Taiwan to track PLA planes instead of intercepting them
The US is becoming more concerned about the possibility of China using force to try and take Taiwan.
China’s military buildup and sobering results of US military wargames have raised doubts about whether the US can defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese attack.
Taiwan will stop sending air force jets to intercept Chinese military aircraft flying into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ), but will now track them with ground-based missiles. This comes days after China sent 20 airplanes into Taiwan’s ADIZ last Friday, March 26.
The US and Taiwan have signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a coast guard working group. The group is intended to foster cooperation on information sharing, rescue missions and maritime law enforcement.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan on Sunday, March 28 for a five-day visit ahead of a travel bubble between Taiwan and his country that will begin on Thursday. The US Ambassador to Palau also arrived with the Palauan presidential delegation, making him the first US ambassador to visit Taiwan in several decades.
The BBC has sent its China correspondent John Sudworth to Taiwan due to alleged safety concerns and pressure from the Chinese government.
Software company Appier raised US$271 million as it launched an IPO in Tokyo.
Commercial property transactions hit a record US$1.45 billion in the first quarter.
Health minister Chen Shih-chung believed that the West was not “humble enough” in dealing with COVID-19 in an interview with the Telegraph.
Chen also announced (at a legislative hearing on Monday, March 29) that a deal to obtain COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech is not very likely.
With a different history and language, Matsu presents an interesting challenge to Taiwan’s identity question.
Penghu was invaded and occupied by France during the last days of the Sino-French War in 1885, as Taipei Times take a look back at history.
Pet psychics are apparently a cottage industry in Taiwan, as reported by the Washington Post.