An Israeli official told Israel Hayom that the visit took place but played down its importance. According to the Israeli official, Wu met with two Knesset members from the Opposition and the Coalition. However, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem boycotted the visit as part of its policy of non-confrontation with Beijing on the sensitive issue of Taiwan.

China's embassy in Israel issued the following statement in response to the visit: "The one-China principle is the consensus of the international community and a basic norm of international relations. It is also the prerequisite and foundation for establishing and developing diplomatic ties between China and countries around the world, including Israel. The China-Israel Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations clearly states that 'the Government of the State of Israel recognizes that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China.' The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and constitutes an inviolable red line at the very core of China's core interests. The Chinese side firmly objects to any form of official exchanges with the Taiwan authorities, which seriously violate the one-China principle. We once again urge the Israeli side to faithfully abide by the one-China principle, correct the erroneous actions and stop sending any wrong signals to separatist forces advocating Taiwan independence, so as to uphold the overall interests of China-Israel relations through concrete actions."

Beijing's pressure campaign severely restricts Taiwan's official diplomatic connections. The Chinese government treats the island as its provincial territory rather than a sovereign nation. Jerusalem, mirroring most countries globally, extends formal recognition exclusively to Beijing while withholding it from Taipei – making trips by high-ranking Taiwanese diplomats to states like Israel exceedingly rare. Several MKs have visited Taipei in recent months and also participated in an event hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office to celebrate what it calls Taiwan's national day. But Israel does not recognize the government in Taipei and has stuck to its One China Policy in which it considers the mainland as the sole representative of the Chinese people, despite the ties it has at lower levels with the island.

Taiwan nevertheless regards Israel as a vital democratic partner and demonstrated strong solidarity with Jerusalem after Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel in October 2023, triggering the subsequent Gaza war that intensified bilateral engagement, according to Reuters.

Speaking on anonymity terms given the issue's sensitivity, the sources informed Reuters that Wu's Israel journey occurred in recent weeks, with two sources specifying this month. The sources withheld specifics about Wu's meeting schedule or agenda items, including potential discussions about Taiwan's newly unveiled T-Dome multilayered air defense network – which President Lai Ching-te presented in October and partially emulates Israeli air defense technology – Reuters reported.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry declined commenting on Wu's Israel visit. The ministry issued a statement declaring "Taiwan and Israel share the values of freedom and democracy, and will continue to pragmatically ⁠promote mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation" in trade, technology, culture and other domains while embracing additional "mutually beneficial forms of cooperation", the report concluded.

During an interview with Israel Hayom earlier this year China's ambassador to Israel, Xiao Junzheng, was asked what his country's response would be if the island declared independence. He made it clear Beijing would not let it slide, saying this will inevitably lead to "war".

"When our two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992, the Israeli government acknowledged that there's one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate representative of the whole of China," he said, adding with particular emphasis: "The Chinese government has already passed the Anti-Secession National Law. According to this law, if the so-called Taiwan government announced or declared independence, wow, the war will be unavoidable. The war is unavoidable. If they declare independence, yes."

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Taiwan's leading semiconductor manufacturer TSMC reported record-breaking financial performance for the quarter ending September 30, 2025, with consolidated revenues reaching NT$989.92 billion. The company achieved net profits of NT$452.30 billion and diluted earnings per share of NT$17.44, equivalent to US$2.92 per American Depositary Receipt unit.
The chipmaker's third-quarter results demonstrated robust growth momentum, with revenues climbing 30.3% compared to the same period last year. Net income surged even more dramatically, posting a 39.1% year-over-year increase, while diluted earnings per share rose by 39.0%. Sequential quarterly growth also remained strong, showing a 6.0% revenue boost and 13.6% net income improvement over the second quarter of 2025.

When converted to US dollars, TSMC's third-quarter revenues totaled $33.10 billion, marking a substantial 40.8% annual increase and 10.1% quarterly growth. The company maintained impressive profitability metrics, including a gross margin of 59.5%, an operating margin of 50.6%, and a net profit margin of 45.7%. Leading financial publications have verified that these earnings represent TSMC's strongest quarterly profit performance in the company's history.

