Taiwan | DD News

May 21, 2026 12:18 PM

Taiwan says President Lai would be happy to talk to Trump

Taiwan said on Thursday President Lai Ching-te would be happy to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump, in what would be an unprecedented conversation between the leader of the world's biggest economy and the island claimed by China. It is still unclear when such talks might occur, but the decision could roil Washington's relations with Beijing and help resolve the fate of a massive arms package the United States is considering for democratically-governed Taiwan. U.S. and Taiwan presidents ha...

May 14, 2026 12:19 PM

What is ‘Taiwan independence’ and is Taiwan already independent?

China's Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump on Thursday that disagreement over Taiwan could send relations down a dangerous path and that "Taiwan independence" and cross-Taiwan Strait peace are as "irreconcilable as fire and water". Below are some questions and answers about what is meant by the term "Taiwan independence" and the positions of the Chinese, U.S. and Taiwanese governments. WHAT IS TAIWAN'S HISTORY AND FORMAL NAME TODAY? Previously known as Formosa, the island has been home to...

May 13, 2026 1:56 PM

Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, China warns on US arms sales to Taiwan

China reiterated its strong opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan on Wednesday, calling on Washington to honour its commitments ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's arrival for a summit in Beijing. The issue of democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, and weapons sales to Taipei is certain to be discussed during two days of meetings this week between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The U.S. is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend it...

May 11, 2026 9:11 AM

Taiwan ‘confident’ in US ties ahead of Trump visit to China

Taiwan is "confident" in the stable development of its ties with the U.S. and Washington has repeatedly said its policy towards the island will not change, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Monday of U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming China trip. Trump will be in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping where the issue of democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its territory, is certain to come up. China has never renounced the use o...

May 6, 2026 9:49 AM

Trump, Xi likely to discuss Taiwan next week, U.S. says

Taiwan is likely to be a topic of conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet next week, said Secretary of ⁠State Marco Rubio. Rubio told a White House press briefing that the United States doesn’t need any destabilizing events to occur with regard to Taiwan. "I'm sure Taiwan will be a topic of conversation; it always is,” Rubio said. “I think both countries understand that it is in neither one of our interests to see anything destab...

May 4, 2026 12:50 PM

US calls Taiwan ‘trusted and capable’ partner, praises its ties with Eswatini

Taiwan is a "trusted and capable" partner of the United States and Taipei's global relationships, including with Eswatini, provide significant benefits, the U.S. State Department said of President Lai Ching-te's trip to the southern African kingdom. Lai arrived in the former Swaziland on Saturday on a surprise visit after his government blamed Chinese pressure for nixing an earlier trip planned for last month by getting three Indian Ocean states to deny overflight permission for his aircraft. ...

April 27, 2026 9:23 AM

Taiwan says China sanctions on European arms makers will not hit weapons sourcing

Taiwan's defence minister downplayed on Monday the impact of Chinese sanctions on seven European companies over arms sales to the island, saying it was not the first time China had taken such action and it would not affect Taipei's ability to source weapons. China's Commerce Ministry banned exportson Friday of dual-use items to the seven companies over arms sales to Taiwan, placing them on its export control list, in a rare case of Europe-targeted, Taiwan-related sanctions. Taiwan, which China...

January 7, 2026 11:04 AM

China bans two Taiwanese ministers for alleged ‘independence activities’

Beijing has banned two Taiwanese ministers from entering China for alleged separatist activities related to "Taiwan independence", its Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday. The office described Taiwanese Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang and Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao as "die-hard Taiwan independence secessionists", and banned them as well as their relatives, from entry. The ban also extends to Hong Kong and Macau. Beijing claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and ...

January 2, 2026 12:08 PM

Taiwan vows to defend sovereignty after China’s military drill

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday the island is determined to defend its sovereignty and boost its defence in the face of China's increasing expansion, after Beijing fired rockets towards the island as part of military drills. The international community is watching to see whether the Taiwanese people possess the resolve to defend themselves, Lai said in a New Year's speech broadcast live from the presidential office in Taipei. The U.S. State Department said later on Thursday that...

November 27, 2025 2:04 PM

Japan will pay ‘painful price’ if steps out of line over Taiwan, China says

China's defence ministry said on Thursday that Japan will have to pay a "painful price" if it steps out of line over Taiwan, responding to Japanese plans to deploy missiles on an island some 100 km (62 miles) from Taiwan's coast. The remarks come amid the countries' worst diplomatic crisis in years, after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said this month a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on ...