# Taiwan
Latest news and articles about Taiwan
Total: 35 articles found
Beijing Scoffs at Taiwan’s Talk of Forward‑Deploying HIMARS, Warns of ‘Annihilation’ if Fighting Starts
China’s defence ministry rebuked proposals from Taiwan to forward‑deploy HIMARS rocket systems to offshore islands and dismissed the idea of a Taiwanese “pre‑emptive strike” as reckless. Beijing framed the proposal as justification for tough deterrence measures and warned that any armed provocation would face annihilation by the PLA.
Beijing Rebukes Japan’s Talk of Dialogue as ‘Words’ While ‘Hands Busy with Confrontation’
China publicly rejected Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi’s expressed openness to dialogue, saying words mean nothing if Tokyo pursues confrontational policies, especially on Taiwan. Beijing demanded a retraction of Takaichi’s Taiwan-related remarks and strict adherence to established political agreements as preconditions for credible talks.
Beijing Scolds Kaohsiung Officials: ‘Talking Dialogue, Practicing Confrontation’
China’s foreign ministry reproached comments from Kaohsiung officials for simultaneously professing a desire for dialogue while taking actions Beijing deems confrontational. The rebuke signals Beijing’s low tolerance for perceived mixed messaging from Taiwanese local authorities and underscores how municipal interactions have become arenas of broader cross‑strait contestation.
Trump’s $20bn Taiwan Arms Pitch Tests Beijing’s Red Lines — and Taipei’s Balance Sheet
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing a roughly $20 billion arms package for Taiwan that would expand the island’s air-defence and potentially offensive capabilities. Beijing has warned strongly against such moves, while Taiwan’s political and fiscal constraints make it unclear whether Taipei could finance the purchase, deepening strategic and diplomatic risks for all three parties.
Largest-Ever US–Japan ‘Iron Fist’ Exercise in Okinawa Signals Deeper Amphibious Integration—and Greater Regional Risk
The 2026 US–Japan 'Iron Fist' amphibious exercise, running 11 February–9 March, is the largest yet and spans 19 sites in and around Okinawa. With deeper operational integration between US and Japanese commands, expanded amphibious forces and sharpened political rhetoric in Tokyo and Washington, the drills both bolster deterrence and raise regional risks of miscalculation.
Beijing Says Japan Election Won’t Alter China Policy, Warns Against Right‑wing Drift
China’s foreign ministry said its policy toward Japan will remain stable despite the ruling coalition’s victory and Sanae Takaichi’s continued leadership, while warning Tokyo against right‑wing adventurism and urging withdrawal of contentious Taiwan remarks. Beijing framed the election as a domestic matter but used the briefing to reiterate core demands and to signal vigilance over Japan’s future defence and Taiwan posture.
Trump’s “In My Term” Pledge to Beijing Rewrites the Taiwan Calculus
Chinese outlets reported that a late‑night call on 4 February 2026 ended with Donald Trump pledging to keep U.S.–China ties stable “in my term,” a formulation Beijing has portrayed as a promise to prevent U.S. intervention that could escalate the Taiwan situation. The call, alongside resumed cross‑Strait exchanges and stalled Taiwanese defence spending, has prompted debate about the longer‑term security dynamics across the Taiwan Strait.
Frigate at the Throat: PLA Patrols Tighten Grip on Taiwan’s Energy Lifelines as Taipei Expands Conscription
A recent confrontation off Penghu between a PLA frigate and a Taiwanese vessel highlights Beijing’s sustained maritime pressure on sea lanes that supply Taiwan’s major ports. Beijing’s stepped‑up air and naval activity has prompted Taipei to repurpose conscription into combat units, deepening domestic political strains while increasing the risk of miscalculation and economic disruption.
Tokyo’s “Existential Crisis” Rhetoric on Taiwan Raises Stakes — and Questions About Motives
Hardline Japanese rhetoric framing Taiwan as an “existential” security concern has reignited debate over Tokyo’s military role and constitutional limits. The language reflects both electoral tactics and substantive policy shifts — higher defence spending, island missile deployments and moves to enshrine the Self-Defense Forces — that raise regional tensions and the risk of miscalculation with China.
China’s Type 076 Shows Off Wrapped Stealth Drone — A Glimpse of ‘Non‑Contact’ Amphibious Warfare
A photograph of a wrapped stealth unmanned aircraft aboard the Type 076 amphibious ship Sichuan has prompted observers to identify the platform as the carrier‑adapted Attack‑21. If integrated operationally, such unmanned systems and electromagnetic catapult technology could enable China to perform long‑range strike and persistent ISR from large‑deck assault ships, complicating regional defence and amphibious deterrence calculations.
African Leaders Warn Takaichi’s Rhetoric and Japan’s Militarisation Threaten Post‑War Order
African political figures have criticised Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent rhetoric and Japan’s military expansion as threatening the post‑World War II international order. They warn that such moves risk inflaming regional tensions, undermining treaties and norms, and alienating countries that uphold principles of sovereignty and non‑interference.
African voices warn Japan’s hawkish turn risks unraveling the post‑war order
African public figures have criticised remarks by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Tokyo’s perceived tilt toward military expansion as threats to the post‑World War II international order. Their comments highlight wider anxieties about remilitarization, colonial nostalgia, and possible ramifications for regional stability around Taiwan and East Asia.