U.S. Admiral Emphasizes “Hellscape” Strategy with Regards to Taiwan Defense
A top U.S. naval officer, Admiral Samuel Paparo, told the press at the International Institue for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue Summit that the United States has plans to turn the Taiwan Strait into an “unmanned hellscape” if faced with a Chinese invasion (South China Morning Post)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Expresses Support for Closer Ties With Taiwan
Earlier that day, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te hailed the “fast-growing” bilateral partnership in a post congratulating Modi on his reelection; China’s foreign ministry said it protested to India over the statement (Bloomberg)
U.S., China Defense Chiefs Hold Rare Talks in Singapore
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met for seventy-five minutes today with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss security issues in Taiwan, Ukraine, and the Middle East; a spokesperson for the Chinese defense ministry called the talks “practical and constructive,” while a U.S. statement signaled continuing differences about Chinese military activity around Taiwan and China’s “role in supporting Russia’s defense industrial base” (Bloomberg)
Bipartisan Group of U.S. Lawmakers Make Five-Day Visit to Taiwan
Representative Andy Barr (R-KY), co-chair of the Taiwan caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, emphasized U.S. economic, diplomatic, and military commitments to Taiwan, as well as U.S. resolve to “maintain the status quo and peace in the Taiwan Strait;” Beijing expressed strong opposition to the group’s visit, which began on Sunday (AP)
Separately, Taiwan legislators passed changes today that could curb the authority of the president, prompting thousands of people to demonstrate against the measure (Bloomberg)
China Announces Military Drills Around Taiwan as ‘Punishment’ Following Inauguration
A Chinese military spokesperson said today that the two-day drills encircling Taiwan were “punishment” for “separatist acts;” they follow the Sunday inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who said in his speech that China and Taiwan “are not subordinate to each other” (Nikkei)
Taiwan’s defense ministry said it “expressed regret for such irrational provocations” (RFA)
Bloomberg: ASML, TSMC Can Diasble Advanced Chipmaking Machines If China Invades Taiwan
Roughly 90 percent of the world’s most sophisticated chips are made in Taiwan; spokespeople for the two companies, the Dutch trade ministry, the White House National Security Council, and U.S. Commerce and Defense Departments did not comment on the story (Bloomberg).
Taiwan’s President Pledges to Seek Peace, Calls on China to Stop Threats at Inauguration
Lai Ching-te called for the joint pursuit of peace with China in his inaugural address as president today, while denouncing threats from Beijing and pledging to raise Taiwan’s “defense awareness;” Lai proposed that Taiwan and China resume educational and tourism exchanges (VOA)
He also promised to deepen international cooperation and to “continue using Taiwan’s democratic vitality as a force for good” (BBC)
China Increases Maritime Activity Ahead of Presidential Inauguration in Taiwan
China added patrols near the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen Islands and introduced new legal measures to punish “separatists” in the last week; an unofficial U.S. delegation is due to attend Lai Ching-te’s swearing-in, in line with longstanding practice (Nikkei)
Philippines, United States Hold Naval Exercise Near Taiwan
The countries simulated their response to an invasion of the northern Philippine island of Itbayat, near Taiwan, as part of joint military drills today; the United States is helping to build a warehouse to upgrade infrastructure on the island (Bloomberg)
President-Elect Lai Ching-te Names New Foreign and Defense Ministers
The incoming ministers previously served in senior roles in the current presidential administration; Lai will assume Taiwan’s presidency on May 20 (AP)
Former President Ma Ying-jeou Visits Beijing for Rare Meeting
Chinese President Xi Jinping said people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of “one China;” Ma’s party promotes closer ties with Beijing (CNN)
Taiwan’s President Appoints New Premier, More Cabinet Member Appointments Underway
President-elect Lai Ching-te, whose inauguration will take place on May 20, appointed the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) former Chairman Cho Jung-tai as his premier (Reuters)
Biden, Xi Talk Bilateral Relations
The nearly two-hour phone conversation between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday covered topics including U.S. curbs on Chinese semiconductor technology, fentanyl, U.S. support for Taiwan, and North Korea’s nuclear posture; it was the leaders’ first time speaking since November and is part of ongoing attempts to defuse tensions (CNN)
Meanwhile, at least nine people were killed, and several hundred were injured today in Taiwan’s largest earthquake since 1999; the 7.4-magnitude seismic rift triggered tsunami warnings as far away as Japan and the Philippines and prompted chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to evacuate several factories (WaPo)
China Welcomes Taiwan’s Former President
Former President Ma Ying-jeou’s eleven-day trip to mainland China comes as the island’s new president-elect from the Democratic Progressive Party is expected to take office on May 20 (NYT)
Bipartisan U.S. House Delegation Visits Taiwan
Five U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwan’s president and president-elect today, pledging that the United States will stand by Taiwan amid pressure from China; the delegates are part of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (AP)
Chinese Coast Guard Boards Taiwanese Tourist Boat
Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council Minister claimed the incident on Kinmen Archipelago, which lasted thirty-two minutes, “created panic among the people” (AP)
U.S. Senate Passes $95.3 Billion Aid Bill for Israel, Taiwan, Ukraine
The bill was approved today by a vote of 70–29 after a rare overnight session of debate; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) worked closely on the legislation (AP)
Guatemala Considers Establishing Trade Ties With China
Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez asserted Guatemala would maintain its existing formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but emphasized President Bernardo Arévalo’s willingness to establish a new trade relationship with the People’s Republic of China (Reuters)
Taiwanese Firm to Build Second Chip Factory in Japan
Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company will begin construction on the $7 billion plant this year, which is due to start operating by the end of 2027; Japan has tried to rebuild its position as a leading chipmaker amid a decline in its sector and growing U.S.-China trade tensions (Reuters)
Taiwan’s Legislature Elects Speaker From Opposition Party
Han Kuo-yu is from a party that seeks improved ties with China; his election may portend tough battles over defense spending (Nikkei)
Though the ruling Democratic Progressive Party held on to Taiwan’s presidency in last month’s election, it lost seats in the legislature (Reuters)
China Claims United States Could Abandon Taiwan If Trump Retakes Presidency
A spokesperson for Beijing suggested that former President Trump’s potential victory in the presidential election could lead the United States to abandon Taiwan (TIME)
Taiwan Launches Military Drills Following Presidential Election
The military will stage naval and warplane displays later in the week to boost public confidence and display the island’s ability to defend itself against threats by China (AP)
Taiwan Extends Conscription Period Due to China Threat
New military recruits began serving (Reuters) a one-year compulsory military service today for the first time; in late 2022, Taiwan’s president announced the mandatory conscription period would extend from four months due to rising tensions with China (Reuters)
Former U.S. Officials Meet With Taiwanese President-Elect
A U.S. delegation, including senior officials from the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations, met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and President-Elect William Lai in Taipei; one former U.S. official said the United States’ commitment to Taiwan was “rock solid” (NBC)
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party won a third consecutive presidency but lost control of the legislature (Axios)
Taiwan Prepares for Presidential, Legislative Elections
Public debate ahead of tomorrow’s elections has focused on relations with China and the state of Taiwan’s economy, which grew by an estimated 1.4 percent last year (DW)
The candidates’ campaigns in what polls have suggested could be a tight race will end at midnight tonight (AP)