pic.: the website-group was
ranked No.1 "understand Taiwan" on
Yandex of Russia, 2024-2-28, 2024-1-23, 2024-1-1, 2023-12-24, 2023-11-11, 2023-11-1, 2023-10-10, 2023-9-22, 2023-8-22, 2023-8-8, 2023-7-25, 2023-7-10, 2023-6-24, 2023-6-1, 2023-4-30, 2023-3-23, 2023-3-4, 2023-2-28, 2023-2-19, 2023-1-21, 2023-1-15, 2023-1-1, 2022-12-24, 2022-11-29, 2022-11-1, 2022-10-31, 2022-10-10, 2022-10-4, 2022-9-20, 2022-9-13, 2022-8-20, 2022-7-21, 2022-7-1, 2022-6-24, 2022-6-15, 2022-6-2, 2022-5-25, 2022-5-14, 2022-4-30, 2022-4-21, 2022-4-9, 2022-3-25, 2022-3-20, 2022-2-22, 2022-2-14, 2022-1-29, 2022-1-4, 2021-12-27, 2021-12-10, 2021-12-4, 2021-11-10, 2021-10-28, 2021-10-22, 2021-10-8,
2021-6-16,
2021-6-2
pic.:
The websites group was ranked
No.1 "understand Taiwan" on Microsoft Bing,
2024-2-28, 2024-1-23, 2024-1-1, 2023-12-24, 2023-11-11, 2023-11-1, 2023-10-10, 2023-9-22, 2023-8-22, 2023-8-8, 2023-7-25, 2023-7-10, 2023-6-24, 2023-4-30, 2023-3-4, 2023-2-28, 2023-2-19, 2023-1-22, 2023-1-15, 2023-1-1, 2022-12-24, 2022-11-29, 2022-11-1, 2022-10-10, 2022-10-4, 2022-9-20, 2022-9-13, 2022-7-21, 2022-6-15, 2022-6-2, 2022-5-25,
2022-5-14, 2022-4-30, 2022-4-21, 2022-4-9,
2022-3-25, 2022-3-20, 2022-2-22,
2022-2-14, 2022-1-29, 2022-1-4, 2021-12-27,
2021-12-10,
2021-12-4, 2021-11-10, 2021-10-28, 2021-10-25, 2021-10-22,
2021-10-8, 2021-10-5, 2021-9-30,
2021-8-22,
2021-6-30, 2021-6-16, 2021-6-2, 2021-5-15,
2021-4-17,
3-5-2021, 2-12-2021, 1-20-2021,
1-1-2021, 11-29-2020, 10-10-2020, 8-5-20208-17-2020, 6-21-2020, 5-13-2020, 4-3-2020,
2-26-2020, 2-5-2020, 12-31-2019, 12-10-2019;
No.2 "understand Taiwan"
on Bing, 2022-8-21
Debate
over the biological sex of a boxer who won women's match
at the Olympic Games is sweeping the globe.
(Fox News, 2024-8-4 ) |
◆
ESPN, 2024-8-10 |
Taiwan's
Lin Yu-ting joins Imane Khelif with Olympic gold amid gender dispute.
The two boxers' detractors included former U.S. President Donald Trump, "Harry
Potter" author J.K. Rowling and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. Their presence
in Paris became a weapon in a largely Western culture clash over eligibility for
women's sports. |
◆
AFP, Radio France Internationale , 2024-8-13 |
Return of the Olympians: Taiwan sends up fighter jets as welcome
brigade. But the furore continues to flare online |
◆
The
Diplomat, 2024-8-6 |
a global furor over a boxer's gender.
|
◆
New York Times, 2024-7-3
: China seized
Taiwanese Boat
(Fishing
illegally) - a move could add to tensions between
Beijing and President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan.
◆
The Atlantic Council, 2024-6-27:
... sufficient
bravery, preparation, and will. The Taiwanese
ask themselves, “Are we made of the same stuff?”◆
Daily Express, 2024-6-23 :
In a move that escalates already high tensions, China has issued a dire warning
to Taiwan independence advocates, threatening them with the death penalty.
◆
Reuters, 2024-6-2:
Prospect of peaceful 'reunification' with Taiwan
is being increasingly "eroded" by Taiwanese separatists and
external forces, China says
◆
Daily Express, 2024-6-3:
China's
Defence Chief asserted
that China's military is prepared to engage forcefully,
and
warned of an imminent "perilous
situation of war and danger"
◆
CNN, Reuters, Fox News, Independent
(2024-5-17): Taiwan parliament brawl
escalates into night as lawmakers shove, tackle and hit each other
-
Taiwan's opposition party, the
Kuomintang (KMT), along with the People's Party, wants parliament to
have greater scrutiny over the government.
The clashes raise the prospect of more turmoil - and parliamentary conflict
- ahead for Lai's new government after it takes office.
The US defends Taiwan
? |
◆
The Australian, 2024-6-4 |
‘It depends’: Biden wavers on Taiwan defence |
◆
TIME, 2024-6-4 |
Asked by Time magazine whether
The US might involve boots on the ground,
US President Joe Biden said, "It
would depend on the circumstances""we
are not seeking independence for Taiwan nor will we in fact, not defend Taiwan
if they if, if China unilaterally tries to change the status...Not ruling out using US military force. There's a
distinction between deploying on the ground, air power and naval power, etc" |
◆
Bloomberg, Yahoo, 2024-5-15:
China said it would sanction five Taiwanese political commentators and roll out
a law to punish “separatists,” moves aimed at piling pressure on incoming
president Lai Ching-te just days before he takes office
◆
Foreign Policy, 2024-5-12:
China and the U.S. are numb to the
real risk of
war.
The pair are dangerously close to the edge of nuclear war over Taiwan—again.
◆
Business Insider, 2024-5-10:
China is untangling its economy from the West. It could be
preparing for long-term tensions — and an invasion of Taiwan
◆
ABC News, 2024-5-1:
Does
China's economy make them more
likely to invade Taiwan or less likely?
It may very well
drive Xi if he thinks that he's not going to catch up with the
United States in terms of being the biggest economy, it may
drive him to go for this sooner.
