In Beijing, Blinken and Xi stress need for continued U.S.-China dialogue to avoid “any miscommunications”

Beijing — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese officials, warning of the dangers of misunderstandings and miscalculations as the United States and China butted heads over a number of contentious bilateral, regional and global issues. Blinken met with Xi in Beijing after holding talks with … Read more

Hong Kong government halt on production of solid waste disposal scheme bags sparks calls for introduction to be delayed ‘for at least a year’

The news reignited speculation that the government was paving the way for a further delay to the controversial scheme, which was designed to provide incentives for the public to become more aware of waste disposal volumes by requiring them to buy special bags produced in a variety of sizes. The Environmental Protection Department confirmed to … Read more

Taiwan’s president-elect calls for ‘healthy dialogues’ with Beijing in party-to-party talks

His remarks came amid soaring cross-strait tensions. Beijing has denounced Lai as a “troublemaker” and an “obstinate separatist”, and has tried to downplay the significance of the ruling party’s electoral victory. The DPP won just 40 per cent of the ballot and lost its majority in the legislature. Earlier this month, Taiwan’s former leader Ma … Read more

Pro-China Philippine governor, Manuel Mamba, who opposes US drills, removed from office for illegal use of election funds

A provincial governor in the Philippines known for his pro-China views and opposition to cooperation with the US has been summarily tossed out of office, due to illegal use of funds during an election, just as joint military exercises involving Manila and Washington take place in his province. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on … Read more

Biden signs Israel, Ukraine, TikTok bill into law

President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law measures to provide aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as to compel Chinese TikTok parent company ByteDance to sell the social media platform or face a national ban. Biden’s official approval ends a six-month saga of tense political battles on Capitol Hill that led to a deadlock … Read more

Taiwan rattled by more than 200 aftershocks, no major damage reported

Taiwan’s quake-hit eastern county of Hualien has been rattled by more than 200 aftershocks, but only minor damage has been reported and no casualties. Largely rural and sparsely populated Hualien was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on April 3 that killed at least 17 people, and there have been more than 1000 aftershocks since. … Read more

Middle East conflict: Israeli delegation visits Taiwan in show of commitment to ties as war continues at home

“With your support, bilateral interactions have recently been very close,” Tsai said at a meeting with the delegation. During their 30-year informal relationship, Taiwan and Israel have signed 33 agreements to strengthen exchanges in education, public health and other areas, including a tourism agreement signed last month. 03:47 World leaders call for de-escalation after Iran … Read more

Senate advances aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, TikTok bill

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., conducts a news conference after the senate luncheons in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.  Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images The Senate on Tuesday advanced a package to provide billions in aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, sending the legislation on a glide … Read more

Big aftershocks rock Hualien county in Taiwan weeks after 7.2 earthquake

Taiwan’s Hualien county was hit by a series of earthquakes – with the highest magnitude at 6.3 – in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The county, along the east coast of the island, experienced the two strongest shocks in about six minutes, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration which recorded a 6.0-magnitude quake at … Read more

Taiwan’s east coast hit by 6.0 magnitude earthquake, shocks felt in nation’s capital Taipei

More than 80 earthquakes, the strongest with a 6.0 magnitude, have struck Taiwan’s east coast with some causing buildings to shake in the capital Taipei, the island’s weather administration said. The 6.0 magnitude quake was recorded at a depth of 10km and struck about 2.30am AEST on Tuesday, according to Geoscience Australia. The quakes on … Read more