TSMC faces significant geopolitical threats from mainland China that extend beyond traditional business competition. The constant pressure from China creates strategic vulnerabilities for both TSMC and Taiwan, as the company's dominance in advanced semiconductor manufacturing has become a critical factor in cross-strait tensions. If China were to invade the island, the world would face an immediate supply shock with widespread delays in technology manufacturing, as many tech companies depend on components produced in Taiwan. China's expanding semiconductor capabilities, particularly through companies like SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation), represent a long-term competitive challenge. SMIC has made significant progress in mature process nodes (28nm and above), with Chinese foundries expected to account for over 25% of global capacity among top mature-node foundries by the end of 2025. While mainland China lags behind in advanced AI chip manufacturing, its push for technological autonomy and domestic substitution – especially in automotive and industrial semiconductors – could gradually erode Taiwan's strategic advantage. The threat is compounded by concerns that TSMC's diversification of operations to locations like Arizona, while mitigating supply chain risks, could diminish Taiwan's "silicon shield" protection by reducing the strategic importance that deters Chinese aggression.​

Strong Demand for advanced technologies

"Our business in the third quarter was supported by strong demand for our leading-edge process technologies," Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Wendell Huang said.

The remaining technology nodes contributed as follows: 16/20-nanometer represented 7% of wafer revenue, 28-nanometer accounted for 7%, 40/45-nanometer contributed 3%, 65-nanometer made up 4%, 90-nanometer was 1%, 0.11/0.13-micrometer represented 1%, 0.15/0.18-micrometer accounted for 3%, and 0.25-micrometer and above contributed less than 1%.​

AI chip demand drives growth

TSMC's record performance reflects surging demand from major AI chip designers, particularly NVIDIA and AMD, who rely heavily on TSMC's advanced manufacturing capabilities for their cutting-edge AI accelerators. NVIDIA is expected to overtake Apple as TSMC's biggest customer in 2025, underscoring the massive shift toward AI infrastructure spending. Both NVIDIA and AMD depend on TSMC's most advanced process nodes – 3nm and below – along with sophisticated packaging technologies like CoWoS (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate) to produce the high-performance chips powering generative AI applications and data centers. AMD has committed to an annual release cadence for its AI accelerators, with future chips expected to utilize TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm technology. The company controls over 70% of the global foundry market and serves as the indispensable manufacturing partner for the AI revolution.​

Revenue from Smartphone increased 19%, IoT increased 20%, and Automotive increased 18% from the second quarter. HPC remained flat, while DCE decreased 20% and Others declined 8% compared to the previous quarter.​

From a geographic perspective, revenue from customers based in North America accounted for 76% of total net revenue in the third quarter. Revenue from Asia Pacific, China, Japan, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) accounted for 9%, 8%, 4%, and 3% of total net revenue respectively.​

TSMC's third-quarter gross margin reached 59.5%, representing a 0.9 percentage point improvement from the previous quarter. This enhancement stemmed mainly from cost reduction initiatives and increased facility utilization rates, though these gains were somewhat diminished by adverse currency fluctuations and dilutive effects from international manufacturing operations.

Operating expenditures rose by NT$3.25 billion to NT$87.76 billion during the quarter, accounting for 8.9% of net revenues versus 9.1% in the prior quarter, reflecting improved operational efficiency. The company's operating margin strengthened by 1.0 percentage point quarter-over-quarter to 50.6%. Research and development investments totaled NT$63.74 billion, while sales, general and administrative costs amounted to NT$24.02 billion.

TSMC's annualized return on equity climbed to 37.8%, marking a 3.0 percentage point sequential increase and a 4.4 percentage point year-over-year improvement.Retry

Financial position and cash flow

TSMC's total current assets grew by NT$171.10 billion from the previous quarter, driven primarily by a NT$116.63 billion expansion in cash and marketable securities holdings. By the conclusion of the third quarter, the company's combined cash and marketable securities reached NT$2,751.06 billion. Meanwhile, total current liabilities contracted by NT$101.40 billion, largely attributed to a NT$111.70 billion reduction in accrued liabilities and other obligations. The semiconductor giant maintained net working capital of NT$2,160.11 billion with a current ratio of 2.7 times during the quarter.

