For 9 days, Chinese warplanes have been buzzing around Taiwan. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense fears China could launch a 'simulated bio-chemical attack'. Palki Sharma tells you how this signals the beginning of a new escalation.

Gravitas: China-Taiwan tensions are escalating once again

A Bizarre article from 2013 has resurfaced on Chinese social media. It claims that Beijing will invade Taiwan by 2025 and Arunachal Pradesh by 2040. The article's nuances are laughable, the endgame is not. Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Bizarre article claims China will invade Arunachal

Reports say the Biden administration is considering a request from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-says-19-chinese-warplanes-entered-air-defence-zone-411139">Taiwan</a> government to change the name of its mission in Washington from Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office to Taiwan Representative Office.

China has reportedly hit out at the move and warned the US government not to intervene in the One-China policy. Reports added that the US government is "seriously considering" allowing Taiwan to use its name which is being widely seen as a symbolic gesture amid tensions with China.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-taiwan-tensions-are-escalating-once-again-412875/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US had repeatedly stressed its support for Taiwan maintaining that it is "rock solid". Taiwan had earlier opened a &nbsp;representative office in Lithuania and named it "Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-will-beat-russia-in-war-bizarre-article-that-also-talks-about-reunifying-taiwan-taking-arunachal-pradesh-from-india-goes-viral-after-8-years-412766">Also Read: 'China will beat Russia in war'- Bizarre article that also talks about reunifying Taiwan</a>

China reacted angrily as it recalled its envoy from the country and imposed sanctions on Lithuania, however, the country's foreign minister backed the move amid tensions with China although he added that&nbsp;Lithuania is keen on finding a diplomatic solution to the tussle with China.

China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province and has vowed to unify the country with the mainland by force if necessary. Taiwan's relations with China has been going downhill for the past few years even as the US government has sold several state of the art arms to the country amid China's threat.

The US government had recently approved howitzers and munitions kit worth $750 million&nbsp;and given advanced jets to the country. Amid tensions with Taiwan, Chinese jets have repeatedly entered Taipei's airspace in the past year raising tensions between the two countries.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Taiwan began its five-day military exercise on Monday with live-fire drills. The drill&nbsp;involved fighter jets and Naval ships. Taiwan also deployed the C-130 transport aircraft as it conducted a simulated Chinese attack.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Reports say the Biden administration is considering a request from the Taiwan government to change the name of its mission in Washington from Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office to Taiwan Representative Office.

Reports say the Biden administration is considering a request from the Taiwan government to change the name of its mission in Washington from Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office to Taiwan Representative Office. China has reportedly hit out at the move and warned the US government not to intervene in the One-China policy. Reports added that the US government is "seriously considering" allowing Taiwan to use its name which is being widely seen as a symbolic gesture amid tensions with China. Watch: The US had repeatedly stressed its support for Taiwan maintaining that it is "rock solid". Taiwan had earlier opened a representative office in Lithuania and named it "Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania". Also Read: 'China will beat Russia in war'- Bizarre article that also talks about reunifying Taiwan China reacted angrily as it recalled its envoy from the country and imposed sanctions on Lithuania, however, the country's foreign minister backed the move amid tensions with China although he added that Lithuania is keen on finding a diplomatic solution to the tussle with China. China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province and has vowed to unify the country with the mainland by force if necessary. Taiwan's relations with China has been going downhill for the past few years even as the US government has sold several state of the art arms to the country amid China's threat. The US government had recently approved howitzers and munitions kit worth $750 million and given advanced jets to the country. Amid tensions with Taiwan, Chinese jets have repeatedly entered Taipei's airspace in the past year raising tensions between the two countries. Meanwhile, Taiwan began its five-day military exercise on Monday with live-fire drills. The drill involved fighter jets and Naval ships. Taiwan also deployed the C-130 transport aircraft as it conducted a simulated Chinese attack. (With inputs from Agencies)

Taiwan wants its US office to be renamed; China retaliates: Report

Typhoon Chanthu unleashed powerful winds and heavy rain on eastern Taiwan on Sunday. Nearly 100 flights and ferries have been cancelled due to the typhoon.

Typhoon Chanthu brings heavy rainfall to Taiwan, over 100 flights cancelled

Typhoon Chanthu drenched Taiwan on Sunday as the storm's center passed the island's east coast.

Typhoon Chanthu drenches Taiwan

Fishermen and restaurant owners in Taiwan prepared for typhoon&nbsp;Chanthu&nbsp;on Saturday, tying up ships in the Harbour and preparing to close shop/

Chanthu&nbsp;was downgraded to a medium typhoon on Saturday by Taiwan's weather authorities, who said that while it would bring heavy rain and gusting winds to most of the island it was unlikely to make direct landfall.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/super-typhoon-chanthu-threatens-philippines-taiwan-412119">Also read |&nbsp;Super typhoon Chanthu threatens Philippines, Taiwan</a>

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau said the storm, which was at one point categorised a super typhoon, was losing strength as it headed up the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines.

It forecast&nbsp;Chanthu&nbsp;would skirt Taiwan's sparsely populated and mountainous east coast on Saturday night and into Sunday (September 12) morning, then head towards China's Zhejiang province and Shanghai.

Taiwanese airlines cancelled their Saturday afternoon domestic flights, though there was only limited impact on international services. The government has ordered disaster preparations in case of landslides or flooding.

Fishermen and restaurant owners in Taiwan prepared for typhoon Chanthu on Saturday, tying up ships in the Harbour and preparing to close shop/ Chanthu was downgraded to a medium typhoon on Saturday by Taiwan's weather authorities, who said that while it would bring heavy rain and gusting winds to most of the island it was unlikely to make direct landfall.

Fishermen and restaurant owners in Taiwan prepared for typhoon Chanthu on Saturday, tying up ships in the Harbour and preparing to close shop/ Chanthu was downgraded to a medium typhoon on Saturday by Taiwan's weather authorities, who said that while it would bring heavy rain and gusting winds to most of the island it was unlikely to make direct landfall. Also read | Super typhoon Chanthu threatens Philippines, Taiwan Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau said the storm, which was at one point categorised a super typhoon, was losing strength as it headed up the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines. It forecast Chanthu would skirt Taiwan's sparsely populated and mountainous east coast on Saturday night and into Sunday (September 12) morning, then head towards China's Zhejiang province and Shanghai. Taiwanese airlines cancelled their Saturday afternoon domestic flights, though there was only limited impact on international services. The government has ordered disaster preparations in case of landslides or flooding.

Taiwan prepares as weakening typhoon approaches

A super typhoon that rapidly formed in just 48 hours is threatening both the Philippines and Taiwan with destructive winds and torrential rains over the coming days.

Chanthu&nbsp;was about 580 kilometres&nbsp;southeast of Taiwan's southernmost tip on Friday morning, packing gusts of up to 234 kilometres&nbsp; an hour, according to Taiwan's central weather bureau.

The Philippine state weather agency said the typhoon was expected to graze the northeastern tip of the country later Friday.

