CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

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.
 
FILE - A U.S. P-8A Poseidon reconaissance plane flies near Chinese structures and buildings on the man-made Fiery Cross Reef at the Spratlys group of islands in the South China Sea are seen on March 20, 2022. The U.S. 7th Fleet says a Navy P-8A Poseidon flew through the Taiwan Strait dividing China from the self-governing island democracy and close U.S. partner on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, a day after the U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs held their first talks since Nov. 2022 in an effort to reduce regional tensions. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
US navy flies aircraft through the Taiwan Strait a day after US-China defense chiefs hold rare talks
The U.S. 7th Fleet says a Navy P-8A Poseidon has flown through the Taiwan Strait. The flight on Wednesday came a day after U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs held their first talks since November 2022.
 
Workers begin demolition of collapsed building, two days after a powerful earthquake struck the city, in Hualien City, eastern Taiwan, Friday, April 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Rescue teams in Taiwan searching for family feared trapped in rockslide following earthquake
Rescue teams are searching for a family of five feared trapped in a rockslide following Taiwan’s biggest earthquake in 25 years. The quake Wednesday left at least 12 dead.
 
Rescue workers stand near the site of a leaning building in the aftermath of an earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Taiwan's strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island during the morning rush hour Wednesday. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai)
Fierce earthquake rattles Taiwan, killing 9 and injuring more than 1,000
The most powerful earthquake to rock Taiwan in a quarter-century killed nine people, stranded dozens of workers at quarries, and sent some residents scrambling out the windows of damaged buildings.
 
In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen inspects the commissioning of two new navy ships in the northern Taiwan port of Suao on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Taiwan has commissioned two new navy ships as a safeguard against the rising threat from China, which has been ratcheting up its naval and air force missions around the island that it claims as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. The pair of Tuo Chiang class corvettes completes the first order of six of the domestically produced catamarans with stealth capabilities. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)
Taiwan commissions 2 new navy ships as safeguards against rising threat from China
Taiwan has commissioned two new navy ships as a safeguard against the rising threat from China, which has been ratcheting up its naval and air force missions around the island that it claims as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary.
 
Chinese President Xi Jinping, on screen, listens to the opening remark by Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
China raises defense budget by 7.2% as it pushes for global heft and regional tensions continue
China is increasing its defense budget by 7.2% this year, similar to last year’s rise. At $222 billion, it is already the world’s second-highest behind the United States.
 
A Chinese Coast Guard ship is docked near a China Customs building in Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian province on Dec. 26, 2023. Taiwan on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 protested China's boarding of a tourist boat, as tensions rise around the Kinmen archipelago, which lies a short distance off China's coast but is controlled by Taiwan. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Taiwan protests after China boards a tourist boat near Kinmen Island
Taiwan is protesting China’s boarding of a tourist boat as tensions rise around the Kinmen archipelago, which lies just off the Chinese coast but is controlled by Taiwan.
 
Worshippers go to pray at a temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. Each year is named after one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac in a repeating cycle, with this year being the Year of the Dragon. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
The Lunar New Year of the Dragon flames colorful festivities across Asian nations and communities
With fireworks, feasts and red envelopes stuffed with cash for the kids, numerous Asian nations and overseas communities have welcomed the arrival of the Lunar New Year.
 
Ships from US, Australia and Japan conduct joint drills in South China Sea in defiance of Beijing
Warships from the U.S., Australia and Japan have held joint drills in the South China Sea in defiance of Beijing, which claims sovereignty over virtually the entire strategic waterway.
 
Member of Taiwan’s pro-unification Nationalists elected speaker in a consolation prize for China
A member of Taiwan’s pro-unification Nationalists has been elected speaker of the island’s legislature.
 
Members of the Taiwanese Marines stand guard on the assault craft at Zouying Navy Base in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Taiwan is holding spring military drills following its recent presidential election and amid threats from China, which claims the island as its own territory that it is determined to annex, possibly by force. (AP Photo/Christopher Bodeen)
Taiwan holds military drills to defend against the threat of a Chinese invasion
Chinese warships sail in waters around Taiwan and warplanes fly toward the island almost every day before turning back. What if they suddenly attacked? Taiwan’s military is holding drills at sea and in the air on Wednesday to practice defending against such a surprise attack. Journalists observed the training from fast boats that escorted a mine-laying ship. China claims the self-governing island as its territory and says it must come under Beijing’s control. The long-running divide is a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, with fears that America could get pulled into a war if hostilities were to break out. Also Tuesday, Taiwan’s government protested after China’s aviation authority announced changes to a passenger flight path that is expected to bring planes closer to the island.
 
An E-2 early warning aircraft flies near an airbase in southern Taiwan's Pingtung county on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Taiwan is holding spring military drills following its recent presidential election and amid threats from China, which claims the island as its own territory that it is determined to annex, possibly by force.(AP Photo/Johnson Lai)
Taiwan launches spring military drills following presidential election amid China threats
Taiwan is holding spring military drills following its recent presidential election and amid threats from China, which claims the island as its own territory that it is determined to annex, possibly by force.
 
