Taiwan's parliament has approved a $25 billion defense spending bill that opposition lawmakers say will be used for U.S. weapons, following months of political wrangling. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/09/asia-pacific/taiwan-defense-budget-passes-parliament/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #taiwan #drones #pla #china #defense #budgets #laichingte #donaldtrump #xijinping #us
After months of wrangling, Taiwan lawmakers OK $25 billion defense spending bill

The spending, which opposition lawmakers say will be used for U.S. weapons, falls well short of the government's proposed budget of nearly $40 billion.

The Japan Times

When international events are cancelled because Taiwanese participants may attend, what does that mean for global civil society?

Our latest episode explores the wider implications of China’s pressure campaigns beyond its borders.

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/4pOVQ5Cz501p8Kf0MFcDkT?si=gmYJ2BvjQtaCD4JGE3ZdTg

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China's Global Pressure Campaign to Isolate Taiwan

Podcast Episode · Perspectives with Neilo · May 7 · 27m

Apple Podcasts
Taiwan leader defies China after Eswatini trip and reasserts island's global role http://newsfeed.facilit8.network/TSNH8q #Taiwan #China #Eswatini #LaiChingTe #GlobalEngagement
Taiwan has a right to engage with the world and no country can stop that, President Lai Ching-te told Eswatini's king after ​he arrived for a surprise trip that Taipei says Beijing tried to ‌stop. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/03/asia-pacific/politics/taiwan-president-defiant-eswatini-trip/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #taiwan #laichingte #eswatini #china
Taiwan president defiant as begins Eswatini trip; China calls him a 'rat'

Last ⁠month, Taiwan said China had forced three Indian Ocean countries to pull overflight permission for ⁠Lai's aircraft to travel to Eswatini.

The Japan Times
Taiwan’s Lai makes Eswatini visit despite travel disruption http://newsfeed.facilit8.network/TSL5lq #Taiwan #Eswatini #LaiChingte #Diplomacy #TravelNews
The top U.S. diplomat in Taiwan has pressed the island's opposition-majority parliament to pass a "comprehensive" defense budget as talks have stalled. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/27/asia-pacific/politics/us-taiwan-parliament-defense-budget/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #us #taiwan #china #defense #laichingte
U.S. presses Taiwan parliament to pass 'comprehensive' defense budget

Taiwan's government has said delays in passing the budget could mean Taiwan risks losing its place in the production and delivery queue for U.S. weapons.

The Japan Times
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has postponed an official trip to Eswatini, the island's only diplomatic ally in Africa, after several countries revoked overflight permits following "intense pressure" from China. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/22/asia-pacific/politics/taiwan-lai-eswatini-meeting-china/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #taiwan #laichingte #eswatini #africa #china
Taiwan leader postpones Eswatini trip after overflight permits revoked

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was due to visit Eswatini from April 22 to 26 for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession and his 58th birthday.

The Japan Times
Taiwan president postpones Eswatini trip after claims of China pressure http://newsfeed.facilit8.network/TS8Sr2 #Taiwan #Eswatini #LaiChingTe #ChinaPressure #AfricanPolitics
Taiwan's opposition leader arrived in China on Tuesday for a "peace" mission and possible meeting with leader Xi Jinping, as Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te reiterated he was open for talks. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/07/asia-pacific/politics/taiwan-kuomintang-leader-china-arrival/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #china #taiwan #pla #laichingte #xijinping #donaldtrump
Taiwan opposition chief arrives for China 'peace' mission as president calls for talks

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the ​Kuomintang — Taiwan's largest opposition party — could meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The Japan Times
What the war in Iran means for Japan and Indo-Pacific security

Japan's technological and industrial strategy is becoming a cornerstone of Taiwan's security environment.

The Japan Times