The agency warned of "destructive" winds in Santa Ana town, where around 35,000 people live, and the eastern part of the remote Babuyan Islands.&nbsp;

Rough seas will throw up 2.5 to 10-metre waves, it added.&nbsp;

The Cagayan governor has ordered government and private sector workers, except those in frontline services, to stay home and "fortify" their houses, said Rogelio Sending, the provincial information officer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Most projections forecast the storm will then continue to swing northeast and could hit Taiwan directly over the weekend.&nbsp;

"It will be closest to Taiwan on Saturday and Sunday. The public should take precautions against strong winds and downpours," said Taiwanese forecaster Hsu Chung-yi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-olaf-weakens-over-mexicos-baja-california-peninsula-412088">Also read |&nbsp;Hurricane Olaf weakens over Mexico's Baja California peninsula</a>

Meteorologists have marvelled at how quickly&nbsp;Chanthu&nbsp;morphed into a powerful storm after it first emerged on Monday in between Guam and the Philippines.&nbsp;

"Chanthu&nbsp;went from a depression to a category-5-equivalent typhoon in 48 hours," Sam Lillo, a researcher at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Only five other storms, all this century, have done that, he added.&nbsp;

Over just two days,&nbsp;Chanthu's wind speeds went from 30 miles per hour to 160 miles per hour at their height.&nbsp;

Scientists have long warned that typhoons are becoming more powerful, and strengthening more rapidly, as the world becomes warmer because of man-made climate change.&nbsp;

"This week, Super Typhoon&nbsp;Chanthu&nbsp;provided another stark example of how quickly a storm can strengthen," NASA wrote in an article about the storm on its Earth Observatory blog.&nbsp;

A super typhoon is also known as a category five hurricane in the US.&nbsp;The Earth tends to experience around five storms of that power a year.&nbsp;

Meteorologists say that while&nbsp;Chanthu&nbsp;is powerful, it is small in size and will be unpredictable.&nbsp;

"Small tropical cyclones are capable of very rapid intensity changes, both strengthening and weakening," hurricane scientist Jeff Masters wrote on Yale Climate Connections. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Taiwan is regularly hit by tropical storms in the summer months.&nbsp;

In a rare exception to the rule, not a single typhoon made landfall last year, the first time in 56 years.&nbsp;

That helped fuel the worst drought in decades until heavy rains set in a few months ago and brought needed relief.

The Hong Kong Observatory's projection has&nbsp;Chanthu&nbsp;reducing from a super to a severe typhoon on Sunday as it nears Taiwan's southeastern coast.

A super typhoon that rapidly formed in just 48 hours is threatening both the Philippines and Taiwan with destructive winds and torrential rains over the coming days.

A super typhoon that rapidly formed in just 48 hours is threatening both the Philippines and Taiwan with destructive winds and torrential rains over the coming days. Chanthu was about 580 kilometres southeast of Taiwan's southernmost tip on Friday morning, packing gusts of up to 234 kilometres an hour, according to Taiwan's central weather bureau. The Philippine state weather agency said the typhoon was expected to graze the northeastern tip of the country later Friday. The agency warned of "destructive" winds in Santa Ana town, where around 35,000 people live, and the eastern part of the remote Babuyan Islands. Rough seas will throw up 2.5 to 10-metre waves, it added. The Cagayan governor has ordered government and private sector workers, except those in frontline services, to stay home and "fortify" their houses, said Rogelio Sending, the provincial information officer. Most projections forecast the storm will then continue to swing northeast and could hit Taiwan directly over the weekend. "It will be closest to Taiwan on Saturday and Sunday. The public should take precautions against strong winds and downpours," said Taiwanese forecaster Hsu Chung-yi. Also read | Hurricane Olaf weakens over Mexico's Baja California peninsula Meteorologists have marvelled at how quickly Chanthu morphed into a powerful storm after it first emerged on Monday in between Guam and the Philippines. "Chanthu went from a depression to a category-5-equivalent typhoon in 48 hours," Sam Lillo, a researcher at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, wrote on Twitter. Only five other storms, all this century, have done that, he added. Over just two days, Chanthu's wind speeds went from 30 miles per hour to 160 miles per hour at their height. Scientists have long warned that typhoons are becoming more powerful, and strengthening more rapidly, as the world becomes warmer because of man-made climate change. "This week, Super Typhoon Chanthu provided another stark example of how quickly a storm can strengthen," NASA wrote in an article about the storm on its Earth Observatory blog. A super typhoon is also known as a category five hurricane in the US. The Earth tends to experience around five storms of that power a year. Meteorologists say that while Chanthu is powerful, it is small in size and will be unpredictable. "Small tropical cyclones are capable of very rapid intensity changes, both strengthening and weakening," hurricane scientist Jeff Masters wrote on Yale Climate Connections. Taiwan is regularly hit by tropical storms in the summer months. In a rare exception to the rule, not a single typhoon made landfall last year, the first time in 56 years. That helped fuel the worst drought in decades until heavy rains set in a few months ago and brought needed relief. The Hong Kong Observatory's projection has Chanthu reducing from a super to a severe typhoon on Sunday as it nears Taiwan's southeastern coast.

Super typhoon Chanthu threatens Philippines, Taiwan

Taiwan has said that an incursion of Chinese military jets flew into its air defence zone on Sunday. The defence ministry said that a total of 19 aircraft, including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers entered its so-called air defence identification zone (ADIZ).

Taipei has been complaining for more than a year about repeated missions by China's air force near the island.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/panjshir-afghan-resistance-leader-ahmad-shah-massoud-calls-for-a-national-uprising-411119">Also read |&nbsp;Panjshir: Afghan resistance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud calls for a ‘national uprising’</a>

Taiwan's defence ministry said Sunday's mission by the Chinese air force involved four H-6 bombers, which can carry nuclear weapons, as well as an anti-submarine aircraft.

On the other hand, China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province, but Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state.

An air defence identification zone is an area outside of a country's territory and national airspace.

However, the foreign aircraft here are still identified, monitored, and controlled in the interest of national security.

Taiwan has said that an incursion of Chinese military jets flew into its air defence zone on Sunday. The defence ministry said that a total of 19 aircraft, including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers entered its so-called air defence identification zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan has said that an incursion of Chinese military jets flew into its air defence zone on Sunday. The defence ministry said that a total of 19 aircraft, including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers entered its so-called air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Taipei has been complaining for more than a year about repeated missions by China's air force near the island. Also read | Panjshir: Afghan resistance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud calls for a ‘national uprising’ Taiwan's defence ministry said Sunday's mission by the Chinese air force involved four H-6 bombers, which can carry nuclear weapons, as well as an anti-submarine aircraft. On the other hand, China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province, but Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state. An air defence identification zone is an area outside of a country's territory and national airspace. However, the foreign aircraft here are still identified, monitored, and controlled in the interest of national security.

Taiwan says 19 Chinese warplanes entered air defence zone

Taiwan launched a new English-language news and media streaming platform on Monday aiming to give it a greater voice on the world stage and help to tackle Beijing`s "squeeze" of the Chinese-claimed island on the world stage.

Taiwan+, backed by T$775 million ($28 million) in government funding, will broadcast content online focusing on news, as well as features about Taiwan, from food and tourism to culture and technology.

President Tsai Ing-wen, in a recorded message to the launch party at a Taipei museum, said Taiwan needed a platform to highlight to the world the island`s diversity, democratic achievements and aspiration to contribute to the international community.

"It is our own international media platform, a key part of our collective effort to show what Taiwan has to offer," she said. 
Taiwan+`s founding comes at a time when China is increasingly active in English-language media, putting across the ruling Communist Party`s views to an outside audience, especially via state television`s English language news channel China Global Television Network, or CGTN.

China is also squeezing Taiwan`s international space, including forcing foreign companies to refer to it as being part of China on their websites and routinely carrying out military drills near the island.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/respect-human-rights-and-dignities-taiwans-former-defence-minister-to-china-at-wion-global-summit-372787">Respect human rights and dignities': Taiwan's Former Defence Minister to China at WION Global Summit</a>

Parliament speaker You Si-kun said Taiwan needs to be able to tell its own stories and confront misconceptions put about by China.

"For a long time, the Chinese Communists have been squeezing Taiwan`s international space and creating a false image of Taiwan, leading to the diplomatic challenges Taiwan now faces," You said.

