The Associated Press

This is a test for Consumer Pay Call to Action

CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

Two Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets fly with two U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber aircraft during a joint patrol and training over the South China Sea on Tuesday, Feb.4, 2025.( Philippine Air Force via AP)
A flurry of international naval drills around the Philippines prompts complaints from Beijing
A flurry of naval drills surrounding the Philippines involving the United States and its partners has prompted complaints from Beijing, which claims the entire South China Sea for itself and accuses Manila of colluding with others to destabilize the region.
 
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, an aerial drone photo shows China's first Type 054B frigate on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 at a military port in Qingdao, China (Pu Haiyang/Xinhua via AP)
China’s navy commissions new-generation frigate as competition rises with US and others
China has commissioned a new-generation frigate as competition rises with the U.S. and other regional powers, saying the ship will “play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness” of its forces.
 
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, left, meets with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
Vice President Han Zheng, China’s representative at Trump’s inauguration, is a trusted adviser to Xi
Vice President Han Zheng, China’s representative at Donald Trump’s inauguration, is a trusted adviser to President Xi Jinping.
 
People walk past a sculpture of the Chinese Communist Party flag at the Museum of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing on Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
China’s population falls for a third straight year, posing challenges for its government and economy
China’s population has fallen for the third straight year, pointing to further demographic challenges for the world’s second most populous nation that is now facing both an aging population and an emerging shortage of working age people able to support their elders.
 
Deck crew of Taiwanese navy stand by on a Taiwan's domestically made Tuo Chiang patrol ship during a simulated attack drill off Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwan’s spy agency says China is working with gangs, shell companies to gain intelligence on Taiwan
Taiwan’s intelligence bureau says China’s main spy agency is working with criminal gangs, shell companies and other dubious partners to gain intelligence on Taiwan’s defenses, resulting in a major rise in those arrested for alleged espionage on the island.
 
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescue workers conduct search and rescue for survivors in the aftermath of an earthquake in Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze, southwestern China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Jigme Dorje/Xinhua via AP)
Tents arrive for survivors of a quake that killed 126 in freezing, high-altitude Tibet
Rescuers in the freezing, high-altitude Tibet region in western China searched a second day for any remaining victims of a deadly earthquake that struck near a holy city for Tibetan Buddhists, before shifting their focus to resettling the survivors.
 
Taiwan says China is redoubling efforts to undermine democracy with disinformation
Taiwan’s government says China is redoubling efforts to undermine confidence in the self-governing island’s democracy with the spread of disinformation, especially online.
 
Numerous children injured by a vehicle outside an elementary school in central China
Chinese state media say numerous children were injured by a vehicle outside an elementary school in central China’s Hunan province.
 
FILE- A rainbow forms over the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
Taiwan rejects South African demand to move its representative office from capital
Taiwan has rejected South Africa’s demand that it move its representative office in the country from the capital, Pretoria, to the commercial center of Johannesburg.
 
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te waves during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwan celebrates its National Day holiday against a background of Chinese threats
Taiwan celebrated its National Day holiday against the background of threats from China, which claims the self-governing island republic as its own territory.
 
FILE - Spectators wave Chinese flags as military vehicles carrying DF-41 nuclear ballistic missiles roll during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
China test-fires an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean
China has test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. The Defense Ministry said the ICBM launched Wednesday morning carried a dummy warhead and fell into the targeted area.
 
This photo shows the Unit 2 reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, northern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan and China reach deal over Fukushima water release and move closer to resolving seafood ban
Japan and China said Friday they have reached a deal toward resolving their disputes over the discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea and Beijing’s ban on Japanese seafood.
 
FILE - People buy fruit at a stall in Taipei, Taiwan, on Sept. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Fruit and seafood are the latest front in escalating Taiwan-China tensions
Taiwan says China’s ban on imports of its fruit, vegetables, seafood and other goods violate trade rules, in the latest ratcheting up of tensions between the self-governing island republic and its massive neighbor, which has vowed to annex Taiwan by force.
 
FILE - Taiwan's Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks at the presidential debates at Taiwan Public Television Service in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Pei Chen, Pool, File)
Former Taiwan presidential candidate suspected in corruption case is sent back to jail
A former Taiwanese presidential candidate who was once mayor of the capital Taipei has been returned to custody amid a sprawling corruption scandal.
 
US envoy to Taiwan declares ties ‘rock solid’ amid military threats from China
The top U.S. envoy to Taiwan has declared support for the island as “rock-solid, principled, and bipartisan.” Raymond F.
 
FILE - Taiwan's Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks at the presidential debates at Taiwan Public Television Service in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Pei Chen, Pool, File)
Taiwan investigators to rule on further detention of former presidential candidate amid graft probe
Taiwan investigators are to rule on whether to further detain a former presidential candidate amid graft allegations. Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party was held overnight and was again questioned at a hearing extending into Monday morning.
 
In this image taken from handout video provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship with bow number 5205, right, collides with Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua near the Sabina Shoal at the disputed South China Sea on Saturday Aug. 31, 2024. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
Chinese and Philippine vessels collide at a disputed atoll and governments trade accusations
China and the Philippines have accused each other of causing a collision between their two vessels in the latest flareup of tensions over disputed waters and maritime features in the South China Sea.
 
People walk through a street flooded from monsoon rains worsened by offshore typhoon Gaemi on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan)
A typhoon kills 3 as it nears Taiwan. It killed 13 in the Philippines, where people plead for rescue
A typhoon killed has three people in Taiwan as it approaches the island where air travelers have rushed to board remaining overseas flights.
 
