Apple Inc's Taiwan contract manufacturers Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp have applied for India's $6.65 billion scheme to boost local smartphone manufacturing, the country's tech minister said on Saturday.

The production-linked incentive (PLI) plan offers companies cash incentives on additional sales of devices made locally over five years, with 2019-2020 as the base year. India hopes it will help turn the country into a global smartphone export hub like neighbouring China.

Apple already assembles some its smartphones, including the iPhone 11, via Foxconn and Wistron's local unit in two southern Indian states.

Also read- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-supplier-foxconn-to-invest-1-billion-in-india-sources-312563">Apple supplier Foxconn to invest $1 billion in India: Sources</a>

Pegatron, one of Apple's top suppliers, has yet to open a plant in India, but is in talks with various states to set up operations, according to sources.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has also applied for PLIs, technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news conference.

Samsung runs what it calls the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturing plant on the outskirts of the Indian capital, New Delhi. It also exports devices made at the plant.

Lava, which once also assembled some models for China's Lenovo, was among the Indian companies which had applied for the scheme, Prasad added.

India's smartphone sector is a bright spot in the South Asian nation's economy, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on local manufacturing in a bid to create jobs.

With more than 1 billion wireless subscribers and roughly 350 million users still on basic phones, India offers huge room for growth to smartphone makers.

Its labour, which is cheaper than China's, also allows companies to produce or assemble at lower costs. And companies are ramping up.

Foxconn said it plans to invest up to $1 billion to expand a factory in Tamil Nadu state where it assembles iPhones, sources told Reuters last month.

Apple Inc's Taiwan contract manufacturers Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp have applied for India's $6.65 billion scheme to boost local smartphone manufacturing, the country's tech minister said on Saturday.

Apple Inc's Taiwan contract manufacturers Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp have applied for India's $6.65 billion scheme to boost local smartphone manufacturing, the country's tech minister said on Saturday. The production-linked incentive (PLI) plan offers companies cash incentives on additional sales of devices made locally over five years, with 2019-2020 as the base year. India hopes it will help turn the country into a global smartphone export hub like neighbouring China. Apple already assembles some its smartphones, including the iPhone 11, via Foxconn and Wistron's local unit in two southern Indian states. Also read- Apple supplier Foxconn to invest $1 billion in India: Sources Pegatron, one of Apple's top suppliers, has yet to open a plant in India, but is in talks with various states to set up operations, according to sources. South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has also applied for PLIs, technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news conference. Samsung runs what it calls the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturing plant on the outskirts of the Indian capital, New Delhi. It also exports devices made at the plant. Lava, which once also assembled some models for China's Lenovo, was among the Indian companies which had applied for the scheme, Prasad added. India's smartphone sector is a bright spot in the South Asian nation's economy, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on local manufacturing in a bid to create jobs. With more than 1 billion wireless subscribers and roughly 350 million users still on basic phones, India offers huge room for growth to smartphone makers. Its labour, which is cheaper than China's, also allows companies to produce or assemble at lower costs. And companies are ramping up. Foxconn said it plans to invest up to $1 billion to expand a factory in Tamil Nadu state where it assembles iPhones, sources told Reuters last month.

Apple's Taiwan suppliers, Samsung apply for India's smartphone scheme

Taiwan's former president Lee Teng-hui, who defied China and earned the nickname "Mr Democracy" for the part he played in the island's transition away from authoritarian rule, has died.&nbsp;

He was credited with paving the way for Taiwan to become a modern, free society after decades of one-party dictatorship and became a champion of the island's bid to be treated as a sovereign state internationally.

Lee had been in hospital since February after choking on some food and had a history in recent years of chronic illnesses.

He died on Thursday aged 97, of septic shock and multiple organ failure, Taipei Veterans General Hospital vice president Hwang Shinn-jang told reporters.

Lee's 1988-2000 term in office was marked by growing cross-strait tensions as he pitched himself against Beijing, infuriating Chinese authorities for daring to carve out a separate identity for Taiwan.