"In recent years, however, there has been a dramatic change in how the world sees the Chinese Communists. Major democracies around the world are now raising the alarm over China`s rise," he added.

Taiwan already has a handful of domestic English-language media, the most prominent of which is the Taipei Times, founded in 1999 and published by the mass circulation Liberty Times.

Taiwan launched a new English-language news and media streaming platform on Monday aiming to give it a greater voice on the world stage and help to tackle Beijing`s "squeeze" of the Chinese-claimed island on the world stage.

Taiwan launched a new English-language news and media streaming platform on Monday aiming to give it a greater voice on the world stage and help to tackle Beijing`s "squeeze" of the Chinese-claimed island on the world stage. Taiwan+, backed by T$775 million ($28 million) in government funding, will broadcast content online focusing on news, as well as features about Taiwan, from food and tourism to culture and technology. President Tsai Ing-wen, in a recorded message to the launch party at a Taipei museum, said Taiwan needed a platform to highlight to the world the island`s diversity, democratic achievements and aspiration to contribute to the international community. "It is our own international media platform, a key part of our collective effort to show what Taiwan has to offer," she said. Taiwan+`s founding comes at a time when China is increasingly active in English-language media, putting across the ruling Communist Party`s views to an outside audience, especially via state television`s English language news channel China Global Television Network, or CGTN. China is also squeezing Taiwan`s international space, including forcing foreign companies to refer to it as being part of China on their websites and routinely carrying out military drills near the island. Also read | Respect human rights and dignities': Taiwan's Former Defence Minister to China at WION Global Summit Parliament speaker You Si-kun said Taiwan needs to be able to tell its own stories and confront misconceptions put about by China. "For a long time, the Chinese Communists have been squeezing Taiwan`s international space and creating a false image of Taiwan, leading to the diplomatic challenges Taiwan now faces," You said. "In recent years, however, there has been a dramatic change in how the world sees the Chinese Communists. Major democracies around the world are now raising the alarm over China`s rise," he added. Taiwan already has a handful of domestic English-language media, the most prominent of which is the Taipei Times, founded in 1999 and published by the mass circulation Liberty Times.

Facing China ''squeeze'', Taiwan launches English-language news platform

Taiwan's government said that global supply and demand for auto chips should reach a "balance" by the fourth quarter of 2021. Democratic US senators from Michigan and Ohio this week asked the Taiwanese government to help address the shortage, given that the island is a major semiconductor producer.

World Business Watch: Taiwan sees 'balance' in auto chip supplies by Q4

Taiwan on Monday rolled out its first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine amid criticisms from the medical fraternity that the jab was given emergency approval hastily.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen received her first dose, which was made by Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp, at a gymnasium at National Taiwan University in Taipei.

The whole process was broadcast&nbsp;live on the President’s Facebook page where she was seen chatting with medical workers as they prepared the shot.

When asked by one of the reporters whether she was nervous taking the first jab, Tsai replied “no”.

“It doesn't hurt, I’m in good spirits, and I'm going to continue working for the day,” she later wrote on Facebook.

Last month, the health ministry approved the emergency use of Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp’s (6547.TWO)&nbsp;COVID-19 vaccine, after delays in vaccine deliveries from global drug companies.

The recombinant protein vaccine has been developed in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health in the United States, and the government has ordered 5 million doses for now.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-to-extend-covid-19-curbs-into-next-month-393463">Also read |&nbsp;Taiwan to extend COVID-19 curbs into next month</a>

The medical fraternity has been apprehensive about the vaccine rollout as it has yet to finish clinical trials and no efficacy data is available, reports Reuters.

However, the government, citing a study, has claimed that the antibodies created by the indigenously made shot are “no worse than” those created by AstraZeneca's vaccine.

Meanwhile, China’s health officials on Monday said there were no new locally transmitted COVID&nbsp;cases for the first time since July, days after it reported a cluster of local outbreaks among airport cleaning staff in the eastern city of Nanjing.

The country has reported 21 imported cases and zero locally transmitted symptomatic infections, the first time since July 16. It has also reported 16 asymptomatic cases, all of which were imported too, China’s National Health Commission said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Taiwan on Monday rolled out its first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine amid criticisms from the medical fraternity that the jab was given emergency approval hastily.

Taiwan on Monday rolled out its first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine amid criticisms from the medical fraternity that the jab was given emergency approval hastily. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen received her first dose, which was made by Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp, at a gymnasium at National Taiwan University in Taipei. The whole process was broadcast live on the President’s Facebook page where she was seen chatting with medical workers as they prepared the shot. When asked by one of the reporters whether she was nervous taking the first jab, Tsai replied “no”. “It doesn't hurt, I’m in good spirits, and I'm going to continue working for the day,” she later wrote on Facebook. Last month, the health ministry approved the emergency use of Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp’s (6547.TWO) COVID-19 vaccine, after delays in vaccine deliveries from global drug companies. The recombinant protein vaccine has been developed in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health in the United States, and the government has ordered 5 million doses for now. Also read | Taiwan to extend COVID-19 curbs into next month The medical fraternity has been apprehensive about the vaccine rollout as it has yet to finish clinical trials and no efficacy data is available, reports Reuters. However, the government, citing a study, has claimed that the antibodies created by the indigenously made shot are “no worse than” those created by AstraZeneca's vaccine. Meanwhile, China’s health officials on Monday said there were no new locally transmitted COVID cases for the first time since July, days after it reported a cluster of local outbreaks among airport cleaning staff in the eastern city of Nanjing. The country has reported 21 imported cases and zero locally transmitted symptomatic infections, the first time since July 16. It has also reported 16 asymptomatic cases, all of which were imported too, China’s National Health Commission said. (With inputs from agencies)

Taiwan rolls out its first indigenously made COVID-19 vaccine

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with Lithuania`s foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Saturday, weeks after China threatened to withdraw its ambassador to Vilnius and asked the latter to recall their envoy from Beijing.

“Blinken and Gabrielius Landsbergis agreed that China’s unilateral aggressive actions and political pressure on Lithuania were totally unacceptable,” Reuters quoted a statement from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry published on Sunday.

However, the statement did not dwell into the specifics of the “bilateral action”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-asks-lithuanias-envoy-to-leave-beijing-over-taiwan-row-404881">Also read |&nbsp;China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row</a>

In a separate statement, the US department of state said, “Blinken underscored ironclad US solidarity with our NATO ally and EU partner Lithuania in the face of the People`s Republic of China`s coercive behaviour.”

The row between China and Lithuania erupted last month when Taiwan, which China considers to be a part of its territory under its One Country, Two Systems’ policy, said it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name of ‘Taiwan’ instead of ‘Taipei’ — an act Beijing considers as a diplomatic insult.

Protesting the move, China asked Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing.

However, Lithuania's foreign ministry expressed regret over Beijing's decision.

“While respecting the principle of one China, (Lithuania) is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement.

The United States is Taiwan's strongest international backer and main supplier of arms, according to Reuters.

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country.

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country. US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with Lithuania`s foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Saturday, weeks after China threatened to withdraw its ambassador to Vilnius and asked the latter to recall their envoy from Beijing. “Blinken and Gabrielius Landsbergis agreed that China’s unilateral aggressive actions and political pressure on Lithuania were totally unacceptable,” Reuters quoted a statement from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry published on Sunday. However, the statement did not dwell into the specifics of the “bilateral action”. Also read | China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row In a separate statement, the US department of state said, “Blinken underscored ironclad US solidarity with our NATO ally and EU partner Lithuania in the face of the People`s Republic of China`s coercive behaviour.” The row between China and Lithuania erupted last month when Taiwan, which China considers to be a part of its territory under its One Country, Two Systems’ policy, said it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name of ‘Taiwan’ instead of ‘Taipei’ — an act Beijing considers as a diplomatic insult. Protesting the move, China asked Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing. However, Lithuania's foreign ministry expressed regret over Beijing's decision. “While respecting the principle of one China, (Lithuania) is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement. The United States is Taiwan's strongest international backer and main supplier of arms, according to Reuters.

