Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Taiwan excluded from EU's 'safe' travel list CNA 30 Jun 2020 -- Despite Taiwan's success in controlling the spread of the new coronavirus, it has not been included among the countries that will be exempted from the European Union's (EU) COVID-19 travel ban starting Wednesday.
• Hong Kong Security Law Shows Failure of 'One Country, Two Systems': Taiwan Radio Free Asia 30 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen said Beijing had failed Hong Kong with the imposition on Tuesday of a sweeping national security law on the city banning a slew of offenses targeting anyone who challenges the ruling Communist Party's political and ideological supremacy.
• Government to continue requisitioning masks until year-end: CECC CNA 30 Jun 2020 -- The Taiwan government will maintain its program to requisition surgical face masks until the end of the year to ensure a stockpile to meet domestic needs, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Tuesday.
• Navy plans live-fire torpedo drill on Wednesday: source CNA 30 Jun 2020 -- The Taiwanese Navy's submarines plan to carry out a live-fire torpedo drill for the first time in 13 years off the coast of southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday, a military source said Tuesday.
• U.S. military aircraft flies near Taiwan for 10th day CNA 30 Jun 2020 -- A United States warplane flew over waters near Taiwan on Tuesday, the 10th consecutive day American military aircraft have been active in the area at a time when China forced through a highly controversial security law for Hong Kong.
• Natl security law for HK to cut off the 'dark hands' of Taiwan DPP creating trouble in HK: Taiwan Affairs Office Global Times 30 Jun 2020 -- The Taiwan separatist authority, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), made irresponsible criticism of the national security law for HK, and this has revealed its toxic purpose - making trouble in Hong Kong and realizing its separatist goal: Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council
• 'Wishful Thinking': US May Be Unwilling to Fight China Over Taiwan, Strategists Fear Sputnik 30 Jun 2020 -- While the US may be gearing up for a military confrontation with China, some Taiwanese strategists are worried Washington may not be willing to make it happen over a cross-strait invasion.
• Beijing's move shows 'one country, two systems' not feasible: Tsai CNA 30 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday expressed dismay over China's passage of a national security law for Hong Kong, saying Beijing has broken its pledge to Hong Kong to let it maintain a high degree of autonomy for at least 50 years.
• Public health experts suggest COVID-19 testing of all arrivals CNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Taiwanese public health experts on Monday called for all travelers entering Taiwan from overseas to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, following a model used in Iceland to kick start its economy amid the pandemic.
• COVID-19 patient recovers with help of rheumatoid arthritis drug CNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Doctors at Taipei Veterans General Hospital on Monday reported success in their treatment of a high-risk COVID-19 patient, with a drug commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis.
• Taiwan to continue requisitioning face masks until end of July CNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Despite the COVID-19 situation subsiding in Taiwan, the government will continue to requisition 8 million surgical face masks per day until the end of July, an economic ministry official said on Monday.
• US using Taiwan as 'last card' may only speed up reunification Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- As the US has been increasingly high-profile in demonstrating its illegal military cooperation with the island of Taiwan such as releasing on Monday rare footage showing joint training exercises between US and Taiwan forces on the island, on the same day, both Chinese and US military aircraft were seen in the airspace near the island of Taiwan.
• President announces measures to strengthen military reserves CNA 29 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) announced measures Monday to make Taiwan's military reserve force a more reliable backup for the regular forces in protecting the county amid increased military movements around Taiwan.
• U.S. warplanes spotted flying over waters near Taiwan CNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Several American warplanes were observed flying over the Bashi Channel near Taiwan at separate times on Monday, according to posts by several aircraft tracking accounts on Twitter.
• U.S. anti-sub aircraft spotted near Taiwan for eighth consecutive day CNA 28 Jun 2020 -- An American P-8A maritime patrol aircraft was spotted Sunday operating over the Bashi Channel, a strategic water way connecting the South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, according to Chinese think tank South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI).