Despite being self-ruled since 1949, Taiwan has never formally declared independence from the mainland and Beijing has vowed to react with force if it ever does.&nbsp;

China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory.&nbsp;

Born into a colony&nbsp; 
Lee was born in Taiwan in 1923 and educated in Japan, which at the time ruled the island as a colony.

In 1945 Taiwan was handed back to China, then under the rule of Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) leader Chiang Kai-shek.&nbsp;

After Chiang lost a civil war to communist forces four years later, he fled to Taiwan to set up a rival government.

Ruling with an iron fist, Chiang instigated a "White Terror" purge of opponents which lasted until his death in 1975.&nbsp;

Lee, a professor of agricultural economics, was introduced to Chiang's son Chiang Ching-kuo in the 1970s and gained his trust.&nbsp;

By 1984 Lee was vice president and four years later was appointed leader following the younger Chiang's death, becoming the island's first Taiwan-born president.

China missiles&nbsp;

Martial law had already been lifted by the younger Chiang in 1987 but it was Lee who drove forward Taiwan's largely peaceful transition into a fully functional democracy.

His government introduced wide-ranging political reforms, including the election of a new parliament and a direct vote for president.&nbsp;

Lee then won Taiwan's first ever public leadership elections in 1996, which he took by a landslide despite threats from Beijing.

China fired ballistic missiles into the Taiwan Strait in a bid to stop voters choosing Lee, prompting the US to send warships to the area.

Once in office, Lee urged local firms to avoid extensive investments in China, promoting a separate cultural identity from the mainland, which in turn branded him a "sinner" and "splittist".

Lee was succeeded by Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2000 when the KMT lost for the first time.&nbsp;

Lee's commitment to formally declaring an independent Taiwan only became clear after he stepped down and helped found the Taiwan Solidarity Union which advocates a split from China, a move that prompted the KMT to expel him from the party.&nbsp;

After Ma Ying-jeou of the KMT succeeded Chen in 2008 and oversaw a rapprochement with China, Lee became a vocal critic of the government's Beijing-friendly policies.

He was indicted on corruption charges in 2011 but was acquitted and accused the Ma government of "inventing" offences to persecute him.

Since 2016, Taiwan has been run by president Tsai Ing-wen who is also loathed by Beijing because she views the island as a sovereign state.

In a statement she described Lee as "irreplaceable, and his passing is a tremendous loss to our country".&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office -- the mainland's top body overseeing policy towards the island -- said Taiwan independence was a "dead end".

"The historical trend of national reunification... cannot be stopped by anyone or any forces," said Zhu Fenglian on Thursday.

China's nationalistic state-run Global Times newspaper meanwhile labelled Lee the "godfather of Taiwan secessionism".

"Lee's death is definitely not sad news to most people in the Chinese mainland," the tabloid wrote.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo offered condolences, saying Washington would celebrate Lee by "continuing to strengthen our bond with Taiwan and its vibrant democracy".

Taiwan's former president Lee Teng-hui, who defied China and earned the nickname "Mr Democracy" for the part he played in the island's transition away from authoritarian rule, has died.