US, Lithuania agree on ‘bilateral coordination action’ against China over Taiwan row

After Lithuania allowed Taiwan to set up an office under its own name in the country, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unacceptable-and-unjust-justin-trudeau-slams-chinas-jail-sentence-for-canadian-michael-spavor-404592">China</a> demanded&nbsp;Lithuania recall its envoy to Beijing.

Taiwan had said last month it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name "Taiwan" instead of "Taipei" attracting China's ire.

China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province which it intends to unify with the mainland by force if necessary. China's foreign ministry said the move "severely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwan-to-open-representative-office-in-lithuania-399295/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-backs-chinas-anti-sanctions-law-404412">China</a> asked Lithuania "not to move further down the wrong path" while asking it to "rectify its wrong decision".

Lithuania however said it is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan while saying that it "respects the principle of One-China".

The European Union&nbsp;backed Lithuania and asserted that it did not view the opening of a representative office in or from Taiwan as a breach of the EU's One-China policy.

"This is the first time China has recalled an ambassador in an EU member state for opening or maintaining an office in Taiwan," the EU said.

Lithuania has also promised to send 20,000 coronavirus vaccine&nbsp;doses to Taiwan as it seeks to strengthen diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Lithuania earlier had also decided to quit China's 17+1 cooperation forum with central and eastern European states.

Lithuania's ambassador to China Diana Mickeviciene confirmed China's intention as the Communist Party decided to recall the Chinese envoy to Lithuania.

Mickeviciene had just arrived in the country as Chinese officials asked her to leave amid the row over Taiwan. &nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

&nbsp;&nbsp;

After Lithuania allowed Taiwan to set up an office under its own name in the country, China demanded Lithuania recall its envoy to Beijing. Taiwan had said last month it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name "Taiwan" instead of "Taipei" attracting China's ire.

After Lithuania allowed Taiwan to set up an office under its own name in the country, China demanded Lithuania recall its envoy to Beijing. Taiwan had said last month it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name "Taiwan" instead of "Taipei" attracting China's ire. China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province which it intends to unify with the mainland by force if necessary. China's foreign ministry said the move "severely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Watch: China asked Lithuania "not to move further down the wrong path" while asking it to "rectify its wrong decision". Lithuania however said it is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan while saying that it "respects the principle of One-China". The European Union backed Lithuania and asserted that it did not view the opening of a representative office in or from Taiwan as a breach of the EU's One-China policy. "This is the first time China has recalled an ambassador in an EU member state for opening or maintaining an office in Taiwan," the EU said. Lithuania has also promised to send 20,000 coronavirus vaccine doses to Taiwan as it seeks to strengthen diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Lithuania earlier had also decided to quit China's 17+1 cooperation forum with central and eastern European states. Lithuania's ambassador to China Diana Mickeviciene confirmed China's intention as the Communist Party decided to recall the Chinese envoy to Lithuania. Mickeviciene had just arrived in the country as Chinese officials asked her to leave amid the row over Taiwan. (With inputs from Agencies)

China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row

A Taiwanese ceramist made his name by making large ceramic bowls "dance". Huang Cheng-nan started making thin ceramic works about two decades ago, trying different clay formulas and manufacturing processes.

Taiwanese potter creates "dancing" ceramic bowls

At the medal ceremony for the badminton men’s doubles Saturday, the winning players watched a flag being raised, but it was not their own. They sang as a song reverberated in the mostly empty venue, but it was not their anthem.

For decades, politics has been getting in the way of Olympic glory for Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that China claims as its territory. Rather than using its formal name, the Republic of China, or even Taiwan, the island competes in international sporting events as Chinese Taipei, under a resolution passed by the International Olympic Committee. The terms prohibit the use of any symbols suggesting that Taiwan is a sovereign nation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-another-medal-for-india-pv-sindhu-batters-chinas-he-to-win-bronze-402223">Olympics: Another medal for India, PV Sindhu batters China's He to win bronze</a>

On Saturday, Taiwanese badminton duo Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin prevailed over Liu Yuchen and Li Junhui of China, winning Taiwan’s first gold medal in the sport. In accordance with regulations, their victory was marked by the raising of the flag it uses at the Olympics, a white banner featuring a plum blossom motif and Olympic rings, and the playing of a song known as its flag anthem, commonly used at international sporting events it attends. ​​

Tensions between the two sides had been raised even before the final, with both Lee and Wang emphasising their Taiwanese identity on social media. In a Facebook post afterward, Lee said his gold medal was "dedicated to my country, Taiwan."

Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s president, also congratulated the players for "winning our country’s first gold medal in badminton."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sports/olympics-as-pv-sindhu-wins-bronze-for-india-a-look-at-her-outstanding-journey-at-tokyo-2020-bronze-medal-402245">IN PICS: A look at PV Sindhu's outstanding journey at Tokyo 2020</a>

Badminton is one of the Olympic sports traditionally dominated by China, where the state-run sports system is designed to maximise the number of gold medals in part by focusing on less-prominent sports.

Taiwan’s badminton victory has drawn some anger on Weibo, a popular social media platform in China, as well as comments from users congratulating China on a victory that, like Taiwan itself, they see as belonging to Beijing. Others accused the badminton players of advocating Taiwanese independence and criticized them as ungrateful.

“You can participate in The Games because there’s ‘Chinese Taipei’ on your shirts,” wrote one Weibo user who said the Taiwanese players’ allusions to national sovereignty left him speechless.

Similar nationalist attacks have focused on athletes from Hong Kong, a Chinese territory that fields its own Olympic team.

Social media users in Taiwan have responded with memes depicting a badminton court as the island’s new national flag.

The results were reversed in the women’s singles final Sunday night when Chen Yufei of China defeated the top-ranked Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan. Before the match, many Weibo users in China had already accused Tai of being pro-independence, citing past remarks lamenting her inability to hold Taiwan’s flag at international competitions.

“We can lose to anyone but Taiwanese and Hong Kongese independentists,” one user wrote.

At the medal ceremony for the badminton men’s doubles Saturday, the winning players watched a flag being raised, but it was not their own. They sang as a song reverberated in the mostly empty venue, but it was not their anthem.

