Taiwan is determined to strengthen its defences and plans record defence ‌spending next year, President Lai Ching-te said on Monday, describing his government's military budget proposal as an investment in peace.

Taiwan's cabinet will unveil next year's budget on Thursday, including a breakdown of where defence spending will go, but Lai confirmed media reports ​that 2027's overall defence budget would exceed T$1 trillion ($31.40 billion) for the first time.


Taiwan’s defence spending to cross $31 billion in 2027 

China and Indonesia just completed an unprecedented joint naval exercise in waters east of Taiwan, the first time Beijing has publicly trained with a foreign navy in this politically sensitive zone.


China-Indonesia's first-ever joint naval drill east of Taiwan draws Taipei's anger 

Taiwan is strengthening its cybersecurity defences after government agencies reportedly faced AI-powered cyberattacks. Authorities are stepping up efforts to protect critical systems and public infrastructure as the use of artificial intelligence in cyber threats becomes an increasing security concern.


Taiwan government agencies hit by AI-powered hacking campaign 

Taiwan is rapidly transforming its military strategy for a possible Chinese invasion. Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s drone warfare, Taipei is expanding fleets of aerial drones and unmanned attack boats designed to locate, track and strike invading forces.

During the 10-day Han kuang exercises, Taiwan is testing how these systems could operate alongside missiles and conventional weapons against a Chinese amphibious assault. Taiwan also aims to eventually produce up to 100,000 drones a month. But can cheap, mass-produced unmanned weapons really slow down China's vastly larger military?


Taipei tests war readiness with tanks, artillery & anti-aircraft

Taiwan is rapidly transforming its military strategy for a possible Chinese invasion. Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s drone warfare, Taipei is expanding fleets of aerial drones and unmanned attack boats designed to locate, track and strike invading forces.

During the 10-day Han kuang exercises, Taiwan is testing how these systems could operate alongside missiles and conventional weapons against a Chinese amphibious assault. Taiwan also aims to eventually produce up to 100,000 drones a month. But can cheap, mass-produced unmanned weapons really slow down China's vastly larger military?

Taiwan military prepares a drone nightmare for a Chinese invasion

Taiwan has conducted a major live-fire military drill simulating a Chinese assault, testing its forces’ ability to respond to a potential attack. The exercise comes amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait and growing concerns over China’s military pressure on the island.

The drills come amid rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait as China continues to increase military pressure through frequent air and naval patrols around the island. The Han Kuang exercise is considered Taiwan's most important annual defense drill and reflects its efforts to strengthen combat readiness against possible aggression.


Taiwan forces throttle internet, test new drones in military exercise

Taiwan forces conduct 10-day annual military exercise

Taiwan has demonstrated AI-powered drone boats as part of efforts to showcase advanced unmanned maritime technology. The autonomous vessels are designed to use artificial intelligence for navigation, surveillance and coordinated operations, highlighting Taiwan’s growing focus on smart maritime systems and next-generation defense technology.


Taiwan demonstrates AI-powered drone boats that could transform naval warfare

Taiwan has conducted a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) decontamination exercise as part of its ongoing annual Han Kuang military drills. The exercise, held in Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast, simulated a chemical weapons attack targeting military personnel and armored vehicles.

Troops practiced identifying contaminated areas, detecting hazardous substances and decontaminating personnel, tanks and armored vehicles. The drill is part of Taiwan’s broader effort to strengthen military readiness and prepare for a range of potential threats.

The Han Kuang exercises are Taiwan’s largest annual military drills and are taking place across the island through August 14. The exercises have attracted heightened attention amid growing tensions between Taiwan and China and discussions surrounding Beijing’s 2027 military readiness goals.


Taiwan holds NBC decontamination drill amid rising China tensions 

Taiwan has scrambled its ageing French-made Mirage fighter jets during the annual Han Kuang war games, demonstrating how the aircraft could be rapidly re-armed and returned to combat during a conflict with China. Crews at Hsinchu air base showcased the rapid attachment of Magic II and MICA air-to-air missiles, while ground teams rehearsed repairing bomb- and missile-damaged runways and taxiways. The 10-day exercises are focused on strengthening Taiwan's readiness for a potential Chinese attack.

Taiwan steps up military, civilian preparedness

Japan's 2026 defense white paper brands China as its greatest strategic challenge, highlighting regional security risks, military expansion near Taiwan, and deeper ties with Russia.