◆
Wall Street Journal, 2024-4-30:
Taiwan's economic
growth beats
expectations in strong
start
to year.
◆
The
Telegraph, 2024-4-30:
The relentless purchases and the sheer quantity are clear signs that
this is a political project which is prioritised by the leadership in
Beijing because of what they see is a looming confrontation with the United
States.
“Of course it’s
connected also to plans for a military invasion of Taiwan
◆
New York Times, 2024-4-23:
in the Foreign Aid Package,
the House attached a provision that would allow the Pentagon to quickly
provide Taiwan with more offensive weapons and provides billions more for the
purchase of advanced U.S. weapons technology as the U.S. and Taiwanese
governments continue to build up their alliances to deter China from invading
the island.
◆
USNI News, 2024-4-23:
Report to Congress on Taiwan Defense Issues
-
A key consideration for U.S.
policymakers is whether and if so how to support Taiwan’s ability to defend
itself in a possible cross-Strait conflict without triggering such a conflict.
◆
SCMP, 2024-4-28:
Cross-strait tourism has
typically mirrored the ups and downs in relations between the
island and mainland China.
◆
Daily Express (UK), 2024-4-27: China is
gearing up to strike Taiwan and could hit the self-governed
territory in just a few months as Beijing and the West lock
horns
◆
SUN (UK), 2024-4-24:
China building army in
space – tripling number of spy satellites amid Taiwan invasion
fears
◆
Associated Press, The Hill,
2024-4-24:
China blasts US military aid to Taiwan,
saying the island is entering a ‘dangerous situation’
◆
Economist, 2024-4-18:
China is talking to Taiwan's next leader, just not directly
...
being granted an audience with Xi Jinping, Ma Ying-jeou
(Taiwan's former president
) wrote
that Mr Xi
had “extended an olive branch to us”. Mr Ma hoped that Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's
next president, would “put the people first and respond pragmatically”.
◆
Reuters, 2024-4-19:
Taiwan says new Chinese air routes threaten Taiwanese islands' flight safety
◆
Daily Express, 2024-4-19:
China on brink of Taiwan invasion as NATO
braces for World War III
◆
Wall Street Journal, 2024-4-13:
many of Kinmen's (Taiwan's front-line, just 3
miles away
from mainland) residents have much more
direct kinship ties to people on the mainland. The use of force against Kinmen would signal that China can no longer
hope to win the rest of Taiwan through anything but force, and would make such
an invasion that much more difficult.
◆
Reuters, 2024-4-10:
China's Xi says nobody can stop 'family reunion' with Taiwan ◆
Fox News, 2024-4-6:
The largest coordinated display
since last year -
The incursion into Taiwanese territory
by People's Liberation Army (PLA) planes and sea vessels followed a
Tuesday phone call between Chinese
President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden.◆
Newsweek, 2024-3-29
:
China doubles
down on friction in Taiwan's
front-line
islands
◆
Asia Times, 2024-3-27
:
the government has
failed to make military service a viable career choice
- Military
service is a hard life with low pay,
bad housing and no GI-Bill sort of benefits...
simply isn't respected in traditional
Chinese society... Taiwan's “reserve force” is shambolic and that's
being charitable. There is no “territorial” or militia force,
either. Taiwan also lacks a civil defense scheme. ◆
AFP, The Telegraph, 2024-3-24
:
US military officials have warned that China could invade
Taiwan by 2027
◆
Washington Examiner, 2024-3-22:
Adm. John Aquilino, U.S. Navy commander and head of the Indo-Pacific forces, told the
House Armed Services Committee that America is steadily less prepared for a war
with China that now appears to be right around the corner. ◆
New York Times, 2024-3-24
:
Two
Chinese survivors told Chinese media that the Taiwanese vessel
collided with them, while the Taiwanese
Coast Guard said
the two boats
“made contact” at times during the chase.
Chinese officials are now waiting for a report
from Taiwanese investigators into the death
incident; tensions could climb if Beijing disputes their
conclusions ◆
War
On The Rocks, 2024-3-21: Taipei has not made the necessary
preparations. Taiwan's navy continues to prioritize
small numbers of large surface combatants over acquiring the “large
number of small things,”..
◆
Daily Express, 2024-3-20
: World on the brink as Taiwan admits US troops stationed
on Chinese border. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed in 2023 facilitated the
deployment of these troops to conduct training programs for Taiwanese frontline
forces.
◆
Wall Street Journal, 2024-3-18
:
Without shifting to a
full asymmetrical defense approach, Taiwan risks a quick defeat
if invaded, the Taiwanese military’s penchant for pricey
weapons limits funds for more effective tools such as
shoulder-fired missiles. “The
asymmetrical approach advocated by some people would put the whole of
Taiwan into a meat grinder" , said a former
Taiwanese foreign-affairs official
◆
Daily Express, 2024-3-13:
Taiwan war with China given latest seal of approval by US with
new deadly weapon (the Link 16 comm.
system ) in a move set to escalate tensions between Taiwan and China
delivery.
Link 16 acts as the brain
and nervous system of Taiwan's military apparatus,
places control firmly in
US hands.
◆
The Hill,
2024-3-5: In
China's legislature,
Premier Li's report had stronger language on
Taiwan
-
Dropping the word “peace” combined with the phrase “resolutely opposing
Taiwan independence,” is what signals a stronger stance ◆
New York times,
2024-2-26: The P.L.A.'s now-normalized presence around Taiwan raises the risk of an
accidental confrontation◆
Business Insider,
2024-2-26:Taiwan fears that stalled Ukraine aid foreshadows their
future if China invades. Taiwan is concerned about a Trump victory◆
NHK, 2024-2-26:
Survey: Over 60% of Japanese firms see risk in Taiwan tensions,
while 58.2 percent chose China's strengthening of trade
regulations. 57.3 percent were concerned about tougher US
regulations on China
◆
New York Times,
Beijing's awareness of
its long-term challenges makes it more likely to gamble while America is
tied down by other crises, internally divided◆
DW, 2024-2-16:
the blockade would be a very special
threat for Taiwan... neither the conventional capability, nor asymmetric
capability, can be effective to deter or defend for this operation
◆
full text
◆
CNN,
2024-2-22 :
China accuses Taiwan of ‘covering up the truth’ over deaths of Chinese
fishermen Rising Tensions
msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-accuses-taiwan-of-covering-up-the-truth-over-deaths-of-chinese-fishermen/vi-BB1iHHZA |
One of the fishermen who survived that incident
was speaking to chinese state TV and said their boat was hit, it was
rammed by a Taiwanese vessel and that it overturned, it capsized.
