News Analysis India

Tag: Taiwan

  • After Long Delays, US House To Vote On Aid Bills For Israel, Ukraine | world news

    New Delhi: United States House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday introduced a complex plan for providing aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan during wartime. Johnson announced that the Republican-led House would finally vote this week on aid legislation for Ukraine and Israel, following several months of delays and pressure from the right-wing.

    Speaker Johnson posted on ‘X’ about the next step, “This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to: Fund our ally Israel, Support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression, Strengthen our allies in the Indo -Pacific (and) Pass additional measures to counter our adversaries and strengthen our national security,” the tweet read.

    I have just spoken with the @HouseGOP conference on my plan to address national security supplemental legislation on the growing security crises.

    This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to:

    •Fund our ally Israel •Support… — Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 15, 2024

    The Republican Speaker met with other Republican lawmakers on Monday evening to discuss his plan to get the House to agree to the funding package. With some conservatives strongly against helping Ukraine, Johnson aims to streamline the process by having one debate but separate votes on aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other foreign policy measures.

    Iran’s recent missile and drone attack on Israel has reignited pressure on House Republicans to act on the national security package. This comes after Speaker Johnson spent the last two months contemplating how to navigate political divisions within the House to move the package forward.

    As per report by news agency AP, While the House has been slow to take action, conflicts worldwide have intensified. Israel’s military leader stated on Monday that they would retaliate against Iran’s recent missile strike. On the other side, Ukraine’s military leader warned over the weekend that the situation in the eastern part of the country has deteriorated significantly in recent days, as warmer weather has enabled Russian forces to launch a fresh offensive.

    Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden who is currently hosting Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the White House, urged the House to promptly consider the funding package passed by the Senate. He said, “They have to do it now.”

  • Taiwan Hit By Strongest Earthquake In 25 Years; Tsunami Warnings Issued In Japan | world news

    Taipei: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter Scale rocked Taiwan’s eastern shores on Wednesday leaving residents rattled and authorities on high alert. The US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake’s magnitude, describing it as a “notable quake” with its epicentre located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 25.0 kilometers south-southeast of Hualien County Hall.

    Notable quake, preliminary info: M 7.4 – 18 km SSW of Hualien City, Taiwan https://t.co/G7yLg1BGyO — USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) April 3, 2024


    The quake’s depth was measured at 15.5 kilometers, according to the Seismology Center of Taiwan’s Central News Agency.


    An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 hit Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, on Wednesday morning, reports Reuters, citing the Taiwan central weather administration — ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024


    Tsunami Warnings Issued Across Japan

    Japan’s Meteorological Agency swiftly issued tsunami warnings for remote Japanese islands, including the Miyakojima island, in the wake of the earthquake off Taiwan’s coast. Residents were cautioned to prepare for waves as high as three meters (10 feet), heightening concerns for coastal communities in the affected regions.


    #WATCH | A very shallow earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck in the ocean near Taiwan. Japan has issued an evacuation advisory for the coastal areas of the southern prefecture of Okinawa after the earthquake triggered a tsunami warning. Tsunami waves of up to 3… pic.twitter.com/2Q1gd0lBaD — ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

    Alert Across Taiwan

    Reports of the earthquake’s impact varied across Taiwan, with intensity levels of 5+ reported in Yilan County and Miaoli County, and 5- in several northern and central regions including Taipei City, New Taipei City, and Taichung City. The seismic event prompted the suspension of metro systems in major cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, disrupting daily routines for commuters.

    In Japan, anticipation gripped coastal areas as authorities warned of potential tsunami surges. Tsunami alerts were issued for southwestern Japan’s Miyakojima and Yaeyama regions, along with Okinawa Prefecture’s main island. Residents were urged to evacuate promptly to higher ground or secure locations to ensure their safety.

    Echoes Of Past Tragedies

    For many in Taiwan, memories of past seismic disasters resurfaced. Wu Chien-fu, director of Taipei’s Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Center, noted the quake’s significant impact, recalling it as the ”strongest” since the devastating earthquake of 1999. The tragic event claimed thousands of lives, serving as a stark reminder of the island’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

    “The earthquake is close to land and it’s shallow. It’s felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands,” said Wu Chien-fu, director of Taipei’s Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Center. “It’s the strongest in 25 years since the (1999) earthquake,” he told reporters.