Taiwan's former president Lee Teng-hui, who defied China and earned the nickname "Mr Democracy" for the part he played in the island's transition away from authoritarian rule, has died. He was credited with paving the way for Taiwan to become a modern, free society after decades of one-party dictatorship and became a champion of the island's bid to be treated as a sovereign state internationally. Lee had been in hospital since February after choking on some food and had a history in recent years of chronic illnesses. He died on Thursday aged 97, of septic shock and multiple organ failure, Taipei Veterans General Hospital vice president Hwang Shinn-jang told reporters. Lee's 1988-2000 term in office was marked by growing cross-strait tensions as he pitched himself against Beijing, infuriating Chinese authorities for daring to carve out a separate identity for Taiwan. Despite being self-ruled since 1949, Taiwan has never formally declared independence from the mainland and Beijing has vowed to react with force if it ever does. China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory. Born into a colony Lee was born in Taiwan in 1923 and educated in Japan, which at the time ruled the island as a colony. In 1945 Taiwan was handed back to China, then under the rule of Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) leader Chiang Kai-shek. After Chiang lost a civil war to communist forces four years later, he fled to Taiwan to set up a rival government. Ruling with an iron fist, Chiang instigated a "White Terror" purge of opponents which lasted until his death in 1975. Lee, a professor of agricultural economics, was introduced to Chiang's son Chiang Ching-kuo in the 1970s and gained his trust. By 1984 Lee was vice president and four years later was appointed leader following the younger Chiang's death, becoming the island's first Taiwan-born president. China missiles Martial law had already been lifted by the younger Chiang in 1987 but it was Lee who drove forward Taiwan's largely peaceful transition into a fully functional democracy. His government introduced wide-ranging political reforms, including the election of a new parliament and a direct vote for president. Lee then won Taiwan's first ever public leadership elections in 1996, which he took by a landslide despite threats from Beijing. China fired ballistic missiles into the Taiwan Strait in a bid to stop voters choosing Lee, prompting the US to send warships to the area. Once in office, Lee urged local firms to avoid extensive investments in China, promoting a separate cultural identity from the mainland, which in turn branded him a "sinner" and "splittist". Lee was succeeded by Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2000 when the KMT lost for the first time. Lee's commitment to formally declaring an independent Taiwan only became clear after he stepped down and helped found the Taiwan Solidarity Union which advocates a split from China, a move that prompted the KMT to expel him from the party. After Ma Ying-jeou of the KMT succeeded Chen in 2008 and oversaw a rapprochement with China, Lee became a vocal critic of the government's Beijing-friendly policies. He was indicted on corruption charges in 2011 but was acquitted and accused the Ma government of "inventing" offences to persecute him. Since 2016, Taiwan has been run by president Tsai Ing-wen who is also loathed by Beijing because she views the island as a sovereign state. In a statement she described Lee as "irreplaceable, and his passing is a tremendous loss to our country". A spokeswoman for Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office -- the mainland's top body overseeing policy towards the island -- said Taiwan independence was a "dead end". "The historical trend of national reunification... cannot be stopped by anyone or any forces," said Zhu Fenglian on Thursday. China's nationalistic state-run Global Times newspaper meanwhile labelled Lee the "godfather of Taiwan secessionism". "Lee's death is definitely not sad news to most people in the Chinese mainland," the tabloid wrote. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo offered condolences, saying Washington would celebrate Lee by "continuing to strengthen our bond with Taiwan and its vibrant democracy".

Former Taiwan president dubbed 'Mr Democracy' dies aged 97

Taipei Zoo, in China's Taiwan province, kicked off a month-long event on Monday to solicit a name from the public for a newly-born giant panda cub by live and online activities.

Taipei Zoo solicits name for newly-born giant panda cub from public

An elderly couple in Taiwan decided to become models for their laundry shop. They have now gone viral on social media. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

Gravitas: Taiwanese laundry-modelling grandparents: A super-hit on Instagram

An 84-year-old Hsu Hsiu-e and her 83-year-old husband Chang Wan-ji have become Insta famous by modelling in the 'forgotten' clothes and they cannot believe it. The old Taiwanese couple own a laundromat together Houli District, Taichung City, in central Taiwan.