The company's net cash reserves expanded by NT$100.07 billion to reach NT$1,756.61 billion in the third quarter, reflecting the growth in cash and marketable securities positions. Outstanding interest-bearing debt stood at NT$994.45 billion.Retry

"Moving into fourth quarter 2025, we expect our business to be supported by continued strong demand for our leading-edge process technologies," Huang stated.​

Drawing from current market conditions and business projections, TSMC's leadership anticipates fourth-quarter revenues will fall within the US$32.2 billion to US$33.4 billion range. Using an exchange rate projection of 30.6 New Taiwan dollars per US dollar, company executives forecast gross profit margins between 59% and 61%, with operating profit margins expected to span 49% to 51%.

Understanding the results: A simplified explanation

For readers less familiar with financial terminology, here's what these results mean in everyday terms: TSMC operates as a specialized manufacturer – it doesn't design or sell its own chips, but instead produces semiconductors based on designs provided by technology companies around the world. This "pure-play foundry" business model, which TSMC pioneered, means the company focuses exclusively on manufacturing rather than competing with its customers.​

The company's "nanometer" measurements refer to the size of transistors on computer chips – smaller numbers mean more advanced technology that can pack more computing power into the same space. TSMC manufactures about 60% of the world's contracted semiconductor production, making it the dominant player in this specialized manufacturing sector.​

The strong financial results reflect several key trends: High-Performance Computing (which includes data centers and artificial intelligence systems) now represents more than half of TSMC's business, while smartphones contribute about one-third. The company's ability to maintain gross margins near 60% indicates strong pricing power and operational efficiency – for every dollar in sales, TSMC keeps approximately 60 cents after covering direct manufacturing costs.​

TSMC's substantial capital expenditures of nearly $30 billion year-to-date represent ongoing investments in new factories and equipment to maintain its technological leadership and expand production capacity. The company was founded in 1987 in Taiwan and remains headquartered in Hsinchu, with operations expanding globally to serve customers across multiple continents.​​

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The military's logistics command simultaneously utilized the mass rapid transit system to transport munitions and supplies from the capital's eastern periphery, demonstrating how civilian infrastructure would be repurposed during wartime conditions, according to The Financial Times.

Video: A depiction by the PLA of what the unification with Taiwan might look like / Credit: Eastern Command

Taiwan's armed forces have brought the annual Han Kuang training exercise directly to civilian neighborhoods this year, representing a fundamental shift in how the island prepares for the anticipated realities of Beijing's military action while simultaneously educating the public about potential crisis scenarios.

The exercises delivered an unmistakable message to Taiwan's population about the proximity of potential conflict. "If there ever is war, they will be fighting right here," an elderly local resident identified as Lu told The Financial Times.

Beijing maintains territorial claims over the island of Taiwan and has threatened to seize control through military force if Taipei continues to resist unification indefinitely. Throughout the past decade, Beijing authorities have intensified pressure on what it consider a rebellious province, executing increasingly large-scale military operations in the island's vicinity.

Taiwan's authorities has responded by reinforcing the nation's defensive capabilities, particularly following Russia's comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, according to The Financial Times.

Military analysts observe the Han Kuang exercise as an evaluation of the armed forces' capacity to respond to evolving threats, replacing choreographed demonstrations with authentic training scenarios. The previous year's exercise eliminated rehearsals in favor of improvised combat situations.

This year's program has advanced significantly beyond previous iterations. Monday's mass rapid transit operation, designed to test "battlefield survivability" under conditions where mainland China would bombard the country with missile strikes, marked the first incorporation of public transportation infrastructure. The innovation represents one of numerous precedents established during this year's drills, which will conclude Friday after lasting 10 complete days, twice the duration of earlier versions.

In a recent Israel Hayom interview, the People's Republic of China's ambassador to Israel, Xiao Junzheng, warned that an attempt to fully break away from the mainland by forming an independent state would be met with a forceful response.

"When our two countries [Israel and the PRC] established diplomatic ties in 1992, the Israeli government acknowledged that there's one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate representative of the whole of China."