This was not something that happened by accident. |
we are
hearing an account from Taiwan, from the Coast Guard that says this
fisherman vessel from China it look a sharp turn and that's what caused
it to capsize |
◆
United Daily (台灣聯合報),
2024-2-23 : Taiwan's
prosecutor said it was rammed
(台海巡人員執法過當,導致大陸漁船在追逐中碰撞翻覆釀成二死)。
udn.com/news/story/7338/7786660?from=udn-catehotnews_ch2 |
◆
United Daily (台灣聯合報),
2024-2-23 : Taiwan's
premier 陳建仁:The prosecution has not officially
confirmed it was rammed
(未證實陸漁船因碰撞翻覆,不要以訛傳訛) udn.com/news/story/9213/7786972?from=udn_ch2cate6638sub9213_pulldownmenu_v2 |
◆Global
Times, 2024-2-26:
Taiwan even used the phrase "rescue
explanation of the overturned mainland speedboat" at a press conference,
making the accident sound like the mainland fishing boat had
accidentally capsized and Taiwan's vessel was there to rescue, blatantly
spreading false information.
If the Taiwan authorities continue to disregard the mainland's sincerity,
then they will bear
the consequences and pay the cost. Calling off the "off-limit" or "restricted"
waters in the Xiamen-Kinmen zones, realizing regular law enforcement patrols in
the entire Xiamen-Kinmen waters, including boarding inspections of relevant
ships.
globaltimes.cn/page/202402/1307706.shtml
|
the Deaths of Chinese Fishermen That Taiwanese Forces Chased Away
Tensions between Taiwan and China reached a new high |
Associated Press, 2024-2-18 |
The fishermen's deaths are unusual despite the level of Chinese activity in the
waters near Kinmen, which is closer to China than it is to Taiwan's main island |
TIME, 2024-2-15 |
China: Taiwan's
officials have long mistreated fishermen from the mainland and
forcefully and dangerously seized mainland fishing boats, a pattern it
claims led to the recent |
Reuters, NBC News, 2024-2-18 |
China has
condemned Taiwan's actions and labeled the death incident "wicked".
The deaths had caused “strong indignation” in China, and there is no
such thing as ‘prohibited or restricted waters’. China will
strengthen its law enforcement activities and carry out regular patrols
around a small group of Taiwanese-controlled islands off the Chinese
coast as tensions rise over the deaths of two Chinese nationals |
Daily Express
(UK), 2024-2-18 |
China ramps up coast guard ships in Taiwan waters as tensions
rise over fishermen deaths.
Tensions
between China and Taiwan have reached a new high. |
DW (Germany),
2024-2-16 |
Inevitable Taiwan tensions in 2024 |
China Daily
(China) , 2024-2-19 |
China: A callous act with disregard for human life. It has caused strong
indignation across the mainland ;
For many years, the
mainland
established reception facilities for Taiwan fishermen in numerous coastal areas,
provided them assistance such as shelters and supplies, and rescued Taiwan
fishing boats and fishermen,。
In contrast, the
DPP Taiwan have, for
some time, forcefully detained mainland fishing boats under various pretexts and
treated mainland fishermen in a rude and dangerous manner, this was the key reason why the fatal incident occurred.
The mainland reserves the right to take further measures, and Taiwan will bear
all consequences. |
Taipei Times (Taiwan), 2024-2-16 |
Taiwan (MAC) : Coast guard's conduct appropriate - they were
legally performing their duties and had not erred in any way.
Chinese fishing vessels have been intruding into Taiwan's restricted or
prohibited waters for a while to poach high-priced fish |
◆
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
2024-2-9:
Short of clearly committing to restraint
and offering some sort of arrangement that could make people on Taiwan better
off overall, CCP leaders are left only with the option to escalate confrontation
through harsher means
◆
Reuters,
2024-2-6:
the latest high-tech
weapons delivered by the U.S. were often locked up in storehouses.
The armed forces as burdened by "unprofessionalism,
defeatism and Chinese nationalism".
◆
Business Insider,
2024-2-6:
During last year's APEC
summit, Chinese leader Xi Jinping reportedly told President Joe Biden that China
fully intends to take over Taiwan — a move that could result in a hot war in the
region
◆
War On The
Rocks,
2024-1-31:
Over
the course of 2023, more than 1,700
Chinese aircraft breached Taiwan's air defense identification zone, 703
of which crossed
the median line.
◆
Reuters,
2024-1-31:
American military logistics in the Pacific
is one of the greatest U.S. vulnerabilities in any potential conflict over
Taiwan. Our ability to deter conflict in the Western
Pacific over the next five years is not close to where it needs to be
◆
The Telegraph,
2024-1-26:
The PLA is in crisis. That won't stop China invading Taiwan.
the US intelligence community and Defense Department have consistently
underestimated the capabilities of the People's
Liberation Army and its intentions
◆
Defense News,
2024-1-25:
China’s military has declared it is “ready to fight” after large-scale combat
exercises simulating sealing off Taiwan.
To deter China, the US and Taiwan should seek asymmetric symmetry
◆
Semafor,
2024-1-24:
according to Foreign Policy,
Taiwan’s ruling
Democratic Progressive Party lacks many military commanders who advocate
asymmetrical warfare and a “porcupine
strategy:” deterring Beijing with a smaller stockpile of more effective weapons.
Security officials within the party have historically called for reinforcing the
island with big tanks, submarines, and fighter jets that “Washington thinks
Taiwan doesn't need” ◆
AFP,
2024-1-14:
Beijing could apply an economic squeeze on
Taiwan, which would "set the terms of interaction for the next four years of
cross-strait relations".
