Lai, who returned on Friday from a weeklong visit to three of Taipei’s Pacific allies, maintained a relatively low profile during his layovers in the US territories, meeting only local leaders and politicians. Lai was greeted on his arrival in Honolulu last Saturday by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT),…
Beijing has vowed to take “resolute countermeasures” to defend its sovereignty following US approval of US$385 million in arms sales to Taiwan. The foreign ministry said on Sunday that the US decision was an infringement of China’s sovereignty and would harm relations between the two countries. It urged the United States to immediately stop arming…
The United States is set to host Taiwan President Lai Ching-te during stopovers in Hawaii and Guam as part of the first international trip of his tenure, defying protests from China. Lai, who took office in May, will depart on Saturday for a two-night stop in Hawaii before heading to the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu,…
The United States has upgraded its naval power to keep China at bay by deploying an advanced nuclear-powered submarine to a key Pacific Ocean strategic outpost. The USS Minnesota, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, and about 140 sailors arrived at their new home at Naval Base Guam on Tuesday. The U.S. Navy said it stationed the…
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to a PLA Rocket Force unit last Thursday highlights the key role the force might play in trying to deter the US from getting involved in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, military analysts said. Last week, Xi inspected a People’s Liberation Army brigade stationed in the southeastern province of…
Aircraft carriers from both China and the U.S. were operating in the Pacific Ocean this week. One of the six West Coast-based American aircraft carriers visited Guam as it was on the way home following a deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean and the Middle East. Meanwhile, a Chinese aircraft carrier continued its deployment in…
Washington’s plans to retain its Typhon missile system in the Philippines while stepping up defence engagement with other Asia-Pacific allies pose heightened security risks for China, according to analysts. The mid-range missile system has remained in the Philippines since it was brought in during a joint exercise with American forces in April, as tensions spiked…