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PLA

The U.S. State Department has dropped the phrase "we do not support Taiwan independence" from a fact sheet on the democratic island on its website.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 16, 2025
U.S. drops website wording on not supporting Taiwan independence
The page has also added a reference to Taiwan's cooperation with a Pentagon technology and semiconductor development project.
China has accused Australia of deliberately provoking it with a patrol in the South China Sea this week.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 14, 2025
China accuses Australia of deliberate provocation in South China Sea
Australia defends its patrol after China condemns its actions in disputed waters, calling the mission a lawful operation.
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson conducts routine operations in the South China Sea last August. The vessel, along with survey ship USNS Bowditch, carried out a “routine” transit through the Taiwan Strait from Monday to Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 12, 2025
U.S. warship sails through Taiwan Strait for first time since Trump inauguration
China's military said the move had "sent the wrong signals" and "increased security risks” in the strategic waterway.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro says Manila's moves to beef up deterrence — including continuing to have a powerful U.S. missile system deployed on its territory — “are for the protection of our territorial integrity and sovereignty."
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 6, 2025
Philippines all in to get its own midrange missile system
The plan, as disclosed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, comes amid Chinese pressure to remove a powerful U.S. weapons system from its territory.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani speaks during a news conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2025
Japan conveys serious concerns during rare visit by Chinese military delegation
The visit by the group from the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command, which covers Taiwan and other areas in the East China Sea, was the first in five years.
Members of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army were visiting their Japanese counterparts and senior Japanese defense officials from Monday through Friday, Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Tuesday during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 14, 2025
Japan hosts Chinese military delegation in rare visit
The trip was organized after the Japanese and Chinese defense ministers met in November in Laos.
Airmen from the U.S. Air Force's 104th Fighter Wing complete post-flight checks on four F-15C fighter jets at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, in October 2023.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 10, 2025
U.S. falling behind on aircraft shelters in Asia as China’s missile arsenal grows
Beijing has also been making substantial investments to defend, expand and fortify its air bases.
Tencent, China’s most valuable company, is seen as a pioneer in China’s internet and private sector, creating a so-called everything app that Elon Musk has held up as a model for X.
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 8, 2025
U.S. blacklist of China’s tech giants risks even faster decoupling
The move, which experts say could backfire on Washington, comes amid an intensifying tech rivalry between the two countries.
A Tencent sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 6, 2023. The gaming and social media company has been added to a U.S. Defense Department list of firms it says work with China's military.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 7, 2025
U.S. adds Tencent and CATL to list of firms allegedly aiding Chinese military
The companies described their addition to the annual list as a mistake.
A Chinese military aircraft flies in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, in this screengrab of a video posted on Chinese social media on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 27, 2024
Images show new Chinese military aircraft designs, experts say
There was not enough detail for definitive conclusions regarding the two seemingly new Chinese military aircraft.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shakes hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Nov. 15 during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 26, 2024
Japan and China to continue delicate diplomatic dance in 2025
While Tokyo and Beijing have touted the importance of thawing ties, experts say a number of issues are likely to mean continued hedging by both sides.
Lawmakers from the main opposition Kuomintang try to break into parliament, where Democratic Progressive Party members spent the night to avoid the passing of the third reading of controversial bills, in Taipei on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 21, 2024
Clashes between Taiwan lawmakers and legal changes test President Lai
The political wrangling comes as U.S. President Joe Biden, who has vowed to defend the island from any Chinese invasion, prepares to leave the White House.
A visitor takes pictures near models of military equipment and a giant screen displaying Chinese leader Xi Jinping, at an exhibition at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing in October 2022.
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 19, 2024
Graft scandals disrupt China military modernization, Pentagon report says
At least 15 high-ranking Chinese military officers and defense industry executives were removed between July and December 2023, the report says.
A Taiwanese coast guard ship (left) monitors a Chinese coast guard ship a few nautical miles from Taiwan's northeastern coast on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Dec 13, 2024
China's 'drills that dare not speak their name' put Taiwan on alert
Analysts say that Beijing's activities, conducted in near silence and followed by an opaque statement, are meant to create confusion.
A Taiwanese Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet is seen to prepare for landing at an air force base in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 11, 2024
Taiwan detects 53 Chinese military aircraft around island as tensions rise
The tally is the highest for a single day since China’s military last held massive drills around Taiwan in October.
A Taiwanese Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet prepares to take off at an air force base in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 10, 2024
Taiwan says China naval deployment is largest in decades
China has deployed the largest number of naval ships to regional waters around Taiwan since the mid-1990s, the Defense Ministry in Taipei said Tuesday.
A giant TV screen shows news footage of military drills conducted in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan, by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, in Beijing on Oct. 14.
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 3, 2024
Taiwan watching Chinese carrier movements as drills could start over weekend
Beijing could launch large-scale drills to coincide with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's trip to the Pacific this week that includes visits to Hawaii and Guam.
China Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons toward a Philippine resupply vessel on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on March 5.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 3, 2024
China accuses Philippine ships of 'illegally gathering' at disputed reef
This came as the Philippine Coast Guard said a Chinese Navy helicopter had "harassed" Philippine fishing vessels in Iroquois Reef in the South China Sea.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te speaks by phone with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, during his visit to Honolulu on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 2, 2024
Taiwan's Lai talks 'China threats' with ex-U.S. House Speaker Pelosi
The pair discussed among other things "China's military threats toward Taiwan," a presidential spokesperson said, describing the 20-minute call as "warm and amicable."
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te is welcomed aboard his aircraft by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, upon arrival at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 1, 2024
China vows ‘resolute and forceful’ response as Taiwan leader visits Hawaii
The leader's “transit” comes ahead of visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the countries that still have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

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