chiang Kung system includes a mobile active electronically scanned array radar vehicle co-developed by Taiwan and the United States, which can classify, track, and engage multiple tactical ballistic missiles while being resistant to electronic jamming.

The Chiang Kung will form the outermost layer of the multilayered T-Dome integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) concept ..."

China & Taiwan Update, August 25, 2026 | American Enterprise Institute - AEI

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

China’s Escalating Cyberattacks Threaten Taiwan’s National Security

Serious stuff! China is a bully! 

Hong Kong was already invaded/taken over illegally by the Communist Party of China after the Basic Law became effective in 1997!

Why does Taiwan not offer reunification under the condition that China becomes  like a Western democracy?

"Amid intensifying cross-Strait tensions, Taiwan is among the world’s most frequent targets of cyberattacks, predominantly attributed to Chinese state-backed hackers. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB)  has assessed that infrastructure on the island experienced a daily average of 2.63 million cyberattacks in 2025, more than double that of 2023. Energy, emergency rescue, hospitals, and communications infrastructure were the sectors that faced the most significant increases in the number of attacks in 2025, as compared to the previous year.  ..."

China’s Escalating Cyberattacks Threaten Taiwan’s National Security | Global Taiwan Institute

Monday, August 03, 2026

Philippines cannot remain neutral in a conflict between the PRC and Taiwan, China is a bully

Good news! The Philippines are taking a stand in favor of Taiwan, but not a firm one! But the Philippines recognize China as a regional bully!

"The Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said in a July 24 interview with One News PH that the Philippines cannot remain neutral in a conflict between the PRC and Taiwan, representing one of the strongest Philippine commitments to Taiwan yet. Teodoro stated that his reasoning for this statement was rooted in the fact that many Filipino citizens live in Taiwan and that any PRC action against Taiwan will likely involve the Bashi Channel in the northern Philippines. Teodoro said that the PRC would also try to blockade parts of the Pacific Ocean, which would affect other countries.

Teodoro’s comments are a public assertion of the Philippine government’s stance on “the Taiwan issue” amidst fraying relations with the PRC. ..."

China & Taiwan Update, July 31, 2026 | American Enterprise Institute - AEI

Friday, July 24, 2026

Over 140 U.S. living billionaires are immigrants. Only 9 live in Texas.

Texas Governor Abbott is not doing enough to attract billionaires? Just kidding!

"... There were 144 foreign-born billionaires living in the United States in 2026, worth more than $2.2 trillion collectively, Forbes found, compared with 125 immigrant billionaires in 2025 and 92 in 2022. ..."

"... For the second straight year, India is the birthplace of the most immigrant billionaires, with a record 19. That’s up from 12 a year ago thanks to new entrants including venture capitalist Hemant Taneja, semiconductor firm Astera Labs’ cofounders Sanjay Gajendra and Jitendra Mohan, and Palantir's chief technology officer, Shyam Sankar. It’s the only country, in fact, that produced more than one newcomer this year, on top of welcoming five last year. Israel and Taiwan once again follow with 11 apiece. ..."

The richest immigrant billionaires in Texas, according to Forbes






Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Taiwan alleges ex-TSMC staff stole chip secrets to sell to China

Bad news! Sounds familiar!

"Taiwanese prosecutors on Monday indicted a former TSMC deputy manager for allegedly stealing trade secrets involving national core technologies with the intent of using them to advance China's chip ambitions. ..."

Taiwan alleges ex-TSMC staff stole chip secrets to sell to China - Nikkei Asia "Indictment is first under National Security Act involving attempt to advance Chinese chip ambitions"

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Taiwan's No. 2 chipmaker UMC starts photonic chip production in Singapore

TSMC is not alone! UMC = United Microelectronics Corporation

Like TSMC, UMC also expands production in foreign countries.

Taiwan's No. 2 chipmaker UMC starts photonic chip production in Singapore - Nikkei Asia "Optical tech combined with chip packaging seen as next-generation growth driver"

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Treating Taipei’s Homeless with a Policy of Compassion

Taiwan is not all technology and business!

"Taipei Main Station is a destination that wears many hats. Aside from being the largest land and rail transport hub for Northern Taiwan, it is also a critical space for the city’s unhoused population – where many gather, keep their belongings, and settle down.

Official statistics show there are about 3,000 homeless people, also known as “street friends” (街友), across Taiwan: 620 of them are said to be living in Taipei, a similar number may be found in neighboring New Taipei City, and the rest can be found dispersed in urban centers across the country. Social workers say most of the unhoused are male, with an average age of 60. Many, but certainly not all, are single and unmarried.