• PLA bombers approach Taiwan island from the east Global Times 28 Jun 2020 -- Two bombers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly approached the island of Taiwan from the east after crossing the Miyako Strait on Sunday, after PLA aircraft conducted at least eight sorties to Taiwan's southwestern "airspace" in June alone.
• U.S. lawmakers introduce Taiwan Fellowship Act CNA 27 Jun 2020 -- U.S. lawmakers have introduced the Taiwan Fellowship Act to help U.S. federal government officials gain a better understanding about Taiwan, said Democratic Senator Edward Markey, one of the lawmakers proposing the act, on Friday.
• No spread of infection by COVID-19-positive Japanese student: CECC CNA 26 Jun 2020 -- Over 100 people who came in contact with a Japanese student in Taiwan later confirmed to have COVID-19 have all tested negative for the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) Friday.
• Another Chinese military plane spotted entering Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 26 Jun 2020 -- Another Chinese military aircraft has been spotted entering Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA flies aircraft to Taiwan, both US and Taiwan military activities targeted Global Times 26 Jun 2020 -- For the eighth time in June, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly sent military aircraft to Taiwan's southwestern "airspace" on Friday.
• Taiwan reports one new imported COVID-19 case, bringing total to 447 CNA 25 Jun 2020 -- One new imported case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Taiwan on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 447, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Japanese student with COVID-19 a 'weak positive,' likely not contagious CNA 25 Jun 2020 -- A Japanese woman studying in Taiwan who tested positive for COVID-19 after returning to Japan had low amounts of the virus in her body and was likely not contagious, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Thursday.
• U.S. defense bill supports Taiwan's military, COVID-19 cooperation CNA 25 Jun 2020 -- The Armed Services Committee of the U.S. Senate released on Tuesday its version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes provisions that support both the strengthening of Taiwan's military and further cooperation on efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Three U.S. military planes spotted south of Taiwan CNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Three American military aircraft were seen Thursday flying over the Bashi Channel, a strategic waterway south of Taiwan that is used by Chinese submarines sailing from Hainan Province into the Pacific.
• No new COVID-19 cases reported in Taiwan Wednesday CNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan reported no new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus on Wednesday, leaving the total number of cases at 446 since the pandemic began at the end of December, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan to allow foreign nationals to apply for non-tourist entry (update) CNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan will begin allowing foreign nationals to apply to enter the country for reasons other than tourism and social visits starting June 29, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced Wednesday.
• Tsai urges against 'unilateral actions' in Diaotuyais dispute CNA 24 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday urged all parties involved in the territorial dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea to avoid taking "unilateral actions" that could escalate regional tensions.
• Chinese defense spokesperson slams US recent interference with Taiwan PLA Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and Taiwan affairs are purely China's internal affairs that allow no external interference, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense said on Wednesday at a regular press conference.
• China Sends 8 Military Planes into Taiwan Airspace; Analysts See Move as Warning to US and Others VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan says Chinese military planes have flown into its air defense space six times in a single week and eight times this month, so far.
• Taiwan Announces Aid Plan for Hong Kongers Who Have Fled to Taiwan VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan announced recently a plan to use state funds to help Hong Kong protesters who have fled to Taiwan out of fear of prosecution at home.
• Taiwan repeats position on Diaoyutais amid envoy's dissenting view CNA 23 Jun 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday reasserted Taiwan's sovereignty over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands after Taiwan's envoy to Japan seemed to say otherwise in a Facebook post.
• Taiwan conducts mine drill amid increasing Chinese military activity CNA 23 Jun 2020 -- The Navy held an exercise recently to hone its troops' skills in naval mine warfare amid increasing Chinese military activity around Taiwan, a military source confirmed Tuesday.
• Military to remain vigilant amid Chinese Airforce intrusions: Tsai CNA 23 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday called on Taiwan's military to remain vigilant in the wake of frequent incursions by Chinese Airforce planes into the nation's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the past few weeks.
• Taiwan protests against Japan's name change for Diaoyutai area CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan on Monday protested against Japan's decision to change the name of an administrative area that covers the Diaoyutai Islands, saying it was an infringement on Taiwan's territorial claim to the islands.
