# Taiwan
Latest news and articles about Taiwan
Total: 35 articles found
Slovak Lawmaker Criticises Japan’s Takaichi as Threatening One‑China Consensus and Regional Stability
Michal Bartek, vice‑chair of Slovakia’s parliamentary Defence and Security Committee, condemned remarks by Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi as irresponsible and dangerous for challenging the One China principle. He warned that confrontational rhetoric risks destabilising East Asia and reflects Tokyo’s growing alignment with Washington at the expense of regional and economic interests.
A Costly Gamble: Japan’s Takaichi Retreats After US Demand for Bigger Defence Bill
Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, quietly scaled back hawkish rhetoric after a visit from a senior US defence official who urged Tokyo to boost defence spending toward 5% of GDP. The encounter exposed the strain between Washington’s demand for greater burden‑sharing and Japan’s domestic politics, while Beijing’s export controls and military pressure limit Tokyo’s room for manoeuvre.
Taiwan’s Prototype Submarine Makes First Dive Amid Cost, Delay and Public Skepticism
Taiwan’s domestically built submarine prototype, Hai Kun, conducted its first submerged test on 29 January, initiating a staged programme that begins with a 50-metre dive and aims for 200 metres eventually. The milestone comes after a series of technical problems, schedule delays and public criticism over costs and performance, leaving the vessel still some way from operational readiness.
Taiwan’s Home‑built Submarine Misses First Dive in Sixth Sea Trial, Delaying Delivery Hopes
Taiwan’s domestically built submarine Hai Kun underwent its sixth sea trial on January 26 but did not complete a first dive, conducting instead a complex pre‑dive systems verification. The programme has been delayed from original schedules, with Taipei imposing contractual fines on the builder as it seeks an accelerated delivery later this year.
Beijing Slams Taiwan’s ‘High‑Risk’ App List as Politicised Move in Cross‑Strait Tech Tug‑of‑War
Taiwan’s digital authority published an advisory list of “high‑risk” apps — including Douyin, Weibo, WeChat, Xiaohongshu and Baidu Cloud — aimed at protecting minors and flagging cybersecurity concerns. Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office condemned the move as politically motivated, underscoring how digital‑safety measures are being interpreted through fraught cross‑strait politics and raising questions about business, youth behaviour and influence.
Beijing Rebukes Japan’s Sanae Takaichi, Says Tokyo Has ‘No Right’ to Intervene in Taiwan
China’s foreign ministry publicly rejected Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo and Washington could act together in the event of a Taiwan Strait crisis, saying Japan has "no right" to interfere. Beijing invoked post‑war treaties and historical grievances to frame Tokyo’s remarks as irresponsible and a threat to regional stability.
Delayed Dive: Taiwan’s Indigenous Submarine Finally Submerges, But Major Tests and Integration Problems Remain
Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine, the Haikun, completed its first submerged trial on 26 January 2026 after extensive delays caused mainly by integration problems between its platform management system and onboard sensors and weapons. Remaining snorkel, shallow and deep-depth trials mean full delivery is unlikely before mid-2026, prolonging pressures on Taiwan’s defence modernisation and deterrence posture.
Beijing Signals 'Decapitation' as an Option for Taiwan — A New Escalation in Cross‑Strait Posturing
Beijing’s defence ministry has publicly framed targeted strikes against Taiwan’s leadership as an available option, an unprecedented rhetorical escalation that follows a US cross‑border special operations episode. The move aims to deter secessionist moves, complicate allied intervention calculus, and has prompted regional hedging such as Singapore’s proposed contingency troop withdrawal.
Taiwan Fury Over Defence Papers: Legislator Accused of Removing Secret Documents Amid Partisan Fight
A closed briefing on a NT$1.25 trillion special defence budget escalated into a legal and political controversy after legislator Huang Kuo-chang left the room with classified documents, which he says were returned within seconds. Prosecutors have received complaints alleging breaches of Taiwan’s secrets-protection law, a development that risks further polarising Taiwanese politics and complicating oversight of sensitive defence matters.
Nvidia Overtakes Apple as TSMC’s Biggest Client, Underscoring AI’s Grip on the Chip Supply Chain
Jensen Huang confirmed that Nvidia has become TSMC’s largest customer, replacing Apple. The shift reflects booming demand for AI accelerators, with implications for TSMC’s capacity allocation, industry pricing power, and geopolitical supply‑chain risk.
Beijing Says Drone Flight Near Dongsha Was Lawful Training as Taipei Protests Incursion
Beijing says a PLA drone's flight within 12 nautical miles of Dongsha Island on January 21 was routine training and lawful, while Taipei condemned it as provocative and destabilising. The episode highlights the growing use of unmanned systems in cross‑strait grey‑zone operations and raises regional concerns about escalation and challenges to territorial norms.