President-elect Lai's
party lose its majority - Any legislation
regarding cross-strait relations would be difficult to pass◆ Barron's,
2024-1-9: Experts consider
an all-out invasion unlikely in the near term, but discussions are still
happening within security circles from Taipei to Washington. ◆ Washington
Post, Daily Express,
2024-1-9:
Tensions between China and Taiwan are
reaching new highs ahead of this weekend's elections.
Taiwan issues red alert after Chinese
satellite flies over airspace.
This appears to be the first time the
Taiwanese government has issued a similar island-wide alert, and comes just days
before Taiwan is to hold pivotal presidential and legislative elections
◆ Washington
Post,
2024-1-5: The shortage of missiles is especially dire, as the
Wall Street Journal reports, noting a simulation that found “America
would run out of all-important long-range anti-ship missiles within the first
week” of a war over Taiwan. The best path to
preventing a war of “unification” is probably to postpone it, ideally
indefinitely, through fictions such as the “one China” policy
◆
Washington Times,
2024-1-5:
In the event of a DPP victory, Beijing's
first move may be directed not at Taiwan but at the White House.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's
“recent statements emphasizing the urgency of reunification make it unlikely for
him to accept defeat gracefully.◆
The Guardian,
2024-1-5: Ultimately, as
voters know, next weekend's Taiwan
presidential election is likely to be less consequential in geopolitical
terms than this year's US presidential race and its
ultimate winner
◆
The Hill, 2024-1-6:
Often characterized as a
proxy war between the superpowers, the reality of the situation is far more
nuanced and indicative of a complex geopolitical chess game where, surprisingly,
both the U.S. and China stand to gain regardless of the election's outcome
◆ Foreign Affairs, 2024-1-5:
U.S. support for Ukraine
diverts weapons
from Taiwan but
demonstrates resolve to China
◆
The Globe and Mail, 2024-1-5:The tragedy of Taiwan is that a clash with China is inevitable◆
ABC Australia,
2024-1-3: As China flexes its military muscles, everyday citizens in
Taiwan are preparing for war.
China has more than 2 million active personnel compared to Taiwan's 170,000
troops, as well as five times as many tanks and six times as many fighter
aircraft. War today might not unfold as it did in the past … nowadays,
hybrid warfare blurs the lines between peacetime and wartime.
◆
full text
media |
China's invasion |
◆
GB News, 2023-12-25 |
So we should be
working with Taiwan right now privately telling them we're not going to
fight for you.
“We just can't get
into a war that could go nuclear, it would be foolish.” |
◆
NBC, 2023-12-26 |
Xi's private warning
on
reunifying Taiwan to Biden
was delivered at a time when China's behavior toward Taiwan is seen as
increasingly aggressive and ahead of a potentially pivotal
presidential election
in the self-governing democratic island next month.
Sen. Lindsey
Graham, R-S.C. said: First, create a robust defense
supplemental for Taiwan and second, draft pre-invasion
sanctions from hell to impose on China if they take action to seize Taiwan.
(ps:
no plan to send military troops) |
◆
Daily Express, 2023-12-23 |
The Taiwan war is coming - and the West will need boots
on the ground |
◆
New
York Post, 2023-12-21 |
China's
Xi Jinping warned Joe bluntly that Beijing will take
Taiwan... It represents a clear escalation on China's part, moving from its longtime claim of
ownership to notification of intent
to take possession. Biden often talks tough,
but shies from any action he
fears will “escalate” a confrontation — forever leaving the initiative in the
hands of America's adversaries.
|
◆
First Post, 2023-12-22 |
Japan says that an invasion of Taiwan by China is imminent and that it is
preparing for the repercussions |
◆
Politico, 2023-12-23:
The guessing game of how
likely an intervention — or even invasion — by China is helps
explain the nervy tenor of this race
(presidential election).
◆
New York Post, 2023-12-21:
China's
Xi Jinping warned Joe bluntly that Beijing will take
Taiwan...
If Xi tries to take Taiwan by force, it’ll leave Washington two options: abandon
our Pacific allies and let China have it, with catastrophic consequences — or
help the island nation fight off the Chinese, risking a war that could go
nuclear.◆
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
, 2023-12-13:
Taiwan is
a country that suffers from one of the lowest
trust rates in the media among
democracies (28%) and where the media community is often
criticised for disregarding journalism ethics...
journalists suffer from a very polarised media environment dominated
by sensationalism and the pursuit of profit at the expense of
quality news reporting.
◆
National Interest, 2023-12-11: China
is flexing
its aircraft
carrier muscles
near Taiwan
◆
The Telegraph, 2023-12-2: Taiwan is about to vote against China.
War is coming. The time for doing business with China is finished ◆
The Market Oracle (UK), 2023-11-28: Taiwan's elections loom just a few
weeks away. Continued militarization would undermine past economic success.
Taiwan is at its ultimate crossroads. Almost
every second Taiwanese would prefer a less confrontational stance and greater
focus on domestic economy.
◆
The Diplomat, 2023-12-1: the KMT has a history of
opposition against asymmetric strategies. Most recently, KMT legislators attempted to
block new capabilities ranging from the purchase of Harpoons to Javelins and
Stingers.
Jaw
(vice-president candidate) is an avowed opponent of the 12-month
conscription, calling it
a provocation to Beijing.
◆
Bloomberg, 2023-11-26:
Taiwan draws
clear US-versus-China
battle lines in
key election ;
an unprecedented third straight term in power
for the DPP is by no means a foregone conclusion. There are a substantial amount
of voters who want a change ◆
Reuters, 2023-11-24:
China ties on the line as Taiwan opposition splits in dramatic feud ◆
The Hill,
2023-11-16:
Biden, Xi reset relationship but
without a ‘breakthrough’... had a candid discussion about
the future of Taiwan; and signaled war was not on the horizon. ◆
Economist,
2023-11-13:
Strategists worry about a “window of
vulnerability” in the Indo-Pacific this decade, as China’s forces grow stronger
and America’s investments in new military equipment don’t fully bear fruit until
the 2030s...As for capacity, the Pentagon long ago
abandoned the requirement that its armed forces be able to fight two major
regional wars simultaneously.