He continued with particular emphasis: "The Chinese government has already passed the Anti-Secession National Law. According to this law, if the so-called Taiwan government announced or declared independence, wow, the war will be unavoidable. The war is unavoidable. If they declare independence, yes."

The ambassador emphasized that "Taiwan is a province of China. It was never an independent state and it will never be an independent state. The future of Taiwan should be determined by 1.4 billion Chinese people, including the 23 million Taiwan people, instead of by the will of the 23 million Taiwan people alone."

Instead of solely practicing the repulsion of mainland China's invasion forces from beaches and coastal areas as in previous years, the military has focused on responding to scenarios where Chinese maneuvers – which the People's Liberation Army conducts near Taiwan almost daily – would suddenly escalate into active combat.

The final four days of the exercise will concentrate on training for sustained combat operations throughout the entire country – a scenario that military leadership has previously avoided addressing publicly, The Financial Times reported.

Nearly 22,000 reservists have been activated, exceeding any previous mobilization in the exercise's 41-year history and acknowledging that Taiwan's defense would require comprehensive societal participation. In another unprecedented development, the drill will incorporate the US-supplied HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system.

Admiral Mei Chia-shu, chief of the general staff, has emphasized that the exercises should implement "mission command," a doctrine that empowers individual units to execute their assignments without excessive oversight from superior commanders.

"If China attacks, one of the first things to go will be our communications systems," a senior military official told The Financial Times. "So if we say we do realistic training, we must train for our units to be cut off from their superiors."

However, experts suggested Taiwan's military would face challenges abandoning traditional centralized command structures, according to The Financial Times.

"Decentralization is a difficult thing for our armed forces," Sheu Jyh-Shyang, an assistant research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, a defense ministry-backed think-tank, told The Financial Times. "It is still hard to see fast progress in that regard."

The most noticeable transformation involves the drills' proximity to Taiwan's civilian population. Tanks, troop transporters and large mobile missile launchers have been maneuvering through the dense urban development that covers most non-mountainous areas of Taiwan.

Their deployment has not proceeded without complications. At least three accidents involving military vehicles occurred during the previous week, The Financial Times reported. A US-manufactured Paladin howitzer damaged several parked vehicles, a window grille and a water tower after incorrectly entering a narrow residential street. A tank dented an illegally parked car on the roadside, while a Patriot air defense missile became lodged under a noodle shop's awning during a turning maneuver.

A foreign military official observing the exercises indicated that the accidents demonstrated the complexity of Taiwan's urban landscape, according to The Financial Times.

"It would be a nightmare for an attacker," the person said. "It really is very defensible, but that only applies if your own forces have mastered operating in this maze."

Taiwan's civilians have demonstrated tolerance for any operational difficulties during the adjustment period.

"They have to train, I understand that," one woman whose vehicle was damaged by the howitzer told The Financial Times. "And our street is really too narrow."

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First, the Chinese government's basic position on the Taiwan question remains unchanged.

During the "two sessions", Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in response to Taiwan-related questions at a press conference, said that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, which is the history and the reality. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan. Eight decades ago, the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression put Taiwan back under China's sovereign jurisdiction. Both the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, issued by major victorious nations of WWII, stated in explicit terms that Taiwan is a territory that Japan had stolen from the Chinese, and shall be restored to China. Japan also accepted the terms of the Potsdam Proclamation and announced its unconditional surrender. All these have confirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan, and formed an important part of the post-WWII international order.

Resolution 2758 was later adopted in 1971 by the UN General Assembly with an overwhelming majority. It decides to restore all the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China at the UN and expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan authorities from the UN and all the organizations related to it. The only reference to the Taiwan region in the UN is "Taiwan, Province of China." Taiwan is never a country, not in the past, and never in the future. To clamor for "Taiwan independence" is to split the country, to support "Taiwan independence" is to interfere in China's internal affairs, and to connive at "Taiwan independence" is to undermine the stability of the Taiwan Strait.

Second, the Chinese government's sincerity and goodwill in promoting the wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots remains unchanged.

