Taiwan Archives - TPR: The Public's Radio

FILE - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech as he inspects Taiwanese reservists participating in reserve military training in Ilan County, Eastern Taiwan, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.

NPR

Taiwan’s Lai lands in Eswatini in a trip delayed by lack of overflight clearance

by The Associated Press May 2, 2026May 2, 2026

Eswatini remains the only African nation without tariff-free access to China’s market due to its ties with Taiwan.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visits a military base

NPR

The Taiwanese president’s proposal to hike defense spending faces gridlock at home

by Ashish Valentine January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

Opposition parties are slamming the brakes on billions in defense funding as the China escalates military pressure.

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te (center) is accompanied by his Vice President Bi-Khim Hsiao (second right) and officials wave national flags as they attend a New Year flag raising ceremony at the Presidential Office, in Taipei, Taiwan, on Thursday, Jan. 1.

NPR

Taiwan’s president pledges to defend island’s sovereignty after Chinese military drills

by The Associated Press January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed to defend the self-ruled island’s sovereignty in the face of what he termed China’s “expansionist ambitions,” days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire military drills near its shores.

President Donald Trump speaks during an address to the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington.

NPR

US announces massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion

by The Associated Press December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

The Trump administration has announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion that includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, a move that is sure to infuriate China.

This photo provided by Japan's Ministry of Defense shows the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's F-15 fighters holding a joint military drill with U.S. B-52 bombers in the vicinity of Japanese airspace on Wednesday.

NPR

U.S. and Japan flex military muscles in a show of force amid Tokyo’s feud with Beijing

by Anthony Kuhn December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

This follows joint drills by Chinese and Russian strategic bombers and fighters on Tuesday that prompted Japan and South Korea to scramble planes to monitor them.

Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, on Oct. 21.

NPR

China in diplomatic push to isolate Japan in feud over Taiwan issue

by Anthony Kuhn December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

No end in sight to spat between Japan and China over Taiwan, as neither Tokyo nor Beijing shows signs of backing down.

An R&D center for TSMC, producer of the world's most advanced microchips, in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

NPR

As political winds shift, top chipmaker TSMC looks beyond Taiwan

by John Ruwitch December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

The lifeblood of Silicon Valley — advanced microchips — pumps from a science park on Taiwan’s west coast, mostly from TSMC, the world’s biggest chipmaker. But now the company is looking abroad for places to grow.

Shih-Yuan Ma as I-Ann, Nina Ye as I-Jing and Janel Tsai as Shu-Fen in Left-Handed Girl.

NPR

‘Left-Handed Girl’ takes on quiet shame across generations in Taipei

by Teresa Xie November 28, 2025November 28, 2025

Shih-Ching Tsou has collaborated with filmmaker Sean Baker for years. Tsou’s solo directorial debut uses Taipei as its canvas to tell a story about women making ends meet in the city.