◆
Newsweek,
2023-11-9:
Taiwan's long
wait for nearly $20 Billion in American
weapons, asymmetric weaponry
accounts for $4.22 billion, or 22 percent of the backlog.
◆
BBC,
2023-11-9:
If Taiwan is not controlling sensitive and secret information very well…
You should expect any competent foreign intelligence service to get
access to it.
◆
BBC,
2023-11-6:
In Washington there is a strong sense that Taiwan is running out of time
to reform and rebuild its military. In a
conflict with China, Taiwan's navy and air force would be wiped out in
the first 96 hours of battle.
Under intense pressure from Washington, Taipei is switching to a
"fortress Taiwan" strategy -
repelling an invasion on the beaches and, if necessary, in the towns and
cities
◆
New York Times,
2023-10-29:
Taiwan
must accelerate its shift toward investing in defense capabilities
- make a greater effort to stockpile not only munitions, but also food,
water and energy. It needs to adopt a whole-of-society approach to its defense
that emphasizes national resistance, resilience and the willingness to fight.
◆
Newsweek, 2023-10-26:
Taiwan Voters Must Choose Between 'War and Peace,' China Says
◆ SKY
News
(Australia),
2023-10-21:
Taiwan has been accused of permitting
modern modern-day slavery with its migrant workers...migrant
workers are often mistreated in an unfair system which needs to be overhauled.
◆
SCMP,
2023-10-21:
The inadequate training given to Taiwanese reservists after
discharge has been known for some time, drawing criticism from
the US,
...Taiwan
could also learn from Israel about maintaining a lasting public
enthusiasm to fend off the enemy
◆
Newsweek,
2023-10-16: The
U.S. has known since no later than 2012——that Chinese
surface-to-surface (STS) missiles can destroy U.S. aircraft
carriers, or any other military asset that isn't submerged;
Taiwan has storage
capacity for 11 days of natural gas consumption. A Chinese
blockade would force Taiwan's surrender in short order.
◆
New York Times,
2023-10-16:
if he concludes that the United States has broken, once and for
all, from its previous position on Taiwan and is bent on
thwarting unification, he may feel that he must act militarily.
If the combination of deterrence and reassurance fails and China
attacks Taiwan, it will set a precedent in which Chinese leaders
kill and destroy to achieve their goals.
◆
full text
US defend Taiwan ? |
◆
The Hill, 2023-9-26 |
During a Tokyo interview
alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden repeated his statement on defending Taiwan: “That’s
the commitment we made.” But, when asked whether “the
policy of strategic ambiguity towards Taiwan [is] dead,”
he replied “No.” |
◆
National Review, 2023-9-19 |
It's noteworthy that Biden declined to say a single word about
Taiwan in his
U.N. speech
came a day after the Chinese Communist
Party's armed forces sent 103
jets into Taiwan’s air-defense identification zone —
which is a new record that surpasses even the Chinese
tantrum that followed then–House speaker Pelosi's
visit to Taiwan. |
◆
Telegraph,
2023-10-13:
If China attempts a blockade of Taiwan, Taiwanese forces and
their American allies will have to break the blockade – or risk losing the
island democracy to mainland...It's worth
noting the United States hasn't directly intervened in the Chinese blockade of a
Philippine outpost
◆
VOA News,
2023-10-13: Expert says :
for
Taiwan, the most important thing is whether the intelligence it has gathered can
help Taipei prepare for potential military conflicts,
Taiwan should also assess whether it can
promptly mobilize its forces and whether its forces can react to sudden attacks
swiftly... there's a
question about whether Taiwan can obtain enough equipment for all of them
◆
Newsweek,
2023-10-13: Taiwan
defense dpt:
the common expectation is to avoid war ◆
Express (UK),
2023-10-13:
A China-Taiwan
war could break out unless the war in Israel is put to an end
◆
Newsweek,
2023-10-12:
Since war broke out in the Mideast, some with hawkish views in
the U.S. have suggested that Taiwan needs to take its self-defense seriously.
◆
BBC,
2023-10-5: Most analysts agree that Taiwan's military - a shrunken army,
outnumbered navy and old artillery - would be no match against a far more
powerful China. ◆
Washington Examiner,
2023-10-5: Were Taipei truly
serious about deterring and defeating a PLA attack, it would be spending closer
to 10% of its GDP on defense
◆
Politico.eu, 2023-10-5:
Taiwan shivers over Ukraine funding freeze
◆
full text
◆
Washington Post,
2023-9-28: Taiwan launches the island's first domestically made
submarine for testing |
♦ CNN,
2023-9-28: President Tsai Ing-wen hailed
this
as a significant milestone.
“The submarine is an important realization of our concrete
commitment in defending our country”.
♦ Newsweek,
2023-9-29: Taiwan's former
military leader who heads the submarine program said that the
slated eight Hai
Kun-class boats would bolster the country's defenses to the point that "I don't think we will lose a war.". |
♦ BBC, 2023-9-28: National University of Singapore
Drew Thompson:
the "centre of gravity" for any China-Taiwan naval conflict
would not likely be in the deep waters off the island's east coast,
where submarines would be most effective in...Instead,
the main theatre of war would be in the shallower waters of the west
coast facing mainland China... The submarine is
not optimised for a counter invasion role...
♦
NewsWeek,
2023-9-29: A senior
researcher at RAND:
The relatively shallow, choppy waters of the Taiwan Strait were
well-suited for masking submarines but also harder to operate in.
Policy experts in the U.S. have urged Taipei to adopt an asymmetric
defense strategy based on "lots of small, deadly things—anti-ship
missiles, anti-air missiles, etc.—that would make Taiwan a porcupine."