In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, center exchange gifts with U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., left and Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif, right in Taipei, Taiwan on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. The co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus are making their first trip to the island after an independence-leaning party won a third straight term in the island's presidential elections this month. arrived Wednesday. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)
A US congressional delegation affirms bipartisan support for Taiwan in first visit since election
A bipartisan delegation from the United States Congress is reaffirming support for Taiwan following its election of a new president.
 
FILE - Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., speaks during the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on the administration foreign policy priorities on Capitol Hill on March 10, 2021, in Washington. The co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan caucus began a visit to Taipei Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 on the first trip by U.S. lawmakers to the island following its presidential election earlier this month that saw the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party take a third term in office. (Ting Shen/Pool Photo via AP, File)
US congressional delegation makes first trip to Taiwan after island’s presidential election
The co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus are making their first trip to the island after an independence-leaning party won a third straight term in the island’s presidential elections this month. U.S. Reps.
 
FILE - Two soldiers fold the national flag during the daily flag ceremony in Liberty Square of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, on July 30, 2022. Taiwan said Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 that six Chinese balloons either flew over the island or through airspace just north of it, while Chinese warplanes and navy ships were also detected in the area. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File)
Taiwan says 6 Chinese balloons flew through its airspace and warplanes and ships also detected
Taiwan says six Chinese balloons either flew over the island or through airspace just north of it, while Chinese warplanes and navy ships were also detected in the area.
 
Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, left, looks on as former U.S. National security advisor Stephen Hadley speaks during a meeting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, unseen, at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Taiwan on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (ADen Hsu/Pool Photo via AP)
US delegation praises Taiwan’s democracy after pro-independence presidential candidate wins election
Retired U.S. officials have met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and praised the island’s democratic processes under which it elected a new president and legislature over the weekend in defiance of China’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan and threat to annex it by military force.
 
Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, left, celebrates his victory with running mate Bi-khim Hsiao in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. The Ruling-party candidate has emerged victorious in Taiwan's presidential election and his opponents have conceded. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
The ruling-party candidate strongly opposed by China wins Taiwan’s presidential election
Ruling-party candidate Lai Ching-te has emerged victorious in Taiwan’s presidential election and his opponents have conceded. Beijing strongly opposes Lai and the result will determine the trajectory of relations with China over the next four years.
 
Staff prepare materials for polling booth in New Taipei, Taiwan on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 ahead of the presidential election on Saturday. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Taiwan prepares to elect a president and legislature in what’s seen as a test of control with China
Taiwanese are preparing to elect a new president and legislature Saturday in what many see as a test of control with China which claims the self-governing island republic as its own.
 
Protesters against the Chinese Communist Party dress up to depict authoritarian China and Winnie the Pooh representing Chinese President Xi Jinping, dressed as an emperor, and holding a Taiwan island cardboard cutout colored with the Taiwan flag in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. Using military threats, diplomatic pressure, fake news and financial inducements for politicians, China is deploying a broad strategy to influence voters in Taiwan’s elections to pick candidates who favor unification. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
With threats, pressure and financial lures, China seen as aiming to influence Taiwan’s elections
China is being accused of using military threats, diplomatic pressure and fake news in a broad strategy to influence voters in Taiwan’s elections to pick candidates who favor unification.
 
Taiwan Vice President and Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate William Lai, left, and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim wave to the press during an international press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 13. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwan presidential candidate Lai says he is willing to reopen talks with China
Taiwan’s leading presidential candidate William Lai says he hopes for a reopening of dialogue with China following almost eight years of Beijing’s near-complete refusal to communicate with leaders of the self-governing island it considers its own territory.
 
Ko Wen-je, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at his campaign office in Xiangshan District, southwest Hsinchu City, Taiwan, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Taiwan’s presidential candidate Ko Wen-je seeks a middle ground with China, attracting young voters
With Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections less than two weeks away, the island’s alternative party candidate and chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party, Ko Wen-je, is promoting a policy of patience toward China, which has been upping its threat to annex the island by force.
 
China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Wu Qian speaks to reporters at a monthly briefing in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Weeks before Taiwan holds elections for its president and legislature, China renewed its threat to use military force to annex the self-governing island democracy it claims as its own territory. (AP Photo/Emily Wang Fujiyama)
China reaffirms its military threats against Taiwan weeks before the island’s presidential election
Weeks before Taiwan holds elections for its president and legislature, China has renewed its threat to use military force to annex the self-governing island democracy it claims as its own territory.
 
FILE - Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of Taiwan's Nationalist Party congress in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on July 23, 2023. A leader of Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party is visiting rival China less than one month before the self-governing island republic holds elections for president and the legislature under intense pressure from Beijing. In a news release Thursday, Dec. 14, the party — also known as the Kuomintang or KMT — said vice chair Andrew Hsia and his delegation departed for China on Wednesday at the invitation of Taiwanese businesspeople. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File)
A leader of Taiwan’s Nationalist Party visits China as the island’s presidential election looms
A leader of Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party is visiting rival China less than one month before the self-governing island republic holds elections for president and the legislature.
 
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