At the medal ceremony for the badminton men’s doubles Saturday, the winning players watched a flag being raised, but it was not their own. They sang as a song reverberated in the mostly empty venue, but it was not their anthem. For decades, politics has been getting in the way of Olympic glory for Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that China claims as its territory. Rather than using its formal name, the Republic of China, or even Taiwan, the island competes in international sporting events as Chinese Taipei, under a resolution passed by the International Olympic Committee. The terms prohibit the use of any symbols suggesting that Taiwan is a sovereign nation. Also read | Olympics: Another medal for India, PV Sindhu batters China's He to win bronze On Saturday, Taiwanese badminton duo Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin prevailed over Liu Yuchen and Li Junhui of China, winning Taiwan’s first gold medal in the sport. In accordance with regulations, their victory was marked by the raising of the flag it uses at the Olympics, a white banner featuring a plum blossom motif and Olympic rings, and the playing of a song known as its flag anthem, commonly used at international sporting events it attends. Tensions between the two sides had been raised even before the final, with both Lee and Wang emphasising their Taiwanese identity on social media. In a Facebook post afterward, Lee said his gold medal was "dedicated to my country, Taiwan." Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s president, also congratulated the players for "winning our country’s first gold medal in badminton." IN PICS: A look at PV Sindhu's outstanding journey at Tokyo 2020 Badminton is one of the Olympic sports traditionally dominated by China, where the state-run sports system is designed to maximise the number of gold medals in part by focusing on less-prominent sports. Taiwan’s badminton victory has drawn some anger on Weibo, a popular social media platform in China, as well as comments from users congratulating China on a victory that, like Taiwan itself, they see as belonging to Beijing. Others accused the badminton players of advocating Taiwanese independence and criticized them as ungrateful. “You can participate in The Games because there’s ‘Chinese Taipei’ on your shirts,” wrote one Weibo user who said the Taiwanese players’ allusions to national sovereignty left him speechless. Similar nationalist attacks have focused on athletes from Hong Kong, a Chinese territory that fields its own Olympic team. Social media users in Taiwan have responded with memes depicting a badminton court as the island’s new national flag. The results were reversed in the women’s singles final Sunday night when Chen Yufei of China defeated the top-ranked Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan. Before the match, many Weibo users in China had already accused Tai of being pro-independence, citing past remarks lamenting her inability to hold Taiwan’s flag at international competitions. “We can lose to anyone but Taiwanese and Hong Kongese independentists,” one user wrote.

Taiwan’s gold medal win over China in badminton raises tensions

Taiwan's police on Wednesday said they had launched an investigation after local media&nbsp;reported&nbsp;more than 100 LINE&nbsp;messaging&nbsp;app&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;used by&nbsp;officials&nbsp;had been hacked and the company admitted "abnormal activities" had been detected.

The hacked&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;belong to "high ranking&nbsp;officials" in the presidential office, the cabinet, the military, members of the ruling and opposition parties, and regional government chiefs, the Liberty Times&nbsp;reported, citing unnamed sources.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau confirmed it had begun investigating after LINE formally&nbsp;reported&nbsp;the case to authorities on Tuesday, but did not provide further details.&nbsp;

Taiwan's cybersecurity agency says the island faces an estimated 30 million cyber attacks every month, around half of them believed to originate from China.

In a statement, LINE said it had "taken necessary measures to protect users as soon as abnormal account activities were detected".

"We will continue to take necessary responsive measures," the company added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/respect-human-rights-and-dignities-taiwans-former-defence-minister-to-china-at-wion-global-summit-372787">Also read |&nbsp;'Respect human rights and dignities': Taiwan's Former Defence Minister to China at WION Global Summit</a>

The Liberty Times report said LINE had briefed&nbsp;Taiwan's National Security Council on the matter.&nbsp;The council could not be immediately reached for comment.

Taipei has accused Beijing of stepping up a cyberattacks since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects Beijing's stance that the island is part of "one China".&nbsp;

Beijing views democratic, self-ruled&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize the island, by force if needs.&nbsp;

"Cyberattacks and disinformation are threatening democracies worldwide," foreign minister Joseph Wu said in a tweet on Wednesday that linked to a Jerusalem Post column he had co-written with&nbsp;Taiwan's digital minister Audrey Tang.

The column did not mention the latest alleged hacking but it detailed how&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;was being inundated with cyberattacks.

In his tweet, Wu called on allies "to form an unbreakable knot and crush the tools of authoritarianism".

The Liberty Times report said national security agencies will look into whether the hackers could have used the Israeli spyware programme Pegasus or have "help from insiders".&nbsp;

Pegasus, which can switch on a phone's camera or microphone and harvest its data, is at the centre of a storm after a list of about 50,000 potential surveillance targets was leaked to human rights groups.

Last year, Taiwanese authorities said Chinese hackers infiltrated at least 10&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;government agencies and gained access to around 6,000 email&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;in an attempt to steal data.&nbsp;

They said two well-known Chinese hacking groups -- Blacktech and Taidoor -- have been targeting government departments and information service providers since 2018.

Taiwan's police on Wednesday said they had launched an investigation after local media reported more than 100 LINE messaging app accounts used by officials had been hacked and the company admitted "abnormal activities" had been detected.

Taiwan's police on Wednesday said they had launched an investigation after local media reported more than 100 LINE messaging app accounts used by officials had been hacked and the company admitted "abnormal activities" had been detected. The hacked accounts belong to "high ranking officials" in the presidential office, the cabinet, the military, members of the ruling and opposition parties, and regional government chiefs, the Liberty Times reported, citing unnamed sources. The Criminal Investigation Bureau confirmed it had begun investigating after LINE formally reported the case to authorities on Tuesday, but did not provide further details. Taiwan's cybersecurity agency says the island faces an estimated 30 million cyber attacks every month, around half of them believed to originate from China. In a statement, LINE said it had "taken necessary measures to protect users as soon as abnormal account activities were detected". "We will continue to take necessary responsive measures," the company added. Also read | 'Respect human rights and dignities': Taiwan's Former Defence Minister to China at WION Global Summit The Liberty Times report said LINE had briefed Taiwan's National Security Council on the matter. The council could not be immediately reached for comment. Taipei has accused Beijing of stepping up a cyberattacks since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects Beijing's stance that the island is part of "one China". Beijing views democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize the island, by force if needs. "Cyberattacks and disinformation are threatening democracies worldwide," foreign minister Joseph Wu said in a tweet on Wednesday that linked to a Jerusalem Post column he had co-written with Taiwan's digital minister Audrey Tang. The column did not mention the latest alleged hacking but it detailed how Taiwan was being inundated with cyberattacks. In his tweet, Wu called on allies "to form an unbreakable knot and crush the tools of authoritarianism". The Liberty Times report said national security agencies will look into whether the hackers could have used the Israeli spyware programme Pegasus or have "help from insiders". Pegasus, which can switch on a phone's camera or microphone and harvest its data, is at the centre of a storm after a list of about 50,000 potential surveillance targets was leaked to human rights groups. Last year, Taiwanese authorities said Chinese hackers infiltrated at least 10 Taiwan government agencies and gained access to around 6,000 email accounts in an attempt to steal data. They said two well-known Chinese hacking groups -- Blacktech and Taidoor -- have been targeting government departments and information service providers since 2018.

Taiwan probes reported hack of officials' messaging accounts

HMS Queen Elizabeth, a British aircraft carrier, and its Carrier Strike Group have entered the South China Sea, a territory predominantly claimed by China, reports the UK Defence Journal.

China claims practically the whole 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory, and it has blamed foreign warships for escalating tensions in the region.

Freedom of navigation operations (or FONOPs) are routinely conducted by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia to counter what Washington refers to as "attempts by coastal states to unjustly limit access to the seas."

Both the US and the UK have previously enraged China by conducting FONOPs in the South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation rights. 
 
Watch | Gravitas: British warship to challenge Beijing in South China Sea

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-british-warship-to-challenge-beijing-in-south-china-sea-399814/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The HMS Queen Elizabeth is escorted by six Royal Navy ships, a Royal Navy submarine, a US Navy destroyer, and a Dutch frigate, and is carrying eight F-35B Lightning II fast jets, four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine and airborne early warning helicopters, and three Merlin Mk4 commando helicopters on deck.

China has been carrying out incursions, sinking foreign ships, establishing new districts, giving Chinese names to islands, building new artificial islands and using fishing vessels as maritime militias in the South China Sea.

The South China Sea is a strategic waterway surrounded by six nations, such as China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. &nbsp;

Two groups of islands here are at the centre of a fierce territorial dispute. The first is the Paracel Archipelago, contested by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The second is the Spratly Islands, disputed between China and all other five nations. These islands are strategic because they are surrounded by waters teeming with marine life and are rich in oil and gas resources. &nbsp;

One-third of the world's shipping traffic also passes through the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over nearly the entire sea.

