Ben Blanchard
Reuters Top News
China
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Past articles by Ben:
China stages combat patrols after warning Taiwan about U.S. speaker meeting
Nine Chinese aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line on Friday carrying out combat readiness patrols, Taiwan's defence ministry said, days after Beijing threatened retaliation if President Tsai Ing-wen meets U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. → Read More
Taiwan says defence spending to focus on readying for 'total blockade' by China
Taiwan's defence spending this year will focus on preparing weapons and equipment for a "total blockade" by China, including parts for F-16 fighters and replenishing weapons, the military said in a report. → Read More
Taiwan warns of China's 'repeated provocations'
Taiwan will not allow "repeated provocations" from China, the island's defence minister said on Tuesday, as China's foreign minister said Taiwan was the "first red line" that must not be crossed in Sino-U.S. relations. → Read More
China proffers 'peaceful reunification', Taiwan says respect our democracy
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan on Sunday as well as resolute steps to oppose Taiwan independence, with Taipei responding that Beijing should respect the Taiwanese people's commitment to democracy and freedom. → Read More
Taiwan military to get $619 million U.S. arms boost as China keeps up pressure
The United States has approved the potential sale of $619 million in new weapons to Taiwan, including missiles for its F-16 fleet, as the island reported a second day of large-scale Chinese air force incursions nearby. → Read More
Taiwan to extend compulsory military service, official says, as China shows air power
Taiwan will announce a plan on Tuesday to extend compulsory military service to one year from four months, a senior government official said, as the island deals with rising Chinese military pressure. → Read More
Taiwan seeks to reassure on TSMC commitment to island despite U.S. investment
Taiwan's economy minister said on Wednesday that the island remains chipmaker TSMC's most important production base after the company announced it would more than triple planned investment at its new Arizona plant to $40 billion. → Read More
Chip giant Taiwan eyes bigger tax breaks for tech R&D to retain competitive edge
Taiwan on Thursday proposed larger tax breaks for technology companies' research and development (R&D), seeking to retain its leading position in semiconductor manufacturing as other countries offer billions to bolster their chip industries. → Read More
Taiwan president decries 'rumours' about the island's chip investment risk
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has decried what she called "rumours" about the risk of investing in the island's semiconductor industry and said the government was working hard to ensure investments continued. → Read More
Apple supplier Foxconn adjusts production to avoid holiday blues
Apple Inc supplier Foxconn said on Thursday it expected smartphone revenue to fall this quarter and is adjusting production to prevent recent COVID-19 curbs at a massive iPhone factory in China from impacting holiday orders. → Read More
Taiwan aims for British trade deal as minister meets president
Taiwan hopes to sign a trade deal with Britain and deepen cooperation with new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government, President Tsai Ing-wen told a British minister visiting Taipei on Wednesday in defiance of Chinese demands such trips stop. → Read More
Chinese iPhone plant still under strict COVID curbs despite lift of lockdown
An iPhone plant in China that has come to symbolise worker discontent with harsh COVID curbs will continue to isolate its operations and staff despite the lift of a seven-day lockdown for the rest of the industrial park in which it is located. → Read More
Apple warns of hit to iPhone shipments from China COVID disruption
Apple Inc expects lower shipments of high-end iPhone 14 models than previously anticipated following a significant production cut at a virus-blighted plant in China, dampening its sales outlook for the year-end holiday season. → Read More
China will never renounce right to use force over Taiwan, Xi says
It is up to the Chinese people to resolve the Taiwan issue and China will never renounce the right to use force but will strive for a peaceful resolution, President Xi Jinping said on Sunday at the opening of a major party meeting. → Read More
TSMC cuts capex on inflation worries after posting 80% profit jump
Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC's quarterly profit surged 80% on strong sales of its chips used in data centres and electric cars, but the company cut its annual investment budget by at least 10% and struck a more cautious tone on upcoming demand. → Read More
Analysis: Fearing war in Xi's next term, Taiwan bolsters defences
Taiwan is bolstering its defences and steeling itself for the possibility of war with China as leader Xi Jinping readies to assume a third term in power and tries to achieve what no predecessor has done by taking control of the island. → Read More
Taiwan says war with China 'absolutely' not an option, but bolstering defences
War between Taiwan and China is "absolutely not an option", Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Monday, as she reiterated her willingness to talk to Beijing and also pledged to boost the island's defences including with precision missiles. → Read More
Taiwan president to pledge to bolster combat power as China tensions rise
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will pledge to bolster the island's combat power and determination to improve its defences in a major speech on Monday, at a time when tensions with China have risen dramatically. → Read More
Paraguay says 'excellent' Taiwan ties not conditional on new investment
Paraguay's foreign ministry said on Thursday that the South American country's diplomatic ties with Taiwan were "excellent" and not conditional on extra investment, amid rising pressure from China to win over the island's few remaining allies. → Read More
China blockade would be act of war, Taiwan would not surrender, official says
A Chinese blockade of Taiwan or the seizure of an offshore island would be considered an act of war and Taiwan would not surrender, a senior Taiwanese security official told Reuters using unusually strong and direct language. → Read More