In order to accommodate Taiwan's realities and safeguard the interests and wellbeing of our compatriots there, the Chinese government has been respecting, caring for, and bringing benefits to our Taiwan compatriots. The 2025 Government Work Report stated that "we will improve institutions and policies for promoting economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait and advance integrated cross-Strait development to improve the wellbeing of Chinese people on both sides. " This fully demonstrates the Chinese government's resolve to advance cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, expand  cross-Strait people-to-people interactions, and deepen integrated cross-Strait development. We will continue supporting investors and enterprises from Taiwan to do business in the mainland, enabling compatriots in Taiwan to share in the opportunities and achievements of Chinese modernization. We will create better conditions for young people from Taiwan to pursue and realize their dreams in the mainland, and unite compatriots in Taiwan to jointly promote the development of cross-Strait relations.

Third, the Chinese government's resolution to advance the cause of reunification remains unchanged.

The essence of the Taiwan question lies in the struggle between secession and anti-secession. It is a major principled issue of whether national sovereignty and territorial integrity should be safeguarded. On this question, 183 countries, including Israel, have chosen to stand on the right side of history and to establish and develop diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. We appreciate the Israeli government's long-standing adherence to the one-China policy.

The Taiwan question is a legacy of China's civil war. Since 1945, Taiwan has not been a foreign colony or under foreign occupation, and there is no question of people's right to self-determination. Cross-Strait relations are between the central and local authorities, and the future of Taiwan can only be determined by the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots.

For some time now, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan, with the connivance and support of some external forces, have been pursuing separatist activities by hook or by crook, seriously jeopardizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the safety and wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots. Realizing China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation, an inevitable trend of history and a matter of fundamental justice. The will of over 1.4 billion Chinese people to resolve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification is as firm as a rock, and our capacity to do so is unshakable. We will never allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China, nor will we leave any room for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities.

No matter how the situation changes, there is but one China in the world, and the basic fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China will not change. I hope our Israeli friends will not be misled by any Taiwan-related disinformation or false statements, and will not be exploited by the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Xiao Junzheng is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The People's Republic of China to the State of Israel. 

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Beijing deployed 14 warships, seven military aircraft, and four balloons near the island of Taiwan in a 24-hour period, Taipei defense officials said Sunday. The military activities, reported by the Associated Press, occurred between 6 a.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, coinciding with speculation about possible Chinese military exercises following Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te's recent diplomatic tour of Pacific allies.

The island's Defense Ministry said six of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary between the two territories. One balloon traversed the island's northern tip, according to ministry officials who spoke to the Associated Press.

The demonstrations of military presence come as Lai concludes his first overseas trip since taking office in May, which included visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau – three of Taiwan's 12 remaining diplomatic allies. His journey also featured stops in Hawaii and Guam, where he held phone conversations with US Congress leaders, drawing sharp criticism from Beijing.

Responding to the military activity, Lai on Friday urged China to cease its threatening behavior. "These exercises will not be able to win the respect of neighboring countries," he said in comments reported by Associated Press.

China claims Taiwan, a democracy of 23 million people, as its territory and has promised to annex it, including by military force if necessary. The Chinese government regularly conducts military operations near the island and objects to other nations' formal interactions with Taiwan.

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Taiwanese officials have canceled an upcoming concert by Chinese rapper Wang Yitai after he referred to the city as "Taipei, China" in promotional materials, according to BBC. The Taipei authorities' Mainland Affairs Council announced late Sunday that Wang's September 14 performance would not proceed, and the artist has been barred from entering the island.

The council stated that the term "Taipei, China" was unacceptable as it implies Taipei is under Beijing's rule over what it considers a renegade province.  "Cross-strait exchanges should be conducted based on the principles of reciprocity and mutual respect, and any publications or promotions that belittle Taiwan's status will not be tolerated," the Mainland Affairs Council said in its statement.

Wang, a relatively unknown artist outside China, is signed to a rap label in Chengdu, a city renowned for its vibrant arts scene and eclectic performers. Chengdu is also home to the controversial rap group CD Rev, known for their nationalist tracks that have drawn international attention for their hard-line stance on Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as for making obscene and misogynistic references to former President Tsai Ing-wen.

