As defense ministers from around the world fly in to Singapore to attend Asia’s top security conference this weekend, they will be acutely aware that the war in Ukraine has given an added intensity to discussions about Taiwan and a potential invasion by China. Politico
Month: June 2022
Preparing for a potential Chinese invasion
The exchange was the latest in a spiral of martial messaging between the US and China. It was also a reflection of the mounting fears in Washington, Taipei and among US allies that Beijing could try to annex Taiwan in the next few years. Financial Times
Taiwan citizens turn to gun training as fears of China invasion grows
From tour guides to tattoo artists, some in Taiwan are taking shooting lessons for the first time in their lives as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ratchets up anxiety at the prospect of giant Neighbour China making a similar move on the democratic island. Yahoo News
‘Top Gun’ China Snub Helps ‘Maverick’ Movie Take Off in Taiwan
Top Gun: Maverick, the long-awaited sequel to Tom Cruise’s 1986 classic film, may be grounded in China, but it’s taking off in Taiwan amid an atmosphere of increased animosity between the Taiwan Strait neighbors. Among 12 markets in the Asia-Pacific, Taiwan’s $7.6 million in ticket sales make it the movie’s third-most successful in the region so far MSN
China demands US stop trade talks with Taiwan
China’s government on Thursday accused Washington of jeopardizing peace after U.S. envoys began trade talks with Taiwan aimed at deepening relations with the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing. MSN
American posts Taiwan flag in Kyiv
Images this week began to surface on social media showing Taiwan’s flag on a wall in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv, and the man responsible is an American citizen rallying international support for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. taiwannews.com.tw
Active-duty Japanese officers bolster Taiwan-Japan military ties
Japan’s decision to send active-duty military officers to Taiwan for the first time symbolizes the importance the country places on Taiwan, military analysts said on Saturday (June 4), following a Sankei News report about the purported plan. taiwannews.com.tw
Japan nibbles at one-China principle with ‘dangerous’ plan
According to an exclusive report released by Japan’s right-wing Sankei News on Saturday, the Japanese government has decided to dispatch a staff member from Japan’s Ministry of Defense to work at the so-called Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s Taipei office as early as this summer. Global Times
Playing With Fire
Japan is reportedly planning to send an “active-duty” defense official to Taiwan to strengthen “information-gathering capabilities” in the wake of increasing Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait. IBTimes.com
US, China on Collision Course Over Taiwan
In response to increasingly aggressive statements coming from the US government regarding Taiwan, China’s senior diplomat, Yang Jiechi, on May 18 contacted Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to issue a direct warning. “The US,” Yang said, “has been adopting wrongful narratives and actions that interfere with China’s domestic politics and are harmful to China’s interests. …” Energyintel.com