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Taiwan

Taiwan
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Taiwan, covering politics, economy, society and the island's relationship with mainland China.
China’s spending on defence will increase by about 7 per cent this year. Photo: Xinhua
Two Sessions 2026

China keeps defence budget growth steady as modernisation deadline looms

Beijing plans to set aside 7 per cent more for the military this year, with the total still a fraction of US spending.

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US, Israel war on Iran

What does Marco Rubio’s ‘unleash Chiang’ threat against Iran actually mean?

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Religion

What are Buddhist relics? The bones and teeth with great power for followers

Mainland China

No PLA planes over Taiwan in 6 days. Why has Beijing pressed pause?

Analysts say the recent pause may be aimed at creating a conciliatory atmosphere in advance of this month’s leaders’ meeting.

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While no aircraft were recorded near Taiwan over six consecutive days, including the Chinese New Year, the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command said it maintained combat-oriented training over the period. Photo: Handout
Two Sessions 2026

Takeaways from Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s government work report

Li raises the curtain on the annual session of the National People’s Congress with a series of targets for the economy.

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Japan

Failure to launch: Japan’s Space One aborts Kairos flight after lift-off

The start-up has so far had three failed launches in its attempt to become the first Japanese private entity to put a satellite into orbit.

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From our archives

On This Day | Ang Lee becomes first Asian person to win directing Oscar in 2006 – SCMP archive

Twenty years ago on March 5, 2006, Lee won the Academy Award for best director for the film Brokeback Mountain.

Ang Lee holds his Oscar for achievement in directing. He is the first Asian winner of the award. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

Khamenei’s fall exposes China’s military AI lag versus US: Beijing adviser

Zheng Yongnian cites precision strikes on Iran and earlier Venezuela raid to warn about risks posed by deep AI integration in US military.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Girlfriends: Fish Liew and Jennifer Yu reunite for tender lesbian romance

Tracy Choi’s semi-autobiographical, episodic drama gives an intimate portrait of a woman searching for her place at different stages of life.

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China society

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Swords into Ploughshares can tell us a lot about Beijing’s approach to the crisis in Iran, cross-strait relations and this year’s ‘two sessions’.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Defence

What’s the one big thing missing from Beijing’s Taiwan deterrence strategy?

The country has military strength and political resolve but more work needs to be done on a third element, an NPC deputy says.

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Beijing has established military capacity and political resolve in relation to unification with Taiwan but should do more to communicate its deterrence, an NPC deputy says. Photo: Getty Images
International Property

Singapore offices cost the most to outfit, Asia-Pacific survey says

Fit-out costs in the city average more than US$2,000 per square metre, topping Tokyo, with Hong Kong in eighth, Knight Frank report says.

Stocks

US investors now own 23% of Taiwan’s equity market amid AI boom

US investors currently hold about 23 per cent of the Taiwan Stock Exchange’s total market capitalisation.

US-China relations

US advisory panel warns China is gaining in undersea warfare

Commission urges Pentagon to preserve underwater edge as Beijing expands submarines, unmanned systems and seabed ambitions.

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China has rapidly modernised its submarine fleet, narrowing the undersea capability gap with the United States, according to US officials. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Will Iran attack derail Trump’s high-stakes China visit to meet Xi Jinping?

China has condemned killing of Iranian leader as a grave violation of sovereignty and called US incitement of regime change ‘unacceptable’.

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US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping when he travels to Beijing later this month, the first such visit by an American leader since his own trip in 2017. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

US strike on Iran fuels Taiwan’s air defence debate and energy supply fears

Analysts say attacks on Iran illustrate Taipei’s need for integrated weapons systems, superior intelligence and electronic warfare.

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China-Middle East relations

Why the US-Israel war with Iran leaves Asian economies exposed

Mainland China imports vast amounts of oil from the Middle East but India, South Korea and others could fare worse, analysts say.

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US-China relations

Editorial | China now holds more cards ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

US Supreme Court reversal of Trump’s tariffs leaves China with lower tariffs and US deals with allies in doubt.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the opening of a study session on January 20. Photo: Xinhua
China-Japan relations

Opinion | Japan’s rightward shift puts it on a collision course with China

Any attempt by the Takaichi administration to revise the constitution and re-arm the country will ignite fierce opposition from Beijing.

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China's military weapons

What will first Type 055 destroyers for PLA East China Fleet mean for Taiwan?

Two of the guided-missile destroyers with hull numbers assigned have been spotted at a naval base on the East China Sea coast.

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Malaysia

‘Time for us’: the Malaysian rapper putting her country on the SXSW map

Zamaera is taking five Malaysian artists to Texas next month after asking herself a simple question: why doesn’t Malaysia have a stage yet?

Zamaera at last year’s South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. Photo: Handout
Defence

Taiwan is buying expensive US weapons systems, but are they the right ones?

The pricey arms packages are already facing legislative pushback. Now critics say they may be addressing the wrong threat.

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A National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams), of the kind approved by the US for sale to Taiwan. Photo: Handout
William Lai

As I see it | Taipei must break free of its abusive relationship with Washington

US President Donald Trump’s tariff blitz is not Taiwan’s fault, but the self-ruled island must come to see that Washington is unreliable.

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US-China relations

Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

Government departments are tasked with researching and assessing likely demands by the US leader as well as formulating possible concessions.

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Pop Mart

Pop Mart’s Merodi Hong Kong debut highlights challenges of sustaining IP success

Toymaker’s latest character launch draws tepid demand, raising questions about the company’s reliance on Labubu’s success.

The Merodi After School series features a mischievous little girl with the magical ability to talk to animals. Photo: Handout
United States

What does Taiwanese leader William Lai’s rare ‘mainland China’ reference mean?

Analysts cite pressure from Washington ahead of Donald Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi Jinping, where Taiwan is likely to be a focal point.

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Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has frequently referred to “China” rather than “mainland China” since taking office in 2024. Photo: AFP
China-Germany relations

Editorial | Merz’s Beijing trip shows that Germany realises it needs to work with China

Stable bilateral and China-EU relations can only be positive for global stability and sustainable development in an era of turbulence.

US-China relations

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

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