    Heightened Vigilance Amidst Uncertainty

    As the situation unfolds, both Taiwan and Japan remain on high alert, bracing for potential aftershocks and assessing the extent of damage. With forecasters predicting tsunami waves of up to three meters in height, vigilance and precautionary measures are paramount to safeguarding lives and minimizing the impact of this natural disaster.

    A 7.6-magnitude quake hit Taiwan in September 1999, killing around 2,400 people in the deadliest natural disaster in the island’s history.

  • '32 Aircraft, 5 Naval Ships In 24 Hours': Taiwan Tracks Increased Chinese Military Activity Around Nation | world news

    New Delhi: The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense (MND) has been closely monitoring an uptick in military activity in the region, with 32 Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) detected from 6 am on Wednesday ( March 20) to the same time on Thursday (March 21). Notably, 20 of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, breaching Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) from various directions.

    In response to these incursions, Taiwan's Armed Forces have deployed Combat Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft, navy vessels, and coastal missile systems to track and respond to the activities identified within their jurisdiction.

    This increase in military presence follows a similar pattern observed the previous day, where the MND tracked 15 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels. Of these, six aircraft entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's ADIZ. However, unlike the recent incidents, no aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait during that period.

    The MND's reports align with observations by Taiwan News, which has highlighted China's growing use of gray zone tactics since September 2020. These tactics involve a series of efforts to achieve security objectives without engaging in open conflict, marked by a gradual increase in the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating in the vicinity of Taiwan.

    In a related incident earlier in the week, the MND reported tracking ten Chinese naval vessels and nine military aircraft near Taiwan. Among these, a Chinese drone violated the southwest sector of Taiwan's ADIZ, and a PLA helicopter was observed in the southeast sector.

    The consistent monitoring and response by Taiwan's Armed Forces underscore the ongoing tensions and the delicate balance of power in the region.

    Please remember that the headlines and article are crafted based on the inputs you've provided and are intended for illustrative purposes only. It's crucial to ensure that any actual news content published is fact-checked and adheres to journalistic ethics.

  • Taiwan Detects Seven Chinese Military Planes, Four Naval Vessels Around Nation | world news

    TAIPEI: Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has detected seven Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 am (local time) on Tuesday and 6 am (local time) on Wednesday, Taiwan News reported. Following China’s action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to keep a watch on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity, Taiwan’s MND said. According to Taiwan’s MND, no PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during that time.

    Meanwhile, one Chinese balloon was detected crossing the median line at 10:30 am (local time) on Tuesday, 119 km (64 NM) northwest of Keelung. The balloon flew east and disappeared at 12:15 pm (local time), according to Taiwan News report. So far in January, Taiwan detected 298 Chinese military aircraft and 136 naval ships. Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan, the report said.

    Gray zone tactics is an “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force,” Taiwan News reported. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Marine Corps on Wednesday held a maritime drill at the Zuoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung, featuring a mine-laying ship and a domestically built assault boat that carried out maritime surveillance and combat operations to simulate defending against a Chinese invasion, Focus Taiwan reported. citing Central News Agency (CNA).

    The manoeuvres, which took place in waters around Zuoying Harbour, were designed to test the Marine Corps’ ability to identify Chinese military movements quickly as well as their combat preparedness and capability, according to CNA report.

    During the exercise, the Taiwan Navy made an emergency departure from the harbor with a minelayer and an indigenous M109 assault boat and performed a variety of actions, including surveillance and the use of radar and drones to alert battleship systems to approaching hostile forces, the report said.

  • Taiwan issue: India calls for de-escalation, restraint as China ends war drill

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In its first reaction on the Taiwan crisis, India on Friday said it is concerned over the developments and called for avoiding unilateral action to change the status quo in the region.

    India also pitched for exercising restraint and underlined the need for efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

    China launched major military drills around Taiwan as part of its response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan.

    “Like many other countries, India too is concerned at recent developments,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

    “We urge the exercise of restraint, avoidance of unilateral actions to change status quo, de-escalation of tensions and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: In its first reaction on the Taiwan crisis, India on Friday said it is concerned over the developments and called for avoiding unilateral action to change the status quo in the region.

    India also pitched for exercising restraint and underlined the need for efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

    China launched major military drills around Taiwan as part of its response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan.

    “Like many other countries, India too is concerned at recent developments,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

    “We urge the exercise of restraint, avoidance of unilateral actions to change status quo, de-escalation of tensions and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” he said.