While Tai[pei authorities generally welcome artists from the mainland, this incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the two sides. Beijing routinely bans island-based artists who show any support for the Democratic Progressive Party in the territory, which leans towards maintaining the island's de facto independence.

Taiwan competes in international events, including the Olympics, under the name "Chinese Taipei" as a compromise with Beijing. This reflects the complex political situation surrounding Taiwan's status, as China's diplomatic pressure has reduced the number of countries formally recognizing Taiwan to just 12.

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Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior established a task force to address the overpopulation of crown-of-thorns starfish threatening the coral ecosystem in the oceans around Dongsha Atoll National Park.

Monitoring revealed severe overpopulation of the starfish in the national park, with 20 to 30 starfish per 100 square meters of water, with an overall of no less than 50,000 starfish.

Manual removal of the starfish is currently the most effective method to control their population growth.

The task force comprises support from multiple government agencies, experts from various institutions, and professional divers with the aim of reducing the starfish population.

The plan involves 10 deployments to clear out the starfish, with each deployment lasting a week.

102 expert divers were recruited by the Marine National Park Headquarters in response to a call for volunteers to participate in the task force.

The task force adopted charonia tritonis, a natural enemy of the starfish, as its mascot to address the overpopulation issue.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and Okinawa, are also facing challenges from the overpopulation of crown-of-thorns starfish.

Sources: Focus Taiwan, Liberty Times Net, Yahoo News Taiwan

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

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"Zero day," an upcoming Taiwanese TV series, depicts a hypothetical Chinese offensive against Taiwan, including scenarios such as a naval blockade, cyberattacks, financial collapse, social unrest, and a full-blown invasion.

The series was funded by the Taiwanese Ministry of Culture, tech billionaire Robert Tsao, and produced in cooperation with Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.

A nearly 18-minute trailer has garnered over 390,000 views, sparking discussions about military readiness and preparedness. Its release coincided with annual air raid drills in Taiwan.

The series aims to raise awareness of Taiwan's security challenges by releasing it on an international streaming platform. Tsao pledged significant funds to train 3 million civilian soldiers.

Some actors and directors withdrew from the project due to fears of offending China and contractual restrictions on sensitive topics.

The series aims to provide a realistic look at Beijing's cognitive warfare tactics, incitement of unrest, and exploitation of software flaws while promoting unity and defense of Taiwan's values.

The release of the trailer coincided with annual air raid drills in Taiwan, sparking emotional responses and a sense of urgency among viewers.

The series stars Hong Kong actor Chapman To, who plays a villain sent by the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate Taiwan. The cast includes Japanese actor Issei Takahashi, Hong Kong-Taiwanese actor Lien Yu-han, Kaiser Chuang, and Ko I-chen.

Beijing opposes Taiwan's independence efforts and has increased military pressure in the Taiwan Strait, while the DPP leader William Lai emphasizes the importance of Taiwan's identity. China asserts Taiwan as its territory and has been increasing pressure on Taipei, with Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighting unification with Taiwan as inevitable, even through force. The CIA director believes Xi is preparing his military to be capable of taking Taiwan by 2027.

Taiwan extended compulsory military service to one year to strengthen its defense capabilities.

The Kuomintang (KMT) party criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for shaping public opinion and promoting their agenda through the Ministry of Culture, with some viewing the trailer as psychological warfare portraying mainland control over Taiwan before invasion.

Talks on the release of the series on international streaming platforms are ongoing.

Robert Tsao, founder of United Microelectronics Corp., invested in the drama and highlighted the importance of Taiwanese people's preparation in times of crisis. He also donated NT$1 billion to Kuma Academy, a civilian training organization, to cultivate self-defense capability and a pre-war mentality in civilians.

The miniseries began production in March with a planned debut next year.

Sources: Newsweek, SCMP, Bloomberg, Taiwan News, The Straits Times, Benzinga, Newsmax, Yahoo, Economic Times, Deadline, Taipei Times, RFA, Focus Taiwan

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

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A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer briefly entered Chinese territorial waters off the eastern province of Zhejiang, despite repeated warnings from Chinese vessels, according to Kyodo News. The incident has led to severe concerns from Beijing and prompted an investigation by the Japanese Defense Ministry.