(With inputs from agencies)

HMS Queen Elizabeth, a British aircraft carrier, and its Carrier Strike Group have entered the South China Sea, a territory predominantly claimed by China, reports the UK Defence Journal.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, a British aircraft carrier, and its Carrier Strike Group have entered the South China Sea, a territory predominantly claimed by China, reports the UK Defence Journal. China claims practically the whole 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory, and it has blamed foreign warships for escalating tensions in the region. Freedom of navigation operations (or FONOPs) are routinely conducted by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia to counter what Washington refers to as "attempts by coastal states to unjustly limit access to the seas." Both the US and the UK have previously enraged China by conducting FONOPs in the South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation rights. Watch | Gravitas: British warship to challenge Beijing in South China Sea The HMS Queen Elizabeth is escorted by six Royal Navy ships, a Royal Navy submarine, a US Navy destroyer, and a Dutch frigate, and is carrying eight F-35B Lightning II fast jets, four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine and airborne early warning helicopters, and three Merlin Mk4 commando helicopters on deck. China has been carrying out incursions, sinking foreign ships, establishing new districts, giving Chinese names to islands, building new artificial islands and using fishing vessels as maritime militias in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is a strategic waterway surrounded by six nations, such as China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Two groups of islands here are at the centre of a fierce territorial dispute. The first is the Paracel Archipelago, contested by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The second is the Spratly Islands, disputed between China and all other five nations. These islands are strategic because they are surrounded by waters teeming with marine life and are rich in oil and gas resources. One-third of the world's shipping traffic also passes through the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over nearly the entire sea. (With inputs from agencies)

UK warship ignores Beijing warnings and enters the South China Sea

In Pics | Approaching typhoon threatens to dump more rain in Taiwan

Taiwan’s export orders grew by more than expected in June and the government said the outlook for the island’s tech goods remains strong on demand for high-end chips.

World Business Watch: Taiwan export orders expand for 16th month

In a video broadcast on a Communist Party of China-approved channel, the government threatened to deploy "continuous nuclear bombs" against Japan over its intervention in Taiwan, Fox News reported.

The five-minute video has received over two million views on China's YouTube-like platforms.

It was eventually removed, but copies of the film were uploaded to YouTube and Twitter by some individuals.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Chinese warplane enters Taiwan's air defence identification zone, 4th incursion this month

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-warplane-enters-taiwans-air-defence-identification-zone-4th-incursion-this-month-396858/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We will use nuclear bombs first," the video said. "We will use nuclear bombs continuously. We will do this until Japan declares unconditional surrender for the second time."&nbsp;

The CCP vows to "liberate Taiwan," and cautions Japan against sending "one soldier, one plane, or one ship" to the island.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Full Video: China &amp; Taiwan clash at WION Global summit

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/full-video-china-taiwan-clash-at-wion-global-summit-372899/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The threats come after Japanese officials made comments about Taiwan's sovereignty two weeks ago, with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso saying that Japan must "protect Taiwan," according to The Japan Times.&nbsp;

Even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than seven decades, Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy with almost 24 million inhabitants located off the southern coast of mainland China.&nbsp;

Taiwan, on the other hand, has retaliated against Chinese aggression by strengthening strategic connections with democracies such as the United States.

China has warned that "Taiwanese independence" will result in war.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a video broadcast on a Communist Party of China-approved channel, the government threatened to deploy "continuous nuclear bombs" against Japan over its intervention in Taiwan, Fox News reported.

In a video broadcast on a Communist Party of China-approved channel, the government threatened to deploy "continuous nuclear bombs" against Japan over its intervention in Taiwan, Fox News reported. The five-minute video has received over two million views on China's YouTube-like platforms. It was eventually removed, but copies of the film were uploaded to YouTube and Twitter by some individuals. Watch | Chinese warplane enters Taiwan's air defence identification zone, 4th incursion this month "We will use nuclear bombs first," the video said. "We will use nuclear bombs continuously. We will do this until Japan declares unconditional surrender for the second time." The CCP vows to "liberate Taiwan," and cautions Japan against sending "one soldier, one plane, or one ship" to the island. Watch | Full Video: China & Taiwan clash at WION Global summit The threats come after Japanese officials made comments about Taiwan's sovereignty two weeks ago, with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso saying that Japan must "protect Taiwan," according to The Japan Times. Even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than seven decades, Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy with almost 24 million inhabitants located off the southern coast of mainland China. Taiwan, on the other hand, has retaliated against Chinese aggression by strengthening strategic connections with democracies such as the United States. China has warned that "Taiwanese independence" will result in war. (With inputs from agencies)

We will use nuclear bombs continuously: China to Japan over interference in Taiwan 

Hong Kong's public broadcaster recently banned all references to Taiwanese government, ordering staff to not refer to Taiwan's leader as "president" and to avoid using the word "government" in fresh guidelines.

The new directives are in line with mainland China's rhetoric towards Taiwan, which it sees as its own territory. The country has not shied away from claiming that it may bring Taiwan under its control using force if required.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/if-china-takes-taiwan-its-all-over-haley-urges-us-to-act-strongly-392335/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Currently, China is in the process of remoulding the official functioning of Hong Kong, hoping to sync it with the Communist Party of China's goals. Although still a semi-autonomous city, a lot of democratic freedoms guaranteed in Hong Kong have been curtailed under the security laws that were enforced after violent protests against Chinese influence on the city.

Now, RTHK - a news channel run by the government is falling in line with China's national media which is heavily censored.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/everybody-wants-peace-in-taiwan-strait-because-no-one-wants-to-disrupt-semiconductor-supply-chain-tsmc-chief-398294" hreflang="en">Everybody wants peace in Taiwan Strait because no one wants to disrupt semiconductor supply chain: TSMC chief</a>

The memo sent to RTHK staffers was accessed by AFP on Tuesday, which mentioned a series of new directives for everyone working at RTHK, especially in regards to Taiwan.

Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China and is home to 23 million people. As opposed to China, Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy.

The memo in question referred to certain terms as "inappropriate" including "Taiwan's president" and "Taiwan government" in all output related to radio and television broadcasts, along with digital content.

"Inappropriate terminology such as 'country', 'Republic of China', 'ROC'... must not be used when referring to Taiwan. Under no circumstances should Taiwan be referred to as a sovereign state or perceived as one," AFP quoted the memo as saying.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/japan-warns-of-crisis-over-taiwan-growing-risks-from-us-china-rivalry-397732" hreflang="en">Japan warns of crisis over Taiwan, growing risks from US-China rivalry</a>

Recently, a pro-China leader from Hong Kong accused RTHK of not following the law while describing Taiwan.

In China's state media channels, it's not uncommon to disregard Taiwan. Most news platforms refer to Taiwan as "China's Taiwan region" while President Tsai Ing-wen is usually labelled as a "so-called leader".

(With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong's public broadcaster recently banned all references to Taiwanese government, ordering staff to not refer to Taiwan's leader as "president" and to avoid using the word "government" in fresh guidelines.