  • Jaishankar, Blinken discuss pressing global issues

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday held talks on pressing global challenges, amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s high-profile visit to Taipei.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting that took place on the margins of an ASEAN conclave in Phnom Penh, Blinken referred to concerns over “challenges” in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the situation in the Indo-Pacific.

    It is understood that the escalating tension between China and Taiwan, especially in the Taiwan Strait, following Pelosi’s visit to Taipei figured in the talks.

    China has launched a major live-fire military exercise in the waters around Taiwan in response to Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island, triggering global concerns.

    The Jaishankar-Blinken meeting also came days after the US killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al-Qaeda leader and a key plotter of the 9/11 attacks, in a drone strike in a Kabul safe house.

    “A warm conversation to start meetings on sidelines of ASEAN Ministerial in Phnom Penh. Discussed the ever strengthening India-US relationship and the global situation with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting, Blinken said the US and India are strong proponents of the ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific, according to the US State Department.

    “We’re both strong proponents of ASEAN centrality. We have a shared vision together for a free and open Indo-Pacific that we work on in so many different ways every single day,” he said.

    “And of course, we have some immediate challenges that we’re both concerned with, to include the situation in Sri Lanka, Burma, and a number of other, number of other hot spots,” he said.

    “So I very much look forward to once again being able to go through a number of these issues with my friend, and then we’ll both head over to our meetings,” Blinken added.

    Last month, Sri Lanka witnessed massive political turmoil following mass protests that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country.

    Veteran leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president amid hopes for recovery from economic distress. The western powers were anguished over the execution of four pro-democracy activists by Myanmar’s military government last month.

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday held talks on pressing global challenges, amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s high-profile visit to Taipei.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting that took place on the margins of an ASEAN conclave in Phnom Penh, Blinken referred to concerns over “challenges” in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the situation in the Indo-Pacific.

    It is understood that the escalating tension between China and Taiwan, especially in the Taiwan Strait, following Pelosi’s visit to Taipei figured in the talks.

    China has launched a major live-fire military exercise in the waters around Taiwan in response to Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island, triggering global concerns.

    The Jaishankar-Blinken meeting also came days after the US killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al-Qaeda leader and a key plotter of the 9/11 attacks, in a drone strike in a Kabul safe house.

    “A warm conversation to start meetings on sidelines of ASEAN Ministerial in Phnom Penh. Discussed the ever strengthening India-US relationship and the global situation with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting, Blinken said the US and India are strong proponents of the ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific, according to the US State Department.

    “We’re both strong proponents of ASEAN centrality. We have a shared vision together for a free and open Indo-Pacific that we work on in so many different ways every single day,” he said.

    “And of course, we have some immediate challenges that we’re both concerned with, to include the situation in Sri Lanka, Burma, and a number of other, number of other hot spots,” he said.

    “So I very much look forward to once again being able to go through a number of these issues with my friend, and then we’ll both head over to our meetings,” Blinken added.

    Last month, Sri Lanka witnessed massive political turmoil following mass protests that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country.

    Veteran leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president amid hopes for recovery from economic distress. The western powers were anguished over the execution of four pro-democracy activists by Myanmar’s military government last month.

  • COVID-19: Taiwan delivers 500 oxygen cylinders, other medical supplies to India

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Taiwan on Sunday delivered to India 150 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders to assist the country in its fight against a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) said more batches of medical equipment and supplies will be airlifted to India soon.

    “To express strong friendship with India in its fight against a new wave of Covid-19 pandemic, Taiwan is delivering critical medical supplies to India. The first batch of 150 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders have arrived in New Delhi on Sunday,” the TECC said.

    The TECC is Taiwan’s representative office in India.

    “On behalf of the government of Taiwan, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India wishes to reaffirm the friendly bilateral relations between Taiwan and India,” it said in a statement.

    “Taiwan’s deployment of medical supplies is testament to the close collaboration and partnership across multiple agencies on both sides. It also reflects the robust relief efforts and contributions made by the government and people of Taiwan to bring humanitarian relief to India,” it said.

    India does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but both sides have trade and people-to-people ties.

    China claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

    Taiwan’s aid to India came amid reports of violations of Taiwan’s airspace by Chinese military jets.

    “While the contribution is modest, we hope that it will bring comfort and relief to the patients in need and ease the burden on the healthcare workers who are working tirelessly to fight the pandemic,” the TECC said.