The White Paper identifies China as Japan's strategic challenge 

At least 15 people have died after Typhoon Bavi triggered landslides in the southern Philippines, while Taiwan evacuated thousands of residents and grounded hundreds of flights as the powerful storm approached the island.&nbsp;Authorities said a landslide caused by days of heavy rain killed 10 people in Sarangani province on the southern island of Mindanao on Friday. The latest incident raised the storm's death toll in the Philippines to at least 15.&nbsp;"Ten people got buried and were killed" when soil saturated by days of rain caused the landslide in Mindanao's Sarangani province, regional civil defence director Rodrigo Sosmena, AFP quoted as saying.&nbsp;Earlier on Friday, another landslide on Mindanao left at least five people dead, while six others remained missing.&nbsp;Bavi earlier swept across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as a super typhoon before weakening over the Pacific Ocean. It is forecast to strike northern and eastern Taiwan before moving towards Japan's southwestern islands and eastern China over the weekend.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-visit-is-historic-pm-modi-begins-first-new-zealand-trip-by-an-indian-prime-minister-in-four-decades-1783677484662">‘This visit is historic’: PM Modi begins first New Zealand trip by an Indian prime minister in four decades</a><h2>Taiwan braces for Typhoon Bavi</h2>Neighbouring Taiwan evacuated more than 2,000 people from their homes and cancelled hundreds of flights as the storm drew closer.&nbsp;Forecasters said Typhoon Bavi is expected to batter northern and eastern Taiwan on Friday and Saturday before moving across Japan's remote southwestern islands and then into eastern China.&nbsp;After hitting Guam and the Northern Marianas on Monday as a super typhoon, Bavi weakened into a typhoon as it travelled across the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;Taiwan's Central Weather Administration said Bavi's maximum sustained wind speeds reached 155 kilometres per hour, with gusts of around 190 kilometres per hour on Friday.&nbsp;Many schools and businesses remained closed across northern and eastern Taiwan on Friday, while hundreds of flights were cancelled.<h2>Japan and China remain on alert</h2>Japan's remote Sakashima Islands suspended classes and closed some government offices as authorities warned of high waves, strong winds and possible landslides.&nbsp;After passing Taiwan and Japan, Typhoon Bavi is expected to make landfall along China's eastern coast over the weekend, where maritime and transport authorities have activated emergency response measures.

Typhoon Bavi triggered deadly landslides that killed at least 15 people in the Philippines as Taiwan evacuated thousands and prepared for the storm's impact.

At least 15 people have died after Typhoon Bavi triggered landslides in the southern Philippines, while Taiwan evacuated thousands of residents and grounded hundreds of flights as the powerful storm approached the island. Authorities said a landslide caused by days of heavy rain killed 10 people in Sarangani province on the southern island of Mindanao on Friday. The latest incident raised the storm's death toll in the Philippines to at least 15. "Ten people got buried and were killed" when soil saturated by days of rain caused the landslide in Mindanao's Sarangani province, regional civil defence director Rodrigo Sosmena, AFP quoted as saying. Earlier on Friday, another landslide on Mindanao left at least five people dead, while six others remained missing. Bavi earlier swept across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as a super typhoon before weakening over the Pacific Ocean. It is forecast to strike northern and eastern Taiwan before moving towards Japan's southwestern islands and eastern China over the weekend. Also Read: ‘This visit is historic’: PM Modi begins first New Zealand trip by an Indian prime minister in four decades Taiwan braces for Typhoon Bavi Neighbouring Taiwan evacuated more than 2,000 people from their homes and cancelled hundreds of flights as the storm drew closer. Forecasters said Typhoon Bavi is expected to batter northern and eastern Taiwan on Friday and Saturday before moving across Japan's remote southwestern islands and then into eastern China. After hitting Guam and the Northern Marianas on Monday as a super typhoon, Bavi weakened into a typhoon as it travelled across the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration said Bavi's maximum sustained wind speeds reached 155 kilometres per hour, with gusts of around 190 kilometres per hour on Friday. Many schools and businesses remained closed across northern and eastern Taiwan on Friday, while hundreds of flights were cancelled. Japan and China remain on alert Japan's remote Sakashima Islands suspended classes and closed some government offices as authorities warned of high waves, strong winds and possible landslides. After passing Taiwan and Japan, Typhoon Bavi is expected to make landfall along China's eastern coast over the weekend, where maritime and transport authorities have activated emergency response measures.