An air force F-16V fighter aircraft takes off during the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwan’s air force cancels drills as typhoon approaches. Naval and land exercises to continue
An approaching typhoon has prompted the cancellation of air force drills off Taiwan’s east coast. But naval and land exercises are set to continue in other parts of the self-governing island democracy, which China threatens to invade.
 
Coastal Control Division Chief Liao Yun-Hung talks about a fishing boat intercepted by Chinese vessels Tuesday night, during a news conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Taiwan is calling for the release of a fishing boat after it was boarded by China''s coast guard and steered to a port in mainland China on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwan says it was warned by China to not interfere in the detention of Taiwanese boat crew
Taiwan says China warned its coast guard against interfering in the detention of a Taiwanese fishing boat in what is seen as Beijing’s latest attempt to assert its territorial claims in the Taiwan Strait.
 
In this photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, Taiwan guided missile destroyer Ma Kong DDG1805, left, monitors Chinese guided missile destroyer Xi'an DDG15, right, near Taiwan on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Taiwan tracked dozens of Chinese warplanes and navy vessels off its coast Friday on the second day of a large exercise China's People's Liberation Army held in response to the inauguration of the island's new leadership. (Taiwan Ministry of National Defense via AP)
China sends dozens of warplanes and ships near Taiwan to show its anger over island’s new leaders
China has sent dozens of warplanes and navy vessels off Taiwan’s coast on the second day of a large exercise launched to show its anger over the island’s inauguration of new leaders who refuse to accept Beijing’s insistence that Taiwan is part of China.
 
In this photo released by the Taiwan Coast Guard, a Chinese navy vessel identified as the Chinese Missile Frigate FFG 548 is seen near the Pengjia Islet north of Taiwan on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Taiwan scrambled jets and put missile, naval and land units on alert Thursday over Chinese military exercises being conducted around the self-governing island democracy where a new president took office this week. (Taiwan Coast Guard via AP)
Taiwan scrambles jets and puts missile, naval and land units on alert over China’s military drills
Taiwan says it has scrambled jets and put missile, naval and land units on alert over drills China has announced around the self-governing island democracy.
 
Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te, right, and former President Tsai Ing-wen wave during Lai's inauguration ceremonies in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday, May 20, 2024. Lai in his inauguration speech has urged China to stop its military intimidation against the self-governed island Beijing claims as its own territory. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwan’s new President Lai in his inauguration speech urges China to stop its military intimidation
Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, has said in his inauguration speech that he seeks peace with China and urged it to stop its military threats against the self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory.
 
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at his ministry in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwan’s foreign minister says China and Russia are supporting each other’s ‘expansionism’
Russia and China helped each other expand their territorial reach, and democracies must push back against authoritarian states that threaten their rights and sovereignty, Taiwan’s outgoing foreign minister, Joseph Wu, said in an interview with The Associated Press.
 
In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) conducts routine underway operations while transiting through the Taiwan Strait Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Ismael Martinez/U.S. Navy via AP)
China criticizes US for ship’s passage through Taiwan Strait weeks before new leader takes office
China’s military is accusing the U.S. of playing up for maximum political effect its warship’s passage through the Taiwan Strait.
 
FILE - Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4, left, is hit by two Chinese coast guard water canons as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on March 5, 2024. For the first time, China has publicized what it claims is an unwritten 2016 agreement with the Philippines over access to South China Sea islands. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
China publicizes for the first time what it claims is a 2016 agreement with Philippines
China has publicized for the first time what it claims is an unwritten 2016 agreement with the Philippines over access to South China Sea islands.
 
In this photo provided by China's Xinhua News Agency, a Long March-5 rocket, carrying the Chang'e-6 spacecraft, blasts off from its launchpad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Friday, May 3, 2024. China on Friday launched a lunar probe to land on the far side of the moon and return with samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side. (Guo Cheng/Xinhua via AP)
China sends a probe to get samples from the less-explored far side of the moon
China has launched a lunar probe to land on the far side of the moon and return with samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
 
FILE- French President Emmanuel Macron, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping after meeting the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, April 6, 2023. Xi will start his Europe tour in Paris on May 6-7, 2024, meeting with Macron, who has been stressing the idea of European strategic autonomy from the U.S. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool, File)
As China’s Xi Jinping visits Europe, Ukraine, trade and investment are likely to top the agenda
Ukraine, trade and investment are expected to dominate Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s first trip to Europe in five years, which starts in France on Monday.
 
In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Lisa McClain, left, secretary-general of the Republican Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives meets with Taiwan President-elect and Vice President Lai Ching-te in Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. McClain and Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee jointly led a cross-party group of lawmakers to visit Taiwan from April 23 to 25 . Members also include Mark Alford, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)
$8 billion US military aid package to Taiwan will ‘boost confidence’ in region: president-elect
Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te says an $8 billion defense package approved by the U.S. House over the weekend will “strengthen the deterrence against authoritarianism in the West Pacific ally chain,” in a reference to key rival China.
 
Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, speaks at the Western Pacific Navy Symposium held in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province on Monday, April 22, 2024. Zhang, China's second-ranking military leader under Xi Jinping, said China committed to solve maritime disputes through dialogue but warned that International law could not be distorted. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Chinese general takes a harsh line on Taiwan and other disputes at an international naval gathering
One of China’s top military leaders has taken a harsh line on regional territorial disputes. He told an international naval gathering that China would strike back with force if its interests came under threat.
 
Load More