Such an approach would become more useful, and submarines less so。
♦
The Diplomat,
2023-9-30:
The ODC
(
typically utilizes large numbers of cheaper, smaller, shorter-range, and
more survivable weapons systems.) appears to
have fallen
out of favor as
a result of institutional opposition, even though the United States has
sought to pressure the
government to focus on less gold-plated procurement projects.
|
◆
Reuters, 2023-9-28: Taiwan says"
it's not likely for them (China) to do anything major to threaten Taiwan or
anything so visible that the Taiwanese people understand that they are trying to
intervene in our election"
◆
Economist, 2023-9-26:
Taiwanese voters will in effect be asked
to decide whether Taiwan should remain aligned with America in strengthening
deterrence against a possible Chinese invasion, or should move towards building
ties with China. The opposition Kuomintang has called the vote a choice between
“war and peace”, implying that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s
hostility towards China will provoke it to attack.
China...narratives that portray America, not China, as the island's
biggest threat.
◆
Washington Examiner, 2023-9-26:
Americans are increasingly concerned over
tensions between China and Taiwan, with more than 80% reporting the problem is
"somewhat" or "very serious" for the U.S.
◆
full text
The websites group was ranked
No.1 "understand Taiwan" on
ecosia (Germany), 2024-2-28, 2024-1-23, 2024-1-1, 2023-12-24, 2023-11-1, 2023-10-10, 2023-9-22, 2023-8-22, 2023-8-8, 2023-7-25, 2023-7-10, 2023-4-30, 2023-3-23, 2023-2-19, 2023-1-22, 2022-12-24, 2022-11-29, 2022-11-1, 2022-8-20, 2022-7-21, 2022-7-1, 2022-4-30, 2022-4-21, 2022-4-9, 2022-3-25, 2022-3-20, 2022-2-22, 2022-2-14, 2022-1-29, 2022-1-4, 2021-12-25, 2021-12-4, 2021-11-10, 2021-10-28, 2021-10-22, 2021-10-8, 2021-10-5, 2021-9-30,
2021-8-22, 2021-6-16,
2021-6-2,
2021-5-13,
2021-4-17,
3-3-2021, 2-12-2021, 11-17-2020, 8-17-2020; No.2
"understand Taiwan" on Ecosia,
2023-3-4, 2023-1-1, 2022-10-10, 2022-10-4, 2022-9-20;
No.1 "understand Taiwan" on
Yahoo Taiwan, 2023-8-8, 2021-9-30, 2021-8-22, 2021-6-16,
2021-6-2,
2021-5-13,
2021-4-17,
3-3-2021, 2-12-2021, 1-20-2021, 11-17-2020, 8-17-2020
The websites group was ranked
No.1 "understand Taiwan" on
Swisscows (Switzerland), 2024-2-28, 2024-1-23, 2024-1-1, 2023-12-24, 2023-11-1, 2023-8-8, 2023-7-10, 2023-6-22, 2021-12-4, 2021-11-10,
2021-10-28, 2021-8-22, 2021-6-16,
2021-6-2,
2021-5-13,
2021-4-17,
3-3-2021, 2-12-2021, 11-17-2020, 8-17-2020, 6-21-2020;
No.2 at 2023-7-25
|
◆
The Daily Caller, 2023-9-24:
China is
on the fast
track to
wage war against Taiwan —
and the US,
experts say.
China has been preparing for
the possibility of fighting the U.S. over Taiwan going back to around 1996 or
1997 after realizing Washington intended to preserve the status quo of Taiwan's
semi-autonomy, experts explained.
◆
19FortyFive, 2023-9-21:
China is building a powerful military
to beat America in a war over Taiwan; China is
readying for war today ◆
1945, 2023-9-20:
China's military
is preparing
to invade Taiwan
.
China's military has developed advanced
methods for depriving the Americans of their vaunted advantage in space, threatening the
US in the cyber domain, and possibly disrupting the
electromagnetic (EM) spectrum to sabotage American forces ◆
New York post, 2023-9-19: PLA would have to do a combined
amphibious and airborne air assault operation, which is an incredibly
complicated joint operation to be able to do
◆
Reuters, 2023-9-19:
Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail, Pentagon official says
◆ Military,
2023-9-13: By 37% to
22%, Americans on a bipartisan basis believe we should militarily protect Taiwan
◆
Daily Express, 2023-9-9:
China has reached the "height of its power"
which may prompt Beijing to launch an invasion of Taiwan, former National
Security Advisor John Bolton exclusively told Daily Express US;
the United States
was not ready ... - something which Beijing would see
as an “opportunity”◆
Foreign Policy,2023-9-5: China
could exploit
its geographical proximity and advancing capabilities to win a regional war
against Taiwan.
U.S. deterrence against China
( to
convince Chinese President Xi Jinping that an attack would fail.
) is
not working.
The
U.S. military may merely need to raise China's
perception that any conflict would be drawn out and exceedingly costly.
◆
American Legion,
2023-9-6: Some predictions have estimated war
could break out as early as 2029.
Dr. Shelley Rigger, a Davidson College professor,
acknowledges that such forecasts are made with careful thought, research and
analysis. Still, she says, it's a situation in flux.
◆
Washington Examiner, 2023-9-6:
Former President
Donald Trump hinted that
he would not order a U.S. military intervention against
China were it to
attack Taiwan
◆
Daily Express (UK),
2023-9-2:
WW3 fears explode as China
warns US of 'imminent storm of lethal consequences' over Taiwan
after President Joe Biden announced more military aid for Taiwan
from a fund typically used for sovereign states.
◆
Sky News (Australia),
2023-9-1:Taipei is no Kyiv: Taiwan is playing a dangerous game by using
the war in Ukraine as an 'inspirational' example of how to fight off an invading
force
◆
Daily Express (UK),
2023-8-27: China
sparks major war fears as dozens of aircraft and vessels
either crossed the median line of the sensitive Taiwan Strait or breached
Taiwan's air defence identification zone in a major escalation.
Former Defense Intelligence
Agency officer Matt Shoemaker told Daily Express US the chances new military
packages will repel an invasion are low.
◆
The
Telegraph, 2023-8-22: China's Taiwan invasion: Battle for the Strait will be a
colossal missile duel
◆
Washington Examiner, 2023-8-22: China boasts
record-high military recruitment, if military aid
(Taiwan war) is needed, America's sagging recruitment numbers could be a
problem.