• US would love to see tensions in Asia around Diaoyu Islands: expert Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- A Japanese local government's bill approved on Monday to change the administrative designation of the disputed Diaoyu Islands can't change China's sovereignty and control over the islands, as Chinese Coast Guard vessels still conducted patrol missions in the territorial waters of the islands the same day, experts said, noting that the bill would not affect the status quo much.
• Visitors to Taiwan increase as doors open to business travelers CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- The number of arrivals at Taiwan's largest airport increased sharply Monday -- the first day that Taiwan opened its doors to foreign business travelers from certain countries and areas since mid-March, when border controls due to COVID-19 were imposed.
• Taiwan redeploys soldiers to South China Sea for training: source CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Taiwanese marines have been temporarily deployed to the Pratas Islands (東沙島) in the South China Sea amid reports the Chinese military plans to conduct drills in the area in August, a defense official confirmed Monday.
• AJT trainer jet is new design not upgraded IDF: test pilots CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan's first indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT), codenamed Brave Eagle, is a brand-new design not an upgraded version of the decades-old Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF), two test flight pilots told media Monday after completing the trainer's inaugural public flight in Taichung earlier in the day.
• Tsai lauds Taiwan's aerospace industry as Brave Eagle takes off CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Monday that the launch of Taiwan's first indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT), codenamed Brave Eagle, signified the development of the country's aerospace industry.
• Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ for 8th time in June CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Two Chinese military aircraft were spotted entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday for a second day in a row and the sixth time in seven days according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• Businessman to serve 9 months in prison for espionage CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- A Taiwanese businessman surnamed Tu (凃), who had implemented a plan more than 10 years ago to obtain and pass on Taiwan military documents to China, will serve a prison sentence of nine months, as the Supreme Court on Monday rejected his final appeal.
• Chinese military plane enters Taiwan's ADIZ; seventh time this month CNA 21 Jun 2020 -- A Chinese military jet was spotted entering Taiwan's airspace on Sunday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said later that day, marking the seventh time this month that Chinese aircraft have been found entering the nation's air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
• Army special forces conducting 15-day training in northern Taiwan CNA 21 Jun 2020 -- An Army special forces division is undergoing a 15-day training program that comprises a 350-kilometer march and is scheduled to conclude on Monday.
• Indigenous jet trainer one of most advanced: Taiwanese analyst CNA 21 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan's first indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT), the Brave Eagle, is considered one of the most advanced fifth-generation trainer aircraft in the world, a Taiwanese defense analyst said Sunday, ahead of the AJT's inaugural flight the next day.
• Beijing COVID-19 outbreak did not come from Taiwan: CECC CNA 20 Jun 2020 -- Despite similarities in the strain types, a recent COVID-19 coronavirus cluster outbreak in Beijing did not originate from Taiwan, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Saturday.
• Pompeo reiterates U.S. support for Taiwan's participation in WHA CNA 20 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated on Friday in the third Copenhagen Democracy Summit that the United States supports Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), saying Taiwan's presence will be "useful" to the global community at a time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• $6.9 Billion US Military Initiative Would Benefit Taiwan, Vietnam VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- A $6.9 billion U.S. military initiative that's moving through the Senate would aid beleaguered Taiwan and Vietnam by thwarting major threats from their rival China, analysts say.
• Taiwan reports one new COVID-19 case, bringing total to 446 CNA 18 Jun 2020 -- A man who returned from Bangladesh last week has been diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Taiwan to 446, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Thursday.
• Taiwan to donate COVID-19 rapid antibody test kits to Honduras CNA 18 Jun 2020 -- The Taiwan government is to donate a batch of 10,000 rapid COVID-19 antibody test kits to Honduras to help the Central American ally's ongoing fight against the pandemic, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said Thursday.
• Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ for third time this week CNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Two Chinese military planes were spotted for the third time this week entering Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Thursday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA fighter jets conduct sortie as US military aircraft approaches Taiwan Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) fighter jets on Thursday again approached Taiwan island, media reported, citing Taiwan's defense authority, leading Taiwan media to speculate that the PLA aircraft were monitoring a US plane flying near the island around the same time.
• Taiwan Warns Off Two Chinese Aircraft in Fourth Recent Incident Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- In the fourth such incident in just nine days, Taiwanese aircraft on Wednesday warned off two People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft nearing the island's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
• Yet Another S. China Sea Survey by China, near Taiwan-occupied Pratas Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- China has begun a new deep sea survey in the South China Sea, near the Taiwan-occupied feature of Pratas, ship-tracking software shows.
• Two former legislative aides detained, suspected of spying for China CNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Two former legislative aides in Taiwan's national legislature were detained and held incommunicado Thursday on suspicion of involvement in developing organizations for Chinese intelligence officers and providing them with classified information.
• CECC to loosen quarantine rules for business travelers from June 22 CNA 17 Jun 2020 -- Business travelers arriving from certain countries will be allowed to apply to shorten the length of their mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entering Taiwan from June 22, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday.
• Update: PLA warplanes conduct consecutive missions near Taiwan Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) warplanes have approached Taiwan island at least four times in just nine days, with the latest being aircraft including J-10 fighter jets and Y-8 aircraft again entering the island's southwestern "airspace," media reported Wednesday. This shows that this kind of operation by the PLA has become normalized and will put huge pressure on secessionists, analysts said.
• 'Turn Away Immediately': Taiwan Says It Drove Away Chinese J-10 Fighter Nearing Island's Airspace Sputnik 16 Jun 2020 -- Another Chinese aircraft was intercepted by Taiwanese jets near the autonomous island on Tuesday, just the latest in a string of similar encounters. Meanwhile, several American military aircraft were spotted near the island as well.
• China fighter jet enters Taiwan's air defense identification zone CNA 16 Jun 2020 -- A Chengdu J-10 fighter jet from the Chinese military entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday before being chased off by Taiwanese patrol planes, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• U.S. remains 'committed to a democratic Taiwan': U.S. official CNA 16 Jun 2020 -- United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper tweeted Monday that the U.S. would continue to partner with countries in the Indo-Pacific and support Taiwan.
• Taiwan adds two new imported COVID-19 cases after 13-day hiatus CNA 15 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan reported two more imported COVID-19 cases on Monday, while maintaining zero local transmission for 64 days, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan vows to protect fishermen's rights in disputed waters CNA 15 Jun 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) assured Taiwanese fishermen on Monday that their rights to fish in waters surrounding the disputed Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea will be protected.
• US plane's flight over Taiwan 'erroneous and dangerous', says defense ministry PLA Daily 16 Jun 2020 -- A recent unauthorized flight by a United States naval transport aircraft over Taiwan was "extremely erroneous and dangerous", Ministry of National Defense spokesman Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang said in a statement issued on Monday.
• Chinese Ministry of National Defense slams U.S. military plane flying over Taiwan PLA Daily 15 Jun 2020 -- On Monday afternoon, a Chinese defense spokesperson slammed the flight by a U.S. C-40 military transport aircraft over Chinese territory without Chinese side's permission on June 9, calling it an extremely wrong and dangerous action.
• Taiwan needs to prepare for China's maritime militia threat: experts CNA 14 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan needs to be better prepared for offensives by China's state-supported maritime militia, which Beijing uses to further its political, economic and military goals in the region, Taiwanese security analysts said in a recent study.
• Class in Kaohsiung school suspended on suspicion of COVID-19 CNA 13 Jun 2020 -- The Kaohsiung Department of Health ordered a secondary school in the city to suspend classes Saturday after half the students in the class had fallen ill in the previous four days with symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.
• MND finds flawed COVID-19 prevention measures on Navy ship CNA 12 Jun 2020 -- Several health procedures on board a Navy ship that was plagued by COVID-19 cases after it returned to Taiwan from a goodwill mission to Palau in April were flawed, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Friday.