Typhoon Bavi triggered deadly landslides that killed at least 15 people in the Philippines as Taiwan evacuated thousands and prepared for the storm's impact.

Typhoon Bavi triggers deadly landslides, kills at least 15 in Philippines as Taiwan braces for impact

Rare Taiwanese-language films, known locally as taiyupian, flourished briefly from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s under the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government, which fled to Taiwan following its defeat by the Chinese Communist Party.
Taiwan is now racing to restore the decades-old reels to preserve a chapter of its culture, with film preservers having salvaged fewer than one-sixth of the estimated 1,200 films produced.

Taiwan races to restore deacde-old film reels

Taiwan has reinstated "anti-communist" patriotic education for military academy graduates after a 25-year hiatus, responding to escalating military threats and infiltration risks from China. The Defense Ministry aims to clearly distinguish friends from foes and mentally prepare future officers for growing regional tensions.


Taiwan Resumes Patriotic Classes For Military Graduates Amid Chinese Aggression

Taiwan has carried out one of its most ambitious crisis simulations yet, testing how the island would respond to a scenario combining a Chinese blockade, a devastating earthquake, cyberattacks and coordinated disinformation campaigns. The exercise brought together government agencies, security officials and emergency responders to examine vulnerabilities and improve preparedness. As tensions across the Taiwan Strait remain high, the drill highlights how modern conflicts may involve far more than military action, blending cyber warfare, infrastructure disruption and information battles.


Taiwan holds biggest crisis drill amid China tensions

Taiwan rehearses its worst nightmare: Blockade, quake and cyber war

Lam Wing-kee, a Hong Kong bookseller who fled to Taiwan in 2019 after being detained by China in 2015 for selling content deemed critical of Beijing, died Thursday at the age of 70. Taiwan's semi-official Central News Agency reported that Lam had died at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei after a battle with cancer, citing an unnamed source.

Hong Kong dissident Lam Wing-Kee passes away at 70

Amid escalating tensions with Taiwan, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a clarion call for the complete reunification of China. Addressing a gathering to mark the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China, he stressed that resolving the Taiwan question is a historic mission for the party.


Xi commits to resolve 'Taiwan question' & achieve complete reunification of China

Chinese vessels closely monitored joint military exercises conducted by the Philippines and the United States. The naval drills come amid persistent tensions in the South China Sea. The exercise is aimed at strengthening interoperability and regional security cooperation.

Chinese vessels shadow Philippine-US military drills In South China Sea

Taiwan is facing heavy rain and flooding as the outer bands of Typhoon Mekkhala lash the island. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of more than 200 residents in eastern Taiwan amid fears of a barrier lake overflowing, while officials warn that more torrential rain is on the way.

Taiwan braces as typhoon 'Mekkhala' triggers floods, evacuations underway

In response to rising regional tensions, Taiwan has launched a major security exercise simulating a full-scale maritime and aerial blockade by the People's Liberation Army. As part of the annual "Han Kuang" drills, the Taiwanese military is testing its capacity to defend vital sea lanes, secure supply lines, and counter potential amphibious incursions.


Taiwan Simulates Chinese Maritime Blockade in Major Security Drill

Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are rising after reports of increased Chinese Coast Guard activity near Taiwan’s eastern waters. Taipei has accused Beijing of falsely asserting authority in the region, while the United States described the moves as deeply destabilising. Britain, France, and Germany have also voiced concern over the situation. China, however, says its actions are part of a maritime law enforcement operation. 


China’s Maritime Moves Around Taiwan Trigger US & Europe Alarm Over Regional Stability

Taipei has launched a five-day military exercise to test its transition from peacetime to wartime operations. Amid growing pressure from Beijing, the drills include joint offensive and defensive training, combat readiness checks, and unit coordination to prepare for a potential crisis across the Taiwan Strait.

China-Taiwan Tensions: Is Taipei Preparing for War?

China-Taiwan tensions are now reaching Taiwan's farms. Beijing's growing demand for Taiwanese custard apples is triggering fears in Taipei that agricultural trade could become a tool of political pressure. As concerns grow, officials are urging farmers to diversify exports and reduce reliance on the Chinese market.

China-Taiwan Tensions: Can Fruit Become a Political Weapon?

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