    It said President Tsai Ing-wen on April 27 conveyed solidarity with India and expressed deep concern about the country’s situation.

    “As India logged a record-breaking daily surge of coronavirus infection for consecutive days, Tsai said that Taiwan ‘stand with India’ during this difficult time while offering to provide help,” the TECC said.

    Meanwhile, Uzbekistan too supplied 100 oxygen concentrators as well as remdesivir and other medicines to India.

    As India battles a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, several countries around the world are sending medical supplies to help it tide over the situation.

    The leading countries that have announced assistance to India include the US, Russia, France, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Romania, Luxembourg, Singapore, Portugal, Sweden, New Zealand, Kuwait and Mauritius.

    Some of the countries have already delivered the supplies.

  • India Cancels All 70 Events Planned To Mark 70th Year Of China Ties

    Days after China “cancelled” plans to jointly launch commemorative stamps with India to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, India has cancelled all 70 such diplomatic events planned with its Eastern neighbour. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has now decided to ramp up cultural relations with Taiwan, a bitter rival of China. 

    A number of events were planned on the 70th diplomatic anniversary of China and India’s relationship after Xi Jinping and PM Modi had met last year in Chennai but post-Galwan Valley clash, India has decided to cancel these events, Dinesh K Patnaik, DG ICCR told Republic Media Network. Many of these events were to be organised in China.

    China’s State Post Bureau has decided to cancel its plan to jointly launch commemorative stamps with India, state-run CGTN-TV reported on December 8, quoting a statement by the bureau without mentioning the date of the event. No reason was given for the decision, the report said.

  • Taiwan Blocks Pro-China News Outlet’s Licence Renewal Over Political Interference Concerns

    The Taiwan government on Wednesday, November 18, refused to renew the broadcast license of a leading pro-China cable news channel over complaints of political interference.

    As per reports, the National Communications Commission (NCC) said that it has rejected CTiTV’s application to renew its license and cited repeated violations of rules on accurate reporting. CTiTV’s parent company, the Want Want China Times media group, owns the news channel and it also publishes one of Taiwan’s main newspapers. The channel has been long affiliated with a Beijing-friendly political view and is partially connected to its large business interests in China.

    NCC Chairperson Chen Yaw-shyang in his ruling is reported to have made no particular allegations of pro-China bias against the station. However, he said it appeared susceptible to outside influences, as per reports. While speaking at a press conference declaring the result of the license review, Chen said the biggest problem is external interference into the TV station’s news production and broadcast.

    News channel CTiTV, which officially loses its license on December 11, condemned the ruling as an attempt to silence dissenting voices in a blow against democracy and freedom of speech. However, the channel will still be able to operate its entertainment channels and publish online. 

    Taiwan has long rejected China’s claim over the island and fought against Beijing-imposed diplomatic isolation as well shrewd efforts to win over Taiwan’s business elite. The island nation has one of the liveliest free media environments in Asia, a stark contrast to the strong control maintained during nearly four decades of martial law imposed by the Nationalist Party, which came to the island in 1949 after being driven from mainland China by the Communists.

    However, concerns over a political bias crept into Taiwan’s reporting after the purchase of media assets by business conglomerates rose, particularly those with investments in China. Adding further, Chen said the decision against CTiTV was intended partly to prevent that trend.

    The NCC Chairperson added that the message is clear to all consortiums who intend to purchase media outlets, to respect editorial independence and professionality.

  • Indian media to say ‘GET LOST’ to China for asking them to follow ‘one China’ policy

    A war of words broke out between Taiwan and China on Wednesday after the Chinese embassy in Delhi wrote to Indian media asking them to adhere to ‘One-China’ policy.

    Ahead of Taiwan’s national day on October 10, the Chinese mission in Delhi called upon the Indian media not to refer to Taiwan as a “nation”. In the letter, the Chinese embassy said, “would like to remind our media friends that there is only one China in the world” and the “Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China.”

    “We hope Indian media can stick to Indian government’s position on the Taiwan question and do not violate the One-China principle. In particular, Taiwan shall not be referred to as a ‘country (nation)’ or ‘Republic of China’ or the leader of China’s Taiwan region as ‘President’, so as not to send the wrong signals to the general public,” the Chinese email to Indian media said. It added, “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. All countries that have diplomatic relations with China should firmly honour their commitment to the One-China policy, which is also the long-standing official position of the Indian government.”