Hong Kong's public broadcaster recently banned all references to Taiwanese government, ordering staff to not refer to Taiwan's leader as "president" and to avoid using the word "government" in fresh guidelines. The new directives are in line with mainland China's rhetoric towards Taiwan, which it sees as its own territory. The country has not shied away from claiming that it may bring Taiwan under its control using force if required. Currently, China is in the process of remoulding the official functioning of Hong Kong, hoping to sync it with the Communist Party of China's goals. Although still a semi-autonomous city, a lot of democratic freedoms guaranteed in Hong Kong have been curtailed under the security laws that were enforced after violent protests against Chinese influence on the city. Now, RTHK - a news channel run by the government is falling in line with China's national media which is heavily censored. Also read: Everybody wants peace in Taiwan Strait because no one wants to disrupt semiconductor supply chain: TSMC chief The memo sent to RTHK staffers was accessed by AFP on Tuesday, which mentioned a series of new directives for everyone working at RTHK, especially in regards to Taiwan. Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China and is home to 23 million people. As opposed to China, Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy. The memo in question referred to certain terms as "inappropriate" including "Taiwan's president" and "Taiwan government" in all output related to radio and television broadcasts, along with digital content. "Inappropriate terminology such as 'country', 'Republic of China', 'ROC'... must not be used when referring to Taiwan. Under no circumstances should Taiwan be referred to as a sovereign state or perceived as one," AFP quoted the memo as saying. Also read: Japan warns of crisis over Taiwan, growing risks from US-China rivalry Recently, a pro-China leader from Hong Kong accused RTHK of not following the law while describing Taiwan. In China's state media channels, it's not uncommon to disregard Taiwan. Most news platforms refer to Taiwan as "China's Taiwan region" while President Tsai Ing-wen is usually labelled as a "so-called leader". (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong broadcaster bans 'Taiwan' references, falling in line with mainland China

Hong Kong's public broadcaster has banned staff from calling Taiwan's leader as 'President' Watch this report to know more.

Hong Kong: Staff banned from calling Tsai Ing-wen as Taiwan's Prez,

Along with poaching Taiwan's formal diplomatic partners, China has used its diplomatic and economic heft to prevent or shrink unofficial relations between the island and foreign nations.

Taiwan to open representative office in Lithuania

It seemed at first like a freak accident.

A contractor was navigating a sharp turn on a sand-packed road. He had been hired to shore up a steep hillside on Taiwan’s east coast — any falling debris could be a safety hazard to the trains that rushed by below.

At the edge of the embankment, his truck got stuck. He and another worker tried to pull it free, using a cloth strap and an excavator. The strap snapped, and the truck tumbled down the hill onto the railway tracks.

About a minute later, Taroko Express No. 408 collided with the truck, killing 49 people and injuring more than 200.

In an instant, the picturesque oceanside slope became the site of Taiwan’s deadliest railway disaster in seven decades.

The tragedy on that April morning is one of several crises that have shaken this island democracy of 23.5 million people, which prides itself as a well-managed and accountable society. It has undermined confidence in the government at a time when Taiwan has struggled with a surge in coronavirus cases and rolling electrical blackouts.

While prosecutors have accused the contractor, Lee Yi-hsiang, and others of negligent homicide, the roots of the disaster go much deeper, revealing systemic failures at the government agency that runs the train system, the Taiwan Railways Administration.

A close examination of the crash by The New York Times, based on interviews with current and former officials, railway employees, contractors and safety experts, found that the agency suffered from a culture of complacency and weak oversight. Contractors like Lee were mismanaged, maintenance problems festered, and officials missed or ignored safety warnings — creating conditions that contributed to the crash.

A government adviser told officials in 2017 that the line on which the crash occurred was an accident waiting to happen.

Earlier this year, a local worker for the agency twice warned about the risk of heavy equipment maneuvering around that same turn. No one did anything. Authorities are investigating whether the agency should have done more to follow up, Chou Fang-yi, a prosecutor on the case, told the Times.

Lee should never have been awarded the project under the agency’s rules. According to the indictment, he illegally misrepresented his company on the application, using the credentials of a larger, more experienced company to qualify for the project. The agency did not do enough due diligence to uncover the problem.

“This accident could have been avoided,” Li Kang, a member of the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board, a government agency investigating the crash, said in an interview.

Since the disaster, Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, has vowed to address long-standing complaints about the Taiwan Railways Administration, which provided more than 500,000 rides per day before the pandemic.

A report by Taiwan’s transportation ministry released Sunday cited failings in the railway agency’s safety processes and management of construction projects.

The railway agency said it was undertaking reforms. In May, it reprimanded 12 employees for “inadequate supervision and management” of the project at the crash site, though none were dismissed.

In a written response to questions, the agency said the reprimands were a “warning and a chance for public servants to reflect on their failure to properly fulfill their duties.”

Past promises to improve have had little result. Tsai’s government called for reforms in 2018 after a train crash in the northeast killed 18 people. Although some recommendations were instituted, structural changes were not.

Since 2012, the agency’s trains have experienced 316 major incidents, including collisions and derailments, according to a review by the Times of data from Taiwan’s transportation ministry. The accidents have killed 437 people.

By comparison, Taiwan High Speed Rail, the newer, public-private high-speed system on the island’s west coast, had no major incidents during the same period.

“Typically when there is an accident, TRA’s response is to hold a meeting, discuss, organize a lecture and an exercise and tell workers that this is the correct protocol,” said Lu Chieh-shen, who worked at the agency for 38 years and served as general director from 2016 to 2018. “Then they go back to their routine.”

A Deadly Collision

On the morning of April 2, Lee was not supposed to be working.

It was Tomb Sweeping Day, a holiday when people honor their ancestors. But he was behind schedule and did not want to get fined for missing his deadline, prosecutors say.

He enlisted several other workers, but there were no outside safety supervisors monitoring the site, as government rules required.

At least twice before, construction vehicles had become lodged on the same road where Lee’s truck got stuck trying to make the turn, according to the indictment. In January, a railway agency worker warned the project’s safety supervisors to improve the road’s grade and surface and install protective fencing. It wasn’t done.

Lee should not have been awarded the project in the first place.

When the Taiwan Railways Administration was looking for contractors to reinforce the slope in 2019, his two companies were ineligible because they lacked experience with that kind of work.

So Lee used the license of a larger company, Tung Hsin Construction, to apply, though it was illegal to do so, according to the indictment. In return, prosecutors say, he offered the larger company part of the profits.

Contractors and experts who spoke with the Times said the agency frequently awarded contracts to the lowest bidder, prioritizing savings over safety. The emphasis on cost, two contractors said, deterred more reputable companies from bidding.

The agency “believes in using cheap labor to perform high-risk operations,” said Chen Hong-shan, a contractor who has worked on several projects for the railway administration. “This has been the practice for decades.”

He added that because agency budgets often allocated too little for safety measures, contractors had to cut corners to make projects profitable, compromising the work.

The agency, in its written response, said that while some contracts were awarded to the lowest bidder, others went to the “most advantageous” one. In those cases, the agency said, a contractor’s safety record and experience were deciding factors.

Prosecutors have accused Lee and six others of criminal liability; four were charged with negligent homicide. If convicted of all charges, Lee could face up to 12 years in prison.

Red Flags

In 2017, Liao Ching-lung, a railway safety expert and government adviser, was studying video of a 2016 train derailment on Taiwan’s east coast when he noticed something alarming: the track was in terrible condition.

Concerned, he requested a meeting with transportation ministry officials.

“I told them it was only a matter of time before there was an accident on the track,” he said.

Liao’s warning was prescient. In 2018, the Puyuma Express, another train operated by the railway agency, derailed on that same route, called the Northern Loop line, killing 18 people. And the April crash occurred on the same line.

Although an investigation into the Puyuma crash by the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board blamed the driver for disabling an automatic speed warning system, the board’s report also flagged endemic problems at the agency, saying it routinely skipped or postponed repairs and maintenance on cars and tracks to keep trains running on schedule.

It also cited the agency’s failure to provide workers with adequate equipment and safety training. The way the agency is organized “may cause business concern to be prioritized over railroad safety in decision-making,” the board warned in its final report, released last year.

