Taiwan’s Lai suits US with low-key stops but may yet draw ire from mainland China

Taiwan’s Lai suits US with low-key stops but may yet draw ire from mainland China

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), … Read more

Taiwan agrees to buy nearly 1,000 US killer drones as PLA stages drills around island

Taiwan agrees to buy nearly 1,000 US killer drones as PLA stages drills around island

Taiwan has signed contracts to purchase nearly 1,000 killer drones from the United States, bolstering its asymmetric warfare capabilities amid rising cross-strait tensions. According to a government procurement website, the Taiwanese army signed two contracts with the American Institute in Taiwan, Washington’s de facto embassy in Taipei, on Tuesday. The contracts, valued at a total … Read more

US drone makers, officials visit Taiwan on mission to secure supply chain

US drone makers, officials visit Taiwan on mission to secure supply chain

Executives from US drone manufacturers – including Switchblade maker AeroVironment – are visiting Taiwan to explore potential partnerships aimed at establishing a secure supply chain for the uncrewed systems. Representatives of 26 American drone companies, along with officials from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defence innovation unit, arrived in Taipei on Sunday … Read more

Mainland China urged to be ‘realistic’ and open communications with Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party

Mainland China urged to be ‘realistic’ and open communications with Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party

“China cut off communication channels with the DPP when Tsai Ing-wen was elected [as president in 2016] … I think that was an unrealistic stance. I wish China would moderate that stance and be willing to open channels, informal or formal,” said Douglas Paal, the head of the American Institute in Taiwan – the de … Read more