Taiwan

Earlier on Sunday, Taiwan detected seven sorties of Chinese aircraft, seven naval vessels and an official ship around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time)

The total value of the sales is up to $11.154 billion, according to a separate statement from Taiwan's Defense Ministry

As per the MND, of the 40, 26 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ

Nepal's Gen-Z protests, a fragile Gaza ceasefire and Donald Trump's return reshaped global politics in 2025, as nations grappled with unrest, wars and shifting alliances

Today's Chinese military activity around the island nation has seen a significant decline compared to December 12

The flight of two US B-52 bombers with three Japanese F-35s and three F-15s marked the first US show of military presence since China began its exercises in the region last week

Up and down the 160-strong Ryukyu island chain, Japan is quickly putting in place missile batteries, radar towers, ammunition storage sites and other combat facilities

As per the MND, two out of four sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ

The letter follows on from China's second missive to the UN complaining about Japan after Takaichi said last month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could mean a survival-threatening situation for Japan

The pledge by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to work, work, work, work and work for her country has been named the catchphrase of the year, recognising the effort Japan's first female leader had to make to reach the top. The ultraconservative Takaichi uttered the phase in October when she was elected as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Many were initially as worried about her work ethic as supportive of her enthusiasm. In a country notorious for long working hours, especially for working women who are also burdened with homemaking and caregiving, overwork is a sensitive topic. The recognition triggered a mixed reaction, with some interpreting it as satire. Accepting her award from a private committee this week, Takaichi said she only wanted to stress her enthusiasm. I have no intention of encouraging other people to overwork, or suggesting long working hours as a virtue, Takaichi said. I hope there is no misunderstanding. Takaichi, within weeks of taking office

A three-day visit that kicks off Wednesday comes as the democratically-ruled island claimed by Beijing is back in the spotlight

Sharing the details in a post on X, MND said that 4 out of 10 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ

Taiwan had recorded the presence of 27 PLA aircraft, 11 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around its territory on Sunday

China has tried to rally diplomatic support during its dispute with Japan by sending a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week accusing Takaichi of violating international law

Earlier on Wednesday, the MND detected 20 Chinese military sorties and five naval vessels in its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time)

Takaichi hasn't retracted remarks she made on Nov 7 that linked Japan's security to a Taiwan contingency, the first such instance for a sitting prime minister

China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects

Just days after China issued an advisory against travelling to Japan, the cancellations started. About 3,000 Chinese visit Rie Takeda's tearoom in an alley in Tokyo's historic Asakusa district every year. Some 200 have already cancelled bookings for her tea ceremony class, as far ahead as January. "I just hope the Chinese tourists return by Chinese New Year," she said, referring to the major holiday period in February. Past experience suggests it may take longer than that. China's government is turning to a well-used playbook to express its displeasure with Japan for refusing to retract a statement by its new prime minister on the hot-button issue of Taiwan. As with its tariffs on Australian wines in 2020, and restrictions on Philippine banana imports in 2012, Beijing is using its economic clout to pressure Tokyo while also hurling a torrent of invective at its government. The only question is how far China will go and how long the measures will last. "China's countermeasures are

One of Taiwan's largest food companies, I-Mei Foods, is also considering mass producing a limited-series chocolate bar that features pictures of Takaichi on its wrapper

Stocks in Hong Kong and China cheered Trump's efforts to prevent ties spiraling, with a tech rally leading a rise in shares