‘Subtle message’: Taiwan poll reveals ‘big gap’ between defence chief, public over military threats

“No one can say for sure” that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would not attack Taiwan in the near term, he said, adding that “hostility has continued to rise and there are many unexpected situations that could trigger unintended incidents”. Taiwan Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has said he could not “sleep well at night” because … Read more

Xi Jinping’s hi-tech push steals the spotlight at China’s ‘two sessions’ as Li Qiang scales back presence

He then took part in a discussion with the NPC delegation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police Force on Thursday. Xi, who is also China’s top military commander, called on the military representatives to integrate hi-tech development with the PLA’s war capacity to “comprehensively enhance strategic capabilities in emerging areas”. … Read more

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024: after high-level purges, will party leadership tidy up loose ends?

On Tuesday, Qin resigned as a member of the national legislature, according to an official statement, while Li was also removed from the party’s Central Military Commission (CMC). The pair remained on the Central Committee, however, the Communist Party’s 300-strong decision making body. Nine other generals, including two former rocket force commanders, were “suspected of … Read more

Taiwan to get 50 air-to-ground missiles from US to boost fighter jet capabilities

Taiwan will take delivery of 50 air-to-ground missiles from the United States by 2028 as it seeks to boost the combat capabilities of its F-16V fighter jets and deter an attack from across the strait. Raytheon Missiles & Defence (RMD) has been awarded the US$68 million contract to produce and deliver to Taiwan 50 AGM-154 … Read more

On eve of Taiwan elections, PLA warns it will take ‘all necessary measures’ to ‘crush’ separatism

“Full combat readiness, vigorous training, [Taiwan’s armed forces] are the guardians of national security and the defenders of freedom and democracy!” the post said. Who is running in Taiwan’s presidential race and what does it mean for Beijing? Taiwan will hold its presidential and legislative elections on Saturday. William Lai Ching-te, vice-president and candidate of … Read more

Taiwan reports 17 ‘airborne balloons’ approaching from mainland China in run-up to election

The first balloon was reported on December 7. The Taiwanese defence ministry identified the objects as weather balloons until Tuesday, when it started describing them as “airborne balloons”. The Taiwanese defence ministry told the Post in a statement that the “Communist Party is using drones and airborne balloons as a way of grey-zone attack and … Read more

‘No one is safe’: China purges record number of senior officials in 2023, with more ‘tigers’ likely to fall

Unlike their subordinates who are managed and supervised by the local branches of the party’s organisation and disciplinary agency, the group of senior officials are under direct management of the Communist Party’s Central Organisation Department, its top personnel body. If any wrongdoing is found, they would face top level investigations from the CCDI. Twenty-seven of … Read more

Why did Chinese provincial civilian officials appear in military uniform?

Dozens of Chinese civilian officials made a rare public appearance in military uniforms at provincial defence events recently in an effort to drum up support for the armed forces and promote military-civilian integration. Although such military reviews are regular events, one former cadre said the aim of such appearances was to keep people alert to … Read more

Taiwanese pilot planned to defect to mainland China with US-made army helicopter, court told

A Taiwanese army pilot was offered US$15 million to defect by landing an US-made transport helicopter on a People’s Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier during a military drill near the island, according to prosecutors. But the scheme fell through after the officer was arrested in August for allegedly spying for Beijing, a Taiwan court has … Read more

Taiwan opens first medical training centre for treating combat injuries as cross-strait tensions run high

With tensions running high across the Taiwan Strait and the risk of conflict looming, the island seeks to improve medical training for treating complex injuries like those seen in conflicts including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza war. “The inauguration of the tactical combat casualty care facility represents the overall upgrading of the expertise … Read more