An 84-year-old Hsu Hsiu-e and her 83-year-old husband Chang Wan-ji have become Insta famous by modelling in the 'forgotten' clothes and they cannot believe it. The old Taiwanese couple own a laundromat together Houli District, Taichung City, in central Taiwan. The coupe has owned the laundromat for the past 70 years. In these past 70 years, there have been several instances where people forgot their clothes in the shop and did not come to collect the clothes back. This gave their grandson, Reef Chang, an idea. To save his grandparents from boredom, he convinced them to wear the hundreds of discarded clothes and model for pictures, just for fun. The old couple became Insta-famous withing days. View this post on Instagram 這不是要說阿公在模仿年輕時看小姐的樣子！ 而是一個有點悲傷，關於布達佩斯旅遊紀念T被遺棄的故事...身上的衣服，來自被放了至少8年以上的T恤區，衣服上面寫著布達佩斯，而這位客人一共送洗了五件，分別是黑白灰黃紅，除非他真的很愛這一件T恤的款式，不然一定是一家人出遊時買的吧？但...就是洗了沒有來拿，不知道他們一家的記憶中是否還有布達佩斯。 👴🏼萬吉 上衣：至少8年布達佩斯紀念T 褲子：至少3年以上未取UQ卡其褲 👵🏼秀娥 領巾：兩條被遺棄的手帕綁成 上衣：至少8年布達佩斯紀念T 裙子：阿嬤30年私服 💡溫馨提醒｜洗衣服請記得拿、認同請分享❤️ These old clothes have been abandoned by customers at the laundry for years. Owners of the laundry store, Wanji and Sho-Er who are over 80 years old. Grandson just can't bear to see them overwhelmed with bore everyday. So, ask them to reinterpret fashion, hoping to let everyone know that age is not a barrier to have fun in fashion and even old clothings can transformed into trendy outfits! 💡A friendly reminder｜Don’t forget to pick up your laundry. #萬秀洗衣店 #Wantshow #wantshowasyoung #grandparents #mixandmatch #clothes #craftsman #しょくにん #ootd #wiw #instafashion #style #fashion #couple #夫婦 #80代 #budapest #grandma #grandpa #dappei @dappei_tw #juksyootd @mixfitmag_snap @uniqlo_ootd #converse @converse #cool_ootd #plainme_snap #plainme_life #ynet #femmefuture #culturecartel @nataliadornellas #classyvision #vintage A post shared by 萬秀的洗衣店｜WANT SHOW as young (@wantshowasyoung) on Jul 2, 2020 at 7:08am PDT × Their Instagram account, called WantShowAsYoung, has over 147,000 followers from around the world even though the account only has 19 posts. "Their business is not always busy. They would doze off in the shop and their spirits weren't high. So I thought since our family has these clothes, I can remind people to pick up their clothes, and remind my grandparents their life can still be great even in old age," he told the BBC. With the help of his friends who are 'good at fashion', Reef took the shirts, shorts, blouses, and skirts and mixed and matched it. He used some accessories such as borrowed purses, hats and sunglasses. The couple posed infront of the washers and dryers to give it a 'magazine look' The pictures were set up to make them look like they were in Havana, Cuba for holiday. View this post on Instagram 如果今天還是秀娥氣勢贏，那我就會告訴萬吉，說應觀眾要求，必須出一篇秀娥特輯！ 前幾天VOGUE的文章說到：「有一種愛叫萬吉和秀娥的愛❤️」，這是什麼愛？其實孫子也不知道，但當有人把整套好看的西裝送洗未取，拿來給兩人穿上，就算這次沒有相視而笑，就算衣服來自不同主人，也還是會覺得是情侶裝，這應該就是愛吧？ 👴🏼萬吉（身長160） 成套西裝：至少20年以上未取成套雙排扣白西裝 內搭：8年以上未取布達佩斯紀念T（已找到新主人） 腰帶：萬吉的領帶 👵🏼秀娥（身長155） 成套西裝：至少15年以上未取全套卡其西裝 內搭：3年未取白t恤 💡溫馨提醒｜洗衣服請記得拿、認同請分享❤️ These old clothes have been abandoned by customers at the laundry for years. Owners of the laundry store, Wanji and Sho-Er who are over 80 years old. Grandson just can't bear to see them overwhelmed with bore everyday. So, ask them to reinterpret fashion, hoping to let everyone know that age is not a barrier to have fun in fashion and even old clothings can transformed into trendy outfits! 