The destroyer Suzutsuki, which was tasked with monitoring Chinese military drills on the high seas, sailed into Chinese waters on July 4. This rare move by a Self-Defense Forces vessel occurred just a day after Zhejiang authorities announced a no-sail zone nearby for a Chinese military live-fire drill.

According to diplomatic sources, Chinese vessels urged the Suzutsuki to leave when it approached within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of the Zhejiang coast. However, the destroyer reportedly accelerated and entered Chinese waters for about 20 minutes before departing.

#WATCH | Japan navy destroyer enters China's territorial waters near #Taiwan earlier this month without notifying #China, prompting Beijing to lodge an official complaint. pic.twitter.com/sch8glCprv

— DD India (@DDIndialive) July 11, 2024

The incident has raised tensions between the two nations, with Beijing conveying its serious concern to Tokyo. A Chinese diplomatic source questioned the timing of the move, stating, "I wonder why Japan made such a provocative move amid efforts by both countries to stabilize relations." In unofficial discussions between the two sides, a Japanese official suggested the possibility that the entry was a "procedural error." However, a Chinese security expert has expressed doubt about this explanation, citing the skill levels of the Japanese crew. The Chinese government suspects the incident may have been an "intentional provocation" by the destroyer and is currently analyzing relevant information. The Japanese Defense Ministry has launched an investigation into the ship's captain.

Tokyo maintains that the Suzutsuki's entry into Chinese territorial waters was not illegal, citing the right to "innocent passage" recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This principle allows vessels to pass through another state's territorial waters unless it compromises the coastal state's safety. However, Beijing argues that the MSDF ship did not fulfill requirements under Chinese domestic law, which mandates that foreign vessels seek prior permission to enter its waters.

Jun Tsuruta, associate professor of international law at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo, said there has been ongoing debate about whether the right to innocent passage applies to military vessels and commercial ships. He noted that this issue has not been wholly settled based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea adopted in 1982. Tsuruta also pointed out that as Japan recognizes the right to innocent passage for foreign military ships in its territorial waters, Japanese Self-Defense Forces vessels would likely not seek Beijing's prior approval based on Chinese law before entering neighboring waters.

The incident comes at a sensitive time for Sino-Japanese relations, which have been strained over various issues, including the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Despite recent high-level meetings aimed at improving ties, progress has been slow.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed during their November meeting in San Francisco to build "mutually beneficial" bilateral relations. This agreement was later reaffirmed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Kishida in Seoul in May.

As tensions persist in the region, with China regularly sending military and coast guard vessels into Japanese waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands, experts urge caution.

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In a tense maritime encounter, Taipei is calling for the immediate release of one of its fishing boats and crew members after Chinese authorities seized the vessel on Tuesday in the Taiwan Strait. The incident underscores the growing tensions between the two in disputed waters.

Taiwan's Coast Guard reported that it dispatched two patrol boats to the scene where the Dajinman 88 was seized. However, Chinese ships blocked their approach and warned them not to interfere. After about an hour, Taiwan's Coast Guard vessels withdrew to avoid further escalation.

The seized fishing boat was reportedly in Chinese waters near the coast, not far from the Taiwanese island of Kinmen. According to Reuters, officials stated that the vessel was fishing for squid during a period when China enforced a fishing ban.

Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin has appealed to China, urging them not to let "political factors" influence their handling of the situation. "We are calling for the release of the sailors and the vessel itself," the official stated, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic resolution.

This incident is part of a pattern of rising maritime tensions between China and its breakaway province. Both sides have previously seized each other's boats on suspicion of trespassing, but this latest event highlights the increasingly complex situation in the region.

China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and has also laid claim to large portions of the South China Sea, a crucial global shipping route. Last month, China implemented a new law allowing its Coast Guard to seize foreign vessels suspected of entering its claimed waters without permission.

The situation is particularly delicate for the island of Kinmen, which sits just five miles from China's coast but is controlled by Taiwan. Its proximity to the mainland makes it potentially vulnerable to Chinese pressure tactics.

This latest maritime skirmish follows a recent clash between the Chinese coast guard and a Filipino boat in the South China Sea, further illustrating the broader regional tensions.

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