Using Foreign Military Financing
(FMF) program to transfer
military aid to Taiwan will likely infuriate
China. |
USA |
China |
♣ CNN
(2023-8-30):
US approves first-ever military aid to Taiwan through program
typically used for sovereign nations
♣ Bloomberg
(2023-8-31):
The Foreign Military Financing mechanism covers
international organizations as well as nations
♣ VOA
News (2023-8-30): previous
arms sales to Taiwan have been approved under other authorities that do not necessarily imply statehood.
U.S. officials were quick
to say that the provision of FMF funding to Taiwan did not represent a change in
policy. It's a position the Chinese are sure to disagree with
♣
The
Hill (2023-9-1):
the first time the U.S. has provided military assistance under FMF to Taiwan and the
second time it’s given it to a non-nation-state, the first being to the African
Union. |
♣
The
Hill (2023-9-1):
China says it ‘deplores’ US military transfer to Taiwan
♣ GT
(2023-8-31):
Whether it was Biden's use of "presidential authority" to provide
military aid to Taiwan in late July, or this first-ever military aid
through the so-called "Foreign Military Financing program," Washington
is impatiently applying the model of military assistance to Ukraine to
the Taiwan region. |
Council on Foreign Relations,
2023-8-29 China VS.
Taiwan |
|
China |
Taiwan |
active duty forces
|
2,035,000 |
170,000 |
artillery
|
9,800 |
1,200 |
principle surface
combatants |
139 |
57 |
fighter jets |
1900 |
300 |
bombers and attack
aircraft |
450 |
0 |
submarines
|
71 |
2 |
cfr.org/blog/taiwan-announced-record-defense-budget-it-enough-deter-china |
◆ The
Conversation, 2023-8-16:
According to some
Taiwanese observers, the people of Taiwan would be unwilling to pay such a
heavy price (Ukraine is
paying a heavy price in terms of lost
lives and a shattered
economy) to preserve its political autonomy.
◆ The
WarZone, 2023-8-16:
Taiwan's arsenal of counterstrike weapons like
the HF-2E would not be sufficient to outright stop an actual invasion from the
mainland.
◆
The Hill, 2023-8-8:
More ominously, the failure of the world's
toughest-ever sanctions regime to bring Russia to heel could embolden China's
expansionist designs against Taiwan, especially since similar sanctions against
Beijing would have even less impact.
Yet the U.S. is still not giving
sufficient priority to deterring a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
◆
Washington Examiner, 2023-8-7:
the predictable outcome now seems all but
certain: whether during Taiwan vice-president Lai's
visit or in the weeks following, the two nations' recent detente will fade amid
their intractable political differences
◆ ABC
News, 2023-7-30:
China has accused the United States of
turning Taiwan into an “ammunition depot”, which
will
not deter its will to unify the island
◆ ABC
News, 2023-7-28:
The Japanese government has stepped up its
alarm over Chinese assertiveness and Taiwan tensions,
warning in 2023 defense white paper. ◆ Daily Express, 2023-7-23: Japan says:
If people all over the world have the will to support Taiwan, it would be very possible that we will provide some kind
of support to Taiwan...the government would need to first secure the support of the
population before intervening.
◆
Financial Times, 2023-7-23:
Washington is reducing some
long-term deployments in the Indo-Pacific,...the US's
decision to help Ukraine only with weapons and the wavering of some European
countries about support for Kyiv do not bode well for Taiwan ◆ BBC, 2023-7-21:
Much of the
#MeToo
focus is still on sexual harassment, and "large-scale exposure" of
sexual assault is yet to happen, that
can only happen with more resources legal and counselling support
from the state. The government must extend the statute of limitations for
prosecuting sexual harassment cases, which is currently six months.
◆ Washington
Post, 2023-7-17:
Taiwan abandoning the One China framework aggravates the risk of
war
◆
ResponsibleStatecraft.org,
2023-7-17: War with China over Taiwan? Don't
expect US allies (Japan, Australia, Korea,
Philippines, Thailand) to join
◆
Reason, 2023-7-19: According
to a January survey by the Brookings Institute, 62
percent of respondents said that Pelosi's visit "made Taiwan less secure."
◆
full text ◆
◆
What would be the signs that a
PLA invasion is in the planning ? |
♦
Economist, 2023-7-27: China would want to secure adequate
supplies of commodities, namely energy ( coal, gas, oil - one of the
best indicators ), food and metals (unusual metal-buying patterns,
export controls on rare-earth metals ) and to
reduce the country's dependence on the dollar.
China might
move its foreign-exchange reserves out of dollars and euros and into
assets such as gold,
and probably tighten its capital controls,
they also might freeze all foreign funds in China,
etc
economist.com/china/2023/07/27/could-economic-indicators-signal-chinas-intent-to-go-to-war
♦
National Interest
, 2022-11-21:
there would be reliable indications,
including surging production of various missiles, rockets, and key munitions, China would take visible
steps to insulate its economy, military, and key industries from disruptions
and sanctions and would start preparing the population psychologically for
the cost of the war....
They might take a strategic advantage, such as by catching the rest of the world off-guard, capitalizing
on the chaos and distraction in other countries.