Despite this, Taipei’s aid workers believe the actual figure is much higher, since the official statistics only cover those who fit the government’s definition of a homeless person: someone who “sleep(s) on the streets or in any public area.” Additionally, non-government groups like Homeless Taiwan state that the number does not consider “rough sleepers,” or persons who have a permanent address but sleep in shelters, institutions, internet cafes, or couch-surf in the homes of friends or relatives. 

Non-government groups like Salt Collectiv, which runs feeding programs around Taipei Main Station, say the homeless are mostly concentrated in three areas: in and around Taipei Main Station, at Bangka Park (艋舺公園) near Taipei’s Longshan Temple (龍山寺), and in the neighboring Wanhua district (萬華區). The areas are so well known they attract recruiters who often go to designated spots to find people willing to undertake low-paid, casual work.

Allowing homeless people to settle in high-traffic, high-visibility areas confounds both tourists and commuters ..."

Treating Taipei’s Homeless with a Policy of Compassion | Global Taiwan Institute

More than Just Trade: Taiwan’s Investment Boom in the United States

Good news! This is mind boggling!

"... an investment agreement signed in January between the United States and Taiwan. The deal promises $250 billion in Taiwanese private-sector investment and up to $250 billion in government-backed credit guarantees in the United States. ...

Taiwan was the United States fourth-largest trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade totaling approximately USD 256 billion. Four years prior, Taiwan was America’s eleventh-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade barely exceeding USD 100 billion.
Now, Taiwan is the United States fourth-largest source of imports (USD 201 billion), and the tenth-largest export market (USD 55 billion). This large volume of trade has led the United States to become Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner for over a decade. ...

While discussion of Taiwanese investment understandably focuses on TSMC, there are also a growing number of companies across a wide range of industries trying to expand into the American market. ..."

More than Just Trade: Taiwan’s Investment Boom in the United States | Global Taiwan Institute

TSMC plans further $100bn US investment to feed AI demand (latest news) "Taiwanese chipmaker raises full-year capex to $64bn, revenue growth forecast to 40%"

Wednesday, July 01, 2026

Taiwan Passes Crucial Crypto Law With Licensing Rules, Stablecoin Framework

Good news!

"Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan approved the Virtual Asset Service Act in its third reading on Tuesday, the island’s first comprehensive framework for the crypto sector. Lawmakers sent the bill to President Lai Ching-te, who is expected to sign it into law within ten days.

The act establishes a licensing regime for all virtual asset service providers in Taiwan and hands broad oversight to the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC). Under the law, crypto businesses must secure FSC approval before operating in Taiwan. The framework covers seven categories of providers, including exchanges, trading platforms, transfer firms, custodians, underwriters and lending services. ..."

Taiwan Passes Crucial Crypto Law With Licensing Rules, Stablecoin Framework "Taiwan passed its first comprehensive crypto law, creating a licensing regime for virtual asset firms, establishing stablecoin rules, and imposing penalties of up to seven years in prison for unlicensed operations, as the island moves to formalize and expand its digital asset industry."

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Ferry connecting Taiwan with Japan's Ishigaki island set for maiden voyage

Good news! It is stunning how geographically close some of Japanese islands are to Taiwan. It is a Japanese island chain that stretches almost from mainland Japan all the way to Taiwan.

Get on board if you can! 😊

Ferry connecting Taiwan with Japan's Ishigaki set for maiden voyage - Nikkei Asia "Service expected to buoy high tourist flows, strengthen ties in tense region"







Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Nvidia spending up to $150bn a year on Taiwan AI suppliers: Jensen Huang

A stunning headline!

"Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared Taiwan the heart of the AI revolution. He believes the island will be a global technology manufacturing center for years. Huang announced plans for Nvidia's new Taiwan headquarters. Groundbreaking is set for this year. The facility is expected to be operational by 2030. This marks a significant future investment. ...

""Four ⁠years ago, ⁠five years ago, Nvidia was spending about $10, $15 billion dollars a ​year in Taiwan. Now we're spending $100, going to $150 billion dollars in ​Taiwan each year," ..."

Nvidia spending up to $150bn a year on Taiwan AI suppliers: Jensen Huang - Nikkei Asia "CEO says company will quadruple hiring in AI 'epicenter' to 4,000"

Monday, May 04, 2026

Taiwan’s President Makes Daring Africa Trip to Eswatini, Defying Chinese Airspace Blocks

Good news!

Communist China should be reunited with democratic Taiwan not the other way around. It should be a peaceful and voluntary reunification. Germany was reunited in 1990.

"The Chinese Communist government exerted pressure last month on the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar to revoke flight permits for Lai’s presidential aircraft, making it all but impossible for the Taiwanese president to reach Eswatini’s airspace. 

Lai canceled his trip on April 21, denouncing China’s “economic coercion,” but on Saturday he managed to bypass the Chinese blockade by taking an unannounced flight on an Eswatini aircraft. ...