💡A friendly reminder｜Don’t forget to pick up your laundry. #有一種愛叫萬吉和秀娥的愛 #萬秀洗衣店 #Wantshow #wantshowasyoung #grandparents - - - #mixandmatch #clothes #ootd #wiw #instafashion #style #fashion #couple #夫婦 #80代 #grandma #grandpa #dappei @dappei_tw #juksyootd @mixfitmag_snap #cool_ootd #plainme_snap #plainme_life #femmefuture @nataliadornellas @irdailystyle @styleshare_kr #classyvision #vintage #古着 #コーディネート #love A post shared by 萬秀的洗衣店｜WANT SHOW as young (@wantshowasyoung) on Jul 16, 2020 at 8:53pm PDT × "Dressed like that, I feel 30 years younger," said Wan-ji. Wan-ji recalled his old days when he had started the laundromat at the age of 14, and said that people had started leaving clothes in the recent years only when clothes became cheaper and more accessible. "In the past, clothes were very expensive. When I got married, it cost an ox-cart loaded with 20 bags of rice to pay for my suit. And back then clothes were so valuable that you could take them to the pawn shop if you needed money," he said. The couple said that clothes pile up as people move to different cities and forget to collect their clothes, or if someone passes away and their family doesn't bother to come pick up the clothes. They have donated hundreds of clothes, but are still left with hundreds more. View this post on Instagram 秀娥開心❤️（萬吉到底說了什麼？） 萬吉看秀娥穿這樣好像講起了什麼事，結果秀娥就突然笑了～這件看起來很少女的衣服不知道什麼原因也被主人遺忘，但阿嬤再度無違和的撐起...另外要說一下萬吉的眼鏡，一個83歲的老人家，以前都戴金框眼鏡，結果某一天他出門回來，自己去配了一副黑框... 👴🏼萬吉（身長160） 外搭：7年以上未取格紋壓扣襯衫 上衣：5年以上未取條紋亨利領襯衫 褲子：阿公私服工作短褲（但堅持工作褲也要熨燙過） 👵🏼秀娥（身長155） 洋裝：10年以上未取吊帶格紋洋裝 內搭：10年以上未取小碎花襯衫 💡溫馨提醒｜洗衣服請記得拿、認同請分享❤️ These old clothes have been abandoned by customers at the laundry for years. Owners of the laundry store, Wanji and Sho-Er who are over 80 years old. Grandson just can't bear to see them overwhelmed with bore everyday. So, ask them to reinterpret fashion, hoping to let everyone know that age is not a barrier to have fun in fashion and even old clothings can transformed into trendy outfits! 💡A friendly reminder｜Don’t forget to pick up your laundry. #萬秀洗衣店 #Wantshow #wantshowasyoung #grandparents #mixandmatch #clothes #craftsman #しょくにん #ootd #wiw #instafashion #style #fashion #couple #夫婦 #80代 #budapest #grandma #grandpa #dappei @dappei_tw #juksyootd @mixfitmag_snap @uniqlo_ootd #converse @converse #cool_ootd #plainme_snap #plainme_life #femmefuture #culturecartel @nataliadornellas #classyvision #vintage #古着 A post shared by 萬秀的洗衣店｜WANT SHOW as young (@wantshowasyoung) on Jul 5, 2020 at 8:58pm PDT × When Reef asked them to model, they weren't sure if anyone would like their style, although the couple claim to be very stylish and fashionable in their golden days. "They didn't understand at first," said Reef. "They also don't understand fashion trends, but when they were young they were very fashionable. They thought why would people of this generation like clothes from their generation?" However, with 147,000 followers, and counting, the Taiwanese couple is now convinced and thankful to their grandson and their fans.