nationalinterest.org/feature/china’s-new-politburo-has-taiwan-its-crosshairs-205909
♦
Japan Times, 2022-10-18:
some of indications could be a mix
of both short- and long-term economic steps to try and insulate the
Chinese economy from external vulnerabilities and to minimize China's
dependency on the world while maximizing the world's dependency on
China. Short-term economic indicators are more likely to signal Beijing’s
intent. These could include a number of abrupt steps such as freezing foreign
financial assets within China, quickly repatriating Chinese assets held abroad,
a surge in stockpiling emergency supplies such as medicine or key technology
inputs and a suspension of key exports such as critical minerals, refined
petroleum products or food. japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/10/18/asia-pacific/signs-china-invasion-taiwan/ |
|
pic.:
The websites group was ranked No.1 "understand
Taiwan" on Lycos, 2023-9-22, 2023-8-21, 2023-8-8, 2023-7-25,
2023-7-10, 2023-4-30, 2023-3-23, 2023-1-22, 2023-1-15, 2023-1-1, 2022-12-24, 2022-11-29, 2022-11-1, 2022-10-10,2022-10-4, 2022-1-28, 2021-10-8,
2021-9-29,
2021-8-22, 2021-6-16,
2021-6-2,
2021-5-13,
2021-4-17,
3-3-2021,
2-12-2021, 1-20-2021, 11-17-2020,
8-17-2020,
5-13-2020;
ps: No.1 "understand
Taiwan" on SearchEncrypt, 2023-1-22, 2022-10-10; No.1 "understand Taiwan" on Excite,
2021-10-8, 2021-8-22, 2021-6-16,
2021-6-2,
2021-5-13,
2021-4-17,
2-12-2021, 1-20-2021, 11-17-2020, 8-17-2020, 05-13-2020
news:
◆
National Review, 2023-7-15:
the Chinese
military is advantaged if a Taiwan invasion is viewed as a local, limited
conflict... Janet Yellen: If reelected, president Biden may prefer not to fight
for Taiwan.
◆ CSIS.org, 2023-6-29:
Fundamentally,
both the August and April exercises were suggestive of an
“encirclement” of Taiwan using PLA Navy forces;
the April exercises were no less significant than
those in August.
◆
Yahoo Finance, SCMP, 2023-6-23:
Council on Foreign
Relations (CFR)
called on the United States to "bolster deterrence" against any
attempt by Beijing to use "force or coercion to achieve
unification with Taiwan"; The
Americans were "not
keen on" improving ties
with Beijing, with Washington tilting more towards "strategic clarity" on
Taiwan policy instead of its stated "strategic ambiguity".
◆
New York Post, 2023-6-19: Blinken ruffles feathers by
stating US "does not support Taiwan
independence" – as an inappropriate
kowtow to America's greatest
adversary.
◆
Bloomberg, 2023-6-15:
US Presses Taiwan Opposition Candidate
Over China Policies; Washington will want to be assured that
KMT's Hou has “a clear stance on China and international policy..."
◆ National
Interest, 2023-6-15:
If China
launches an invasion without first destroying America's
military assets in the region, its ships will be left vulnerable to attack.
However, if it launches a preemptive strike on U.S. forces, especially on
American soil in Guam, it will experience the full wrath of a vengeful
United States
◆
Washington Post,
2023-6-14:
Biden and Xi recognize that war between the two nations would
be suicidal for both. They understand that the most dangerous flash point is
Taiwan. While the nations’ differences over Taiwan are irreconcilable,
irreconcilable does not mean unmanageable ◆
Wall
Street Journal, 2023-6-7:
Sexual misconduct
allegations roil
Taiwan's U.S.-friendly
ruling party. ◆
Bloomberg, 2023-6-7: Taiwan president apologizes twice in week
for #MeToo allegations,
Tsai: “We’ve also seen such cases are everywhere, not
only in the DPP or other political parties..."
◆
USNI, 2023-6-7:
on paper Taiwan fields one
of the world’s most advanced ASCMs, but we don’t have the data
on actual performed real combat.”;
Taiwan has not been transparent about how many missiles it can
make.
there are “rumors [sic]
about slow production” related to “hang-ups in the defense [sic]
industrial complex” and Taiwan is “struggling to produce large
numbers of anything.”;
Taipei
has to decide whether to continue dividing resources across two
different strategies - a traditional navy or
an asymmetric one
◆
full text
National Interest, 2023-7-16 -
Willing to fight ? |
China |
Taiwan |
a study conducted by Adam Y. Liu
and Xiaojun Li, 55 percent of the
respondents supported “launching a unification war ” while 33 percent
opposed it ... another online survey in
ThinkChina and Taiwan Inside, 53.1 percent supported
armed unification with Taiwan, while 39.19 percent opposed it among
Chinese elites. |
Instead
of making a commitment to defend their territory, most Taiwanese people
have a huge hope to rely on external support, particularly from the
United States...
extension of the compulsory conscription
program received backlash from younger Taiwanese. |
Taiwan war
- ready to fight ? |
Taiwan |
China |
◆ Wall Street Journal, 2023-7-5:
Taiwan
is far from ready, Taiwan's military budget is still only
2.4% of the GDP—compared with about 5% in Israel.
The professionalism and motivation of
Taiwan's military are a particular concern.
A lot of young people who signed up for
the four-year volunteer force decided to pay a penalty and dropped out early
because they say they had come for the money—not to fight and not to die
wsj.com/articles/taiwan-china-ukraine-russia-hong-kong-military-war-517b87d?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo
Yaroslav
Trofimov
Joyu
Wang |
◆
Sky News Australia, 2023-7-8: Xi
calls for 'enhanced war planning'
◆
WION 2023-7-7:
Xi says the PLA must dare to fight.
Beijing has ramped up political and military pressure on
Taipeimsn.com/en-in/video/watch/dare-to-fight-chinas-president-inspects-forces-in-flashpoint-region-near-taiwan-details/vi-AA1dxGfN |
|
World's Best Hospitals 2023
by Newsweek & Statista
comparison among Asia's selected ten countries -
Taiwan's best hospital ranks world No.249
in top 250 list
newsweek.com/rankings/worlds-best-hospitals-2023 |
Asia's rank |
country |
total number of top 250
hospitals |
1 |
Japan |
18 |
2 |
S.
Korea |
18 |
3 |
Australia |
7 |
4 |
Singapore |
5 |
5 |
Israel |
3 |
6 |
India |
3 |
7 |
Thailand |
1 |
8 |
UAE |
1 |
9 |
Taiwan |
1 |
10 |
Saudi Arabia |
0 |
Taiwan's NTU Hospital ranks world No. 249
Asia's
China, etc are
not included in survey list - in total 28 countries |
Taiwan's NTU Hospital ranks behind selected
hospitals of Thai. and UAE
|
|
★
TaiwanPlus,
2023-3-6:
A poll
| |