• U.S. senator introduces new Taiwan defense bill CNA 12 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has introduced a bill named the Taiwan Defense Act (TDA), which is aimed at ensuring that American armed forces can maintain their ability to fend off any invasion of Taiwan by China.
• Chinese military Y-8 transporter expelled from Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 12 Jun 2020 -- A Chinese military Y-8 transport aircraft entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) while flying over waters southwest of the country on Friday, but was chased away shortly by Taiwanese fighter jets, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.
• PLA special mission aircraft approaches Taiwan after the island's missile test Global Times 12 Jun 2020 -- A Y-8 aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), possibly a variant of intelligence gathering, on Friday approached the island of Taiwan, a day after the island conducted missile tests, and three days after a group of PLA fighter jets approached the island.
• Chinese mainland warns Taiwan's separatists to 'step back from the brink' or face punishment Global Times 12 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Friday warned Taiwan's separatists to "step back from the brink" as some rebel groups on the island plan for "constitutional amendment" and "rectification of name" with clearly-defined separatism goals.
• 'Illegal Act': Beijing Denounces US Flight Over Taiwan as 'Provocative Incident' Sputnik 11 Jun 2020 -- After Taipei allowed a US Navy cargo plane to fly across Taiwan on Monday, Beijing accused Washington of being "provocative," denouncing the action as "illegal." China regards Taiwan as a rebellious province, and the island's airspace as its own, so US support for Taipei walks a fine line.
• Chinese mainland slams US military aircraft's flight over Taiwan Island Global Times 11 Jun 2020 -- Chinese mainland authorities on Thursday slammed the US for sending a military transport aircraft over the island of Taiwan, saying that all necessary measures will be taken to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.
• China slams U.S. military plane flying over Taiwan PLA Daily 11 Jun 2020 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Thursday slammed the flight by a U.S. military aircraft over Taiwan earlier this week, calling it an unlawful act and a serious provocation.
• China denounces 'provocative' flight of US military aircraft over Taiwan Press TV 11 Jun 2020 -- China has lambasted the United States for flying one of its military transport jets over the self-ruled island of Taiwan, condemning the contentious move as an "illegal act" and "serious provocation."
• No new cases of COVID-19 as CECC switches to weekly briefings CNA 10 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan reported no new cases of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday, leaving the total number of cases at 443 since the outbreak began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• New indigenous trainer jet conducts first test flight in Taichung CNA 10 Jun 2020 -- The first test flight of Taiwan's new indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT) was conducted in Taichung on Wednesday when a prototype of the trainer flew for around 20 minutes.
• China's threats spurred visit to Taiwan: Czech Senate president CNA 10 Jun 2020 -- The president of the Czech Republic's Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, said Tuesday that threats from China and a desire to uphold democratic values strengthened his intent to visit Taiwan.
• Taiwan planning to loosen quarantine rules for business travelers CNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan is devising regulations that will make it easier for business travelers to visit Taiwan after border restrictions are relaxed, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Monday.
• Taiwan to conduct annual war games in July and September CNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan's annual Han Kuang exercises (漢光演習) will be conducted in July and September and will test the country's asymmetric capabilities to ward off hostile forces at sea and along its beaches, the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday.
• Annual public air raid drills to be streamlined amid COVID-19 CNA 09 Jun 2020 -- The annual Wan An drills, which involves the public, will be limited to one day this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday.
• Navy holds keel-laying ceremony for amphibious transport dock CNA 09 Jun 2020 -- The ROC Navy held a keel-laying ceremony for an amphibious transport dock at CSBC Corp. Taiwan's factory in Kaohsiung on Tuesday to highlight the construction of the warship and Taiwan's policy to build weapons at home.
• Military planes from China and the U.S. enter Taiwan's airspace CNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Several Chinese Sukhoi Su-30 fighters and a U.S. C-40 Clipper military transport plane flew in Taiwan's airspace Tuesday morning, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) has confirmed.