Investigators for the board told the Times that the agency had not thoroughly implemented the changes that it said it had. For example, the agency, despite its claims, still has no formal, comprehensive process for reporting maintenance issues, said Li, one of the investigators.

“They had only accepted the changes on paper — they did not put them into practice,” said Young Hong-tsu, the safety board’s chairman.

After the Taroko Express crash in April, the labor ministry audited 195 ongoing railway agency projects and found 306 instances of safety violations on construction sites. They included failure to install protective fencing and to conduct proper risk assessments. Work was suspended in 15 cases.

Since the April crash, the agency has said it would install more barriers along tracks to catch falling debris, as well as sensors to warn drivers of potential obstacles. It also said it would use surveillance technology to better monitor construction sites. The government plans to give more than $500,000 to the family of each person who died in the crash.

It seemed at first like a freak accident. A contractor was navigating a sharp turn on a sand-packed road. He had been hired to shore up a steep hillside on Taiwan’s east coast — any falling debris could be a safety hazard to the trains that rushed by below.

It seemed at first like a freak accident. A contractor was navigating a sharp turn on a sand-packed road. He had been hired to shore up a steep hillside on Taiwan’s east coast — any falling debris could be a safety hazard to the trains that rushed by below. At the edge of the embankment, his truck got stuck. He and another worker tried to pull it free, using a cloth strap and an excavator. The strap snapped, and the truck tumbled down the hill onto the railway tracks. About a minute later, Taroko Express No. 408 collided with the truck, killing 49 people and injuring more than 200. In an instant, the picturesque oceanside slope became the site of Taiwan’s deadliest railway disaster in seven decades. The tragedy on that April morning is one of several crises that have shaken this island democracy of 23.5 million people, which prides itself as a well-managed and accountable society. It has undermined confidence in the government at a time when Taiwan has struggled with a surge in coronavirus cases and rolling electrical blackouts. While prosecutors have accused the contractor, Lee Yi-hsiang, and others of negligent homicide, the roots of the disaster go much deeper, revealing systemic failures at the government agency that runs the train system, the Taiwan Railways Administration. A close examination of the crash by The New York Times, based on interviews with current and former officials, railway employees, contractors and safety experts, found that the agency suffered from a culture of complacency and weak oversight. Contractors like Lee were mismanaged, maintenance problems festered, and officials missed or ignored safety warnings — creating conditions that contributed to the crash. A government adviser told officials in 2017 that the line on which the crash occurred was an accident waiting to happen. Earlier this year, a local worker for the agency twice warned about the risk of heavy equipment maneuvering around that same turn. No one did anything. Authorities are investigating whether the agency should have done more to follow up, Chou Fang-yi, a prosecutor on the case, told the Times. Lee should never have been awarded the project under the agency’s rules. According to the indictment, he illegally misrepresented his company on the application, using the credentials of a larger, more experienced company to qualify for the project. The agency did not do enough due diligence to uncover the problem. “This accident could have been avoided,” Li Kang, a member of the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board, a government agency investigating the crash, said in an interview. Since the disaster, Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, has vowed to address long-standing complaints about the Taiwan Railways Administration, which provided more than 500,000 rides per day before the pandemic. A report by Taiwan’s transportation ministry released Sunday cited failings in the railway agency’s safety processes and management of construction projects. The railway agency said it was undertaking reforms. In May, it reprimanded 12 employees for “inadequate supervision and management” of the project at the crash site, though none were dismissed. In a written response to questions, the agency said the reprimands were a “warning and a chance for public servants to reflect on their failure to properly fulfill their duties.” Past promises to improve have had little result. Tsai’s government called for reforms in 2018 after a train crash in the northeast killed 18 people. Although some recommendations were instituted, structural changes were not. Since 2012, the agency’s trains have experienced 316 major incidents, including collisions and derailments, according to a review by the Times of data from Taiwan’s transportation ministry. The accidents have killed 437 people. By comparison, Taiwan High Speed Rail, the newer, public-private high-speed system on the island’s west coast, had no major incidents during the same period. “Typically when there is an accident, TRA’s response is to hold a meeting, discuss, organize a lecture and an exercise and tell workers that this is the correct protocol,” said Lu Chieh-shen, who worked at the agency for 38 years and served as general director from 2016 to 2018. “Then they go back to their routine.” A Deadly Collision On the morning of April 2, Lee was not supposed to be working. It was Tomb Sweeping Day, a holiday when people honor their ancestors. But he was behind schedule and did not want to get fined for missing his deadline, prosecutors say. He enlisted several other workers, but there were no outside safety supervisors monitoring the site, as government rules required. At least twice before, construction vehicles had become lodged on the same road where Lee’s truck got stuck trying to make the turn, according to the indictment. In January, a railway agency worker warned the project’s safety supervisors to improve the road’s grade and surface and install protective fencing. It wasn’t done. Lee should not have been awarded the project in the first place. When the Taiwan Railways Administration was looking for contractors to reinforce the slope in 2019, his two companies were ineligible because they lacked experience with that kind of work. So Lee used the license of a larger company, Tung Hsin Construction, to apply, though it was illegal to do so, according to the indictment. In return, prosecutors say, he offered the larger company part of the profits. Contractors and experts who spoke with the Times said the agency frequently awarded contracts to the lowest bidder, prioritizing savings over safety. The emphasis on cost, two contractors said, deterred more reputable companies from bidding. The agency “believes in using cheap labor to perform high-risk operations,” said Chen Hong-shan, a contractor who has worked on several projects for the railway administration. “This has been the practice for decades.” He added that because agency budgets often allocated too little for safety measures, contractors had to cut corners to make projects profitable, compromising the work. The agency, in its written response, said that while some contracts were awarded to the lowest bidder, others went to the “most advantageous” one. In those cases, the agency said, a contractor’s safety record and experience were deciding factors. Prosecutors have accused Lee and six others of criminal liability; four were charged with negligent homicide. If convicted of all charges, Lee could face up to 12 years in prison. Red Flags In 2017, Liao Ching-lung, a railway safety expert and government adviser, was studying video of a 2016 train derailment on Taiwan’s east coast when he noticed something alarming: the track was in terrible condition. Concerned, he requested a meeting with transportation ministry officials. “I told them it was only a matter of time before there was an accident on the track,” he said. Liao’s warning was prescient. In 2018, the Puyuma Express, another train operated by the railway agency, derailed on that same route, called the Northern Loop line, killing 18 people. And the April crash occurred on the same line. Although an investigation into the Puyuma crash by the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board blamed the driver for disabling an automatic speed warning system, the board’s report also flagged endemic problems at the agency, saying it routinely skipped or postponed repairs and maintenance on cars and tracks to keep trains running on schedule. It also cited the agency’s failure to provide workers with adequate equipment and safety training. The way the agency is organized “may cause business concern to be prioritized over railroad safety in decision-making,” the board warned in its final report, released last year. Investigators for the board told the Times that the agency had not thoroughly implemented the changes that it said it had. For example, the agency, despite its claims, still has no formal, comprehensive process for reporting maintenance issues, said Li, one of the investigators. “They had only accepted the changes on paper — they did not put them into practice,” said Young Hong-tsu, the safety board’s chairman. After the Taroko Express crash in April, the labor ministry audited 195 ongoing railway agency projects and found 306 instances of safety violations on construction sites. They included failure to install protective fencing and to conduct proper risk assessments. Work was suspended in 15 cases. Since the April crash, the agency has said it would install more barriers along tracks to catch falling debris, as well as sensors to warn drivers of potential obstacles. It also said it would use surveillance technology to better monitor construction sites. The government plans to give more than $500,000 to the family of each person who died in the crash.

This train crash killed 49 people. It didn’t have to happen.

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