Topic: Taiwan Strait

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Despite thawing relationship, China still spying on Taiwan

Four suspected spies have been detained in China during the last fourteen months.
Caribbean nations get caught in China-Taiwan tug of war

More than half the countries with diplomatic ties to Taiwan are in Central America and the Caribbean. Some, like Grenada, are finding that switching allegiances can be expensive.
Global News Blog
Jeremy Lin: China and Taiwan compete for claims to NBA star

Sure, Jeremy Lin was born in California and struggles to speak Mandarin, but China and Taiwan both see themselves in the Knicks basketball star.
After free and fair Taiwan elections, democracy is still under China's siege

On Jan. 14, Taiwan re-elected President Ma in a resounding exercise of democracy. But without adjustments to his strategy toward a dominant China, Mr. Ma could leave a legacy of unacceptable options for his successors – and the Taiwanese people.
Taiwan and China to grow closer with Ma's reelection

The reelection of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou heralds closer ties with China, leaving one less trouble spot in East Asia for the US.
Taiwan elections: US must show respect for self-determination

As Taiwan presidential elections approach Jan. 14, the US has shown a preference for incumbent Ma Ying-jeou – who says he can work with China. The US should set aside wishful thinking about unification and respect the right of Taiwanese to decide their own future.
Bid for peace accord with China backfires on Taiwan's president

Democratic Taiwan supports closer trade and economic ties with China, analysts say, but many prefer the political status quo.
Getting it right in the Taiwan Strait

Taiwan's first female presidential candidate, Tsai Ing-wen, is running a close race against incumbent Ma Ying-jeou. Her campaign shows that East Asia’s most besieged democracy has not been quashed by anti-democratic regression at home or by intimidation from China.
Obama forfeits respect in Asia by letting Taiwan down – hard

Vice President Biden is expected to apprise China of the US decision to deny F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan. The dire implications of this should not be played down. It leaves Taiwan vulnerable and the US underpowered in Asia, as Washington looks to be walking away from democratic values.
Hard up for arms sales, Taiwan turns to its own defenses

The development in Taiwan’s weapons industry advances its long-term goal of greater military self-sufficiency as the US waffles under pressure from China on whether to continue selling advanced weapons to the island as it has done for decades.
Taiwan softens anti-China stance with moderate presidential candidate

Taiwan's traditionally pro-independence party nominated Tsai Ing-wen, who favors working with China on economic issues, for president.
Terrorism & Security
Taiwanese general accused in high-profile Chinese spy case

Taiwan General Lo Hsien-che is believed to be the highest-ranking military official to be accused of spying for China in decades.
Taiwan press freedoms are eroding, critics say

For the past two years, Freedom House has downgraded Taiwan’s rating in its annual report on global press freedom. Critics say it's common for government propaganda to masquerade as 'news.'
Gains of Taiwan's anti-unification DPP could rattle relations with China

Taiwan's municipal elections have revived the fortunes of the DPP, which the US views with skepticism and Beijing dislikes for its past views on independence and sovereignty.
Typhoon Megi hits Taiwan, causes rockslides

Typhoon Megi, after wreaking havoc on the Philippines, neared Taiwan. Rockslides blocked roads and stranded travelers after Megi hurled winds at 100 miles per hour across the island nation.
Taiwan President Ma: Taiwan will not be Hong Kong

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou discusses relations with mainland China, economic growth, the risk of armed conflict, and why Taipei will not bow to Beijing as Hong Kong has.
China, Taiwan forge strongest ties yet with sweeping trade deal

The latest China-Taiwan trade deal, signed Tuesday, avoided discussing sensitive political relations but signaled much closer cooperation between the longtime rivals.
China, Taiwan to sign breakthrough trade deal

China and Taiwan are completing an agreement to increase bilateral trade. Taiwan's government says the trade deal will boost economic growth; the opposition party says it will erode sovereignty.
Beyond Iraq and Afghanistan, does Washington see the lurking threats against America?

Though focused on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US must mind other trouble spots.
As Asia builds economic ties, Taiwan sidelined by China

Taiwan watches as Asian neighbors ink trade deals, lower tarrifs, and get access to Chinese loans for growth.
Outlook on China: peaceful partner or warmonger?

Economic difficulty could impel Beijing to sow regional conflict. American policies shouldn't add fuel to the fire.
For China and Taiwan, a welcome thaw

We are witnessing a maturing relationship in which the antagonists have agreed to put aside the issue that has divided them for 60 years in favor of getting practical benefits.
Terrorism & Security
Taiwan arms deal sours U.S.-China relations

In a foreign military sales program, the US has sold Taiwan $18.3 billion worth of weapons between 1950 and 2006.
China-Taiwan flight deal marks further thaw in ties

The agreement, made during the first formal talks since 1999, will allow weekend charter flights starting in July. Critics say that Taiwan has made too many concessions too quickly.
The very model for a modern China

While China used bullets in Tibet, Taiwan used ballots to register dissent in an election.