• PLA Su-30 fighter jets edge near Taiwan as US military aircraft flies through the island Global Times 09 Jun 2020 -- The island of Taiwan's defense authority said fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) approached the island on Tuesday, the day a US military aircraft flew over the island that's bound to further raise cross-Straits tensions following a series of US arms sales to the island, and a US warship transit through the Taiwan Straits.
• China will precisely retaliate against Czech Republic Senate speaker who plans to visit Taiwan Global Times 09 Jun 2020 -- The speaker of the Czech Republic's Senate announced on Tuesday that he will visit China's Taiwan, a move which shows support for the separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities on the island, despite warnings from the Chinese mainland and a recommendation from his own government that he not take the trip. Analysts said China's retaliation should precisely hit politicians who provoke China's sovereignty and avoid harming innocent Czech companies in China.
• Taiwan to test indigenous advanced jet trainer in two weeks CNA 08 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan's Air Force is set to test the first locally developed advanced jet trainer (AJT) on June 22 at Taichung Air Base weather permitting, with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) expected to attend, a military official told CNA on Monday.
• Taiwan faces increased "grey zone conflict" threat: scholar CNA 08 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan faces increased threats from Beijing through the expanded deployment of "gray zone conflict" tactics, a Taiwanese security analyst has said.
• Taiwan Voters Recall Pro-China Mayor of Kaohsiung Radio Free Asia 08 Jun 2020 -- Residents of Taiwan's southern port city of Kaohsiung overwhelmingly voted to oust their pro-China mayor at the weekend, a first in the democratic island's history.
• Taiwan eases COVID-19 rules as domestic transmissions stay at zero CNA 07 Jun 2020 -- The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Sunday lifted some of its restrictions on large gatherings, social distancing and the need for face masks, citing Taiwan's record of no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases for 56 straight days.
• Taiwan launches website to share COVID-19 experience worldwide CNA 07 Jun 2020 -- The Ministry of Health and Welfare has launched a website to share with the world the successful policies that Taiwan has implemented in its prevention efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Sunday.
• No new cases of COVID-19 reported in Taiwan Saturday CNA 06 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan reported no new cases of the new coronavirus COVID-19 on Saturday, leaving the total number of cases at 443 since the outbreak emerged late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan reiterates sovereignty rights over Diaoyutai Islands CNA 06 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday reiterated Taiwan's sovereignty rights over the Diaoyutai Islands, called Senkaku Islands by Japan, amid a reported plan by a Japanese local government to change their district name.
• Taiwan reports no new COVID-19 cases Friday CNA 05 Jun 2020 -- No new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus were reported in Taiwan on Friday, leaving the total number of cases at 443 since the pandemic emerged late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan approves 1st domestic COVID-19 antibody reagent CNA 05 Jun 2020 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a domestically-developed and produced antibody reagent for the COVID-19 coronavirus disease, the first of its kind licensed in Taiwan, an FDA official said Friday.
• Close to 40 percent of imported COVID-19 cases found at border: CECC CNA 05 Jun 2020 -- Close to 40 percent of the country's COVID-19 coronavirus cases were found by Taiwan's border control officials, reflecting the country's success at keeping the virus at bay, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Friday.
• Mask requirement on Taipei metro, buses to be conditionally eased CNA 05 Jun 2020 -- People using Taipei mass rapid transit (Taipei metro) and public bus services will no longer be required to wear face masks all the time when they are at stations, in metro cars or buses from June 7, the city's deputy mayor announced Friday.
• U.S. destroyer transits Taiwan Strait on June 4 CNA 05 Jun 2020 -- A United States destroyer transited the Taiwan Strait on routine operations on Thursday, the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in China, according to Taiwan's defense ministry and the U.S. 7th Fleet.