Old Taiwanese couple get Insta-famous by posing in left-over clothes

Taiwan's GDP growth was revised upward despite the pandemic and increasing tensions with China, leaving it as the only winner among the 4 Asian Tigers. As Taiwan GDP moved up the other Asian economies like South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore continued to face the worst ever economic slump in decades.&nbsp;

What are the four Asian Tigers?&nbsp;

The Four Asian Tigers are the high-growth economies of Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong. The Four Asian Tigers have habitually sustained high levels of economic growth since the 1960s and is included in the category of 35 most advanced economies of the International Monetary Fund. Singapore and Hong Kong have been the most distinguished global financial centres, while South Korea and Taiwan are essential hubs for the Global Manufacturing of automobile and electronic components, as well as information technology.&nbsp;

Let us have a look at the current situation of the Asian Tigers:&nbsp;

Taiwan seems to be the only winner among the 4 economies. Taiwan’s expected GDP can be revised upward for the first time thanks to the government’s “Triple Stimulus Vouchers” against the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), a top Taiwanese think tank said Wednesday (July 22), reported Taiwan News.&nbsp;

The unprecedented revision saw the island’s economy grow by 1.77 per cent in 2020, compared to the 1.03 per cent the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) predicted in April. The new figure released Wednesday was the first upward revision by a Taiwanese think tank since the outbreak of the pandemic, going against earlier international forecasts of negative growth. Taiwan is one of the few states that has successfully handled the Coronavirus Crisis with just 455 positive cases on the island. Out of 455 infections, Taiwan successfully treated 440 infections and recorded just 7 deaths to date. Taiwan is being seen as a success story globally in dealing with the deadly pandemic that has caused more than 15 million infections around the world and caused more than 623658 deaths.&nbsp;

The success of Taiwan is extraordinary in many senses. In a recent exclusive interview to WION, Taiwan's Acting Ambassador Jack CH Chen said, "China has used the [coronavirus] opportunity to expand its military presence in the South and East China Seas". Taiwan's top diplomat in India said that China continues to "intimidate" Taiwan amidst COVID pandemic and "dispatch military aircraft and vessels to circle Taiwan."&nbsp;

South Korea, the other 4 Asian Tigers plunged into a recession with its worst economic decline in exports by most since 1963. Asia's fourth-largest economy shrank by a seasonally adjusted 3.3% in the June quarter from three months earlier, the Bank of Korea said on Thursday. That is the sharpest contraction since the first quarter of 1998 as per news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

South Korea was the next country to slide into recession after Singapore. Singapore's trade-reliant economy plunged into a recession with its GDP plummeting 41% in the second quarter. The contraction was worse than economists' expectations for a 37.4% decline in the quarter when Singapore was under lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

The once-in-a-century pandemic has so far infected over 13 million people worldwide and killed nearly 573,000. Singapore has reported 46,283 coronavirus cases with 26 deaths as of Monday. The government expects full-year GDP to contract in the range of -7% to -4%, the biggest downturn in its history. Citi analysts see an 8.5% contraction and expect another downgrade to official forecasts next month when final GDP data is released, according to news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Hong Kong, on the other hand, had its unemployment rate risen to 6.2 per cent, which is the highest in more than 15 years. Hong Kong has been able to effectively control the spread of the virus is now struggling with the 'Third Wave' of virus spread. Hong Kong on Wednesday recorded the highest single-day spike of 102 Coronavirus cases. According to the data released by the city's health department, of the additional local cases, more than half were unlined to previous cases. According to Labour Chief, Law Chi-Kwong, “the still serious [pandemic] situations in certain parts of the world, and renewed surge in local cases lately serve as a timely reminder that the economic outlook is still subject to huge uncertainties.”

The city entered an economic recession last year, after months of anti-government protests sparked by the now-withdrawn extradition bill

The local economy was dealt another blow when the coronavirus broke out in Hong Kong in late January. In the first quarter alone, Hong Kong’s economy suffered its worst decline on record, contracting 8.9 per cent year on year.

And now with China's National Security Law that has attracted Global Criticism and sanctions from the U.S. in place, the economy is believed to get worse, making it a lot more difficult for Hong Kong to recover.&nbsp;

Taiwan's GDP growth was revised upward despite the pandemic and increasing tensions with China, leaving it as the only winner among the 4 Asian Tigers. As Taiwan GDP moved up the other Asian economies like South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore continued to face the worst ever economic slump in decades.