Eswatini is one of just 12 remaining countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The island’s other diplomatic partners were systematically peeled away by Beijing in an aggressive campaign that began after the election of Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, in 2016. ..."

Taiwan’s President Lands in Eswatini, Defying Chinese Airspace Blocks "Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini on Saturday, defiantly proclaiming Taiwan’s right to engage with friends and allies despite intensive efforts from China to block his trip."






Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Higher Oil prices? China mysteriously reduced warplane activity near Taiwan over the past three weeks

Good news! 😊 Maybe a welcome relief for Taiwan!

" Could it be high fuel prices, or a desire to avoid upsetting U.S. President Donald Trump? What about China’s annual political confab in early March? Analysts have offered different explanations for a recent trend: a net reduction in daily Chinese fighter plane activity near Taiwan over the past three weeks. ..."

Oil prices, fear of Trump? China mysteriously reduced warplane activity near Taiwan

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Taiwan’s Kuomintang leader to visit mainland China to aid ‘peaceful’ relations

Good news? This seems to be a little bit unusual?

"Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT), will lead a delegation to mainland China next month at the invitation of Beijing, her first visit since assuming the position in November."

Breaking | Taiwan’s Kuomintang leader to visit mainland China to aid ‘peaceful’ relations: Beijing | South China Morning Post "Cheng Li-wun invited to visit Jiangsu province, Shanghai and Beijing next month"

Phoebe Zhangin Shenzhen, Published: 10:47am, 30 Mar 2026


Saturday, March 28, 2026

Die USA verzetteln sich im Iran: Greift China jetzt nach Taiwan? Wirklich!

Eine interessant klingende Spekulation, aber wohl nur eine Spekulation!

Je nachdem wie stark und intensiv die Taiwaner ihre Insel verteidigen würde es für China sehr blutig werden!

Peking schweigt zu Iran: Greift China jetzt Taiwan an | FAZ "Wirtschaftlich ist Peking bestens auf die neue Ölkrise vorbereitet und beobachtet den US-Angriff auf seinen Partner Iran auffälllig still. Was bedeutet das für die Sicherheitsarchitektur in Asien?"

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Taiwan and Europe's Expanding Defense Technology Collaboration

Good news, but EU member countries were cowards in the past!

"In stark contrast to the discourse in the United States, there have been very few open conversations between Europe and Taiwan regarding defense spending or arms acquisitions. While the United States is actively exerting pressure on Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan ... to pass a national defense budget that will incorporate a USD 11.1 billion arms package, European countries have retained a cautious, low-profile stance on the matter. This is likely due to the diplomatic and economic pressure that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has historically exerted on Europe’s middle powers.
For example, in the 1980s, the PRC downgraded diplomatic relations with the Netherlands in response to the latter’s decision to sell two submarines to Taiwan. Reluctant to disrupt relations with such a large trading partner, the Dutch government solemnly agreed that it would refrain from further arms sales to Taiwan in the future.
In 1991 and 1992, France sold six naval frigates and 60 Mirage jets to Taiwan. In retaliation, Beijing closed the French Consulate-General in Guangzhou and publicly urged France to withdraw from the sale. France has not sold Taipei any other major weapons systems since.

As a result of Beijing’s coercion, three decades have passed since Europe supplied Taipei with any big-ticket defense items." (Source [I can not reach this Taiwanese web page from within China. Presumably, blocked by the Chinese Great Firewall.])

Monday, March 23, 2026

Oil prices, fear of Trump? China mysteriously reduced warplane activity near Taiwan

Good news! A welcome break for Taiwan!

"Could it be high fuel prices, or a desire to avoid upsetting U.S. President Donald Trump? What about China’s annual political confab in early March? Analysts have offered different explanations for a recent trend: a net reduction in daily Chinese fighter plane activity near Taiwan over the past three weeks. ...

Since the start of March, the Taiwanese defense ministry logged as few as two PLA aircraft sorties on three days since March 7, down from usually a dozen or more per day before March. ..."

Oil prices, fear of Trump? China mysteriously reduced warplane activity near Taiwan

Sunday, February 22, 2026

China has promised to eliminate tariffs on imports from every African country except Eswatini

Have you ever heard of Eswatini (former official name Swaziland in southern Africa, population about 1.3 million)?

The Scramble for Africa continues!

Will Eswatini cave in to Chinese pressure?

"China already has a zero-tariff policy for imports from 33 African countries, but Beijing said last year it would extend the policy to all 53 of its diplomatic partners on the continent…

From May 1, zero levies will apply to all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan.” ..."

China to Scrap Tariffs for Most of Africa from May - Human Progress


Flag of Eswatini