• US warship crosses Taiwan Straits attempting to shift its domestic pressure: analyst Global Times 05 Jun 2020 -- A US warship made a transit through the Taiwan Straits on Thursday, the seventh of such an event in 2020. The move is not only preparing the US military for a potential conflict in the region and an attempt to provoke the Chinese mainland, but also an attempt to shift domestic pressure from widespread protests, COVID-19 and a poor economy, for which the Chinese mainland should maintain its strategic focus and not dance to the US' tune, analysts said on Friday.
• China Calls US Warship's Taiwan Strait Transit a Provocation VOA 05 Jun 2020 -- Chinese state media and internet users Friday accused the United States of making "another provocative move" as a warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait – the seventh such transit by the U.S. Navy this year, at a time when the island mourns victims of China's 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
• No new COVID-19 cases reported in Taiwan Thursday CNA 04 Jun 2020 -- The total number of confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus cases in Taiwan remained at 443 Thursday, as there were no new infections, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said at its daily press briefing.
• No new COVID-19 cases reported in Taiwan Wednesday CNA 03 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan reported no new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus on Wednesday, leaving the total number of cases at 443 since the pandemic emerged late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• COVID-19 rules to be eased after June 7 on trains, domestic flights CNA 03 Jun 2020 -- The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said Wednesday that it plans to relax its COVID-19 control measures on trains and domestic flights after June 7, as the disease has been slowing in Taiwan.
• Taiwan may enter clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine by year-end: CECC CNA 03 Jun 2020 -- Five research facilities and biotechnology companies in Taiwan are currently developing vaccines for the COVID-19 coronavirus, most of which are expected to enter clinical trials by the end of this year, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday.
• No new COVID-19 cases reported in Taiwan Tuesday CNA 02 Jun 2020 -- No new cases of the new coronavirus COVID-19 were reported in Taiwan on Tuesday, leaving the total number of cases at 443 since the outbreak emerged late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Health of public priority in border opening plan: MOFA CNA 02 Jun 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) gave its assurance Tuesday that the country's health will remain a priority amid the COVID-19 pandemic when the government discusses mutual relaxation of border restrictions with other countries.
• President Tsai christens Taiwan's largest coast guard ship 'Chiayi' CNA 02 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) broke a bottle of champagne over the bow of a 4,000-ton coast guard vessel on Tuesday, naming it the "Chiayi" (嘉義), at the christening of Taiwan's largest patrol ship, in the southern port city of Kaohsiung.
• 73 percent of Taiwanese say China's government not a 'friend': survey CNA 02 Jun 2020 -- 73 percent of Taiwanese say the Chinese government is not a "friend" of Taiwan's, a 15 percent increase from the previous year, according to the results of a survey released Tuesday.
• Taiwan Eyeing US-Made Anti-Ship Missiles for Coastal Defense, Despite Beijing's Disapproval Sputnik 01 Jun 2020 -- As tensions between Washington and Beijing persist, Taipei is maintaining its autonomy and has expressed interest in securing a deal for new Harpoon anti-ship missiles from US-based defense contractor Boeing.
• Taiwan reports one new COVID-19 case Monday CNA 01 Jun 2020 -- One new case of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease was reported in Taiwan on Monday, breaking a two-day stretch of no new confirmed infections in the country, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan willing to share mobile technology to combat COVID-19 pandemic CNA 01 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan has devised various mobile apps to help combat the COVID-19 coronavirus and is offering to share the technology with other countries, the Central Epidemic Command Center said Monday.
• Convenience stores in Taiwan begin selling unrationed surgical masks CNA 01 Jun 2020 -- Major convenience store chains in Taiwan announced recently that they would be selling or allowing customers to pre-order surgical masks at their stores this week.
• Taiwan-made rapid test for COVID-19 may be available by year-end: NHRI CNA 01 Jun 2020 -- Two Taiwanese research institutes said Monday that they are likely to have a rapid diagnostic test for the COVID-19 coronavirus ready for the market by the end of the year.
• Taiwan reports no locally infected COVID-19 cases for 49 days People's Daily 01 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan has reported no locally infected COVID-19 cases for 49 days, the island's epidemic monitoring agency said Sunday.