Taiwan's GDP growth was revised upward despite the pandemic and increasing tensions with China, leaving it as the only winner among the 4 Asian Tigers. As Taiwan GDP moved up the other Asian economies like South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore continued to face the worst ever economic slump in decades. What are the four Asian Tigers? The Four Asian Tigers are the high-growth economies of Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong. The Four Asian Tigers have habitually sustained high levels of economic growth since the 1960s and is included in the category of 35 most advanced economies of the International Monetary Fund. Singapore and Hong Kong have been the most distinguished global financial centres, while South Korea and Taiwan are essential hubs for the Global Manufacturing of automobile and electronic components, as well as information technology. Let us have a look at the current situation of the Asian Tigers: Taiwan seems to be the only winner among the 4 economies. Taiwan’s expected GDP can be revised upward for the first time thanks to the government’s “Triple Stimulus Vouchers” against the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), a top Taiwanese think tank said Wednesday (July 22), reported Taiwan News. The unprecedented revision saw the island’s economy grow by 1.77 per cent in 2020, compared to the 1.03 per cent the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) predicted in April. The new figure released Wednesday was the first upward revision by a Taiwanese think tank since the outbreak of the pandemic, going against earlier international forecasts of negative growth. Taiwan is one of the few states that has successfully handled the Coronavirus Crisis with just 455 positive cases on the island. Out of 455 infections, Taiwan successfully treated 440 infections and recorded just 7 deaths to date. Taiwan is being seen as a success story globally in dealing with the deadly pandemic that has caused more than 15 million infections around the world and caused more than 623658 deaths. The success of Taiwan is extraordinary in many senses. In a recent exclusive interview to WION, Taiwan's Acting Ambassador Jack CH Chen said, "China has used the [coronavirus] opportunity to expand its military presence in the South and East China Seas". Taiwan's top diplomat in India said that China continues to "intimidate" Taiwan amidst COVID pandemic and "dispatch military aircraft and vessels to circle Taiwan." South Korea, the other 4 Asian Tigers plunged into a recession with its worst economic decline in exports by most since 1963. Asia's fourth-largest economy shrank by a seasonally adjusted 3.3% in the June quarter from three months earlier, the Bank of Korea said on Thursday. That is the sharpest contraction since the first quarter of 1998 as per news agency Reuters. South Korea was the next country to slide into recession after Singapore. Singapore's trade-reliant economy plunged into a recession with its GDP plummeting 41% in the second quarter. The contraction was worse than economists' expectations for a 37.4% decline in the quarter when Singapore was under lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. The once-in-a-century pandemic has so far infected over 13 million people worldwide and killed nearly 573,000. Singapore has reported 46,283 coronavirus cases with 26 deaths as of Monday. The government expects full-year GDP to contract in the range of -7% to -4%, the biggest downturn in its history. Citi analysts see an 8.5% contraction and expect another downgrade to official forecasts next month when final GDP data is released, according to news agency Reuters. Hong Kong, on the other hand, had its unemployment rate risen to 6.2 per cent, which is the highest in more than 15 years. Hong Kong has been able to effectively control the spread of the virus is now struggling with the 'Third Wave' of virus spread. Hong Kong on Wednesday recorded the highest single-day spike of 102 Coronavirus cases. According to the data released by the city's health department, of the additional local cases, more than half were unlined to previous cases. According to Labour Chief, Law Chi-Kwong, “the still serious [pandemic] situations in certain parts of the world, and renewed surge in local cases lately serve as a timely reminder that the economic outlook is still subject to huge uncertainties.” The city entered an economic recession last year, after months of anti-government protests sparked by the now-withdrawn extradition bill The local economy was dealt another blow when the coronavirus broke out in Hong Kong in late January. In the first quarter alone, Hong Kong’s economy suffered its worst decline on record, contracting 8.9 per cent year on year. And now with China's National Security Law that has attracted Global Criticism and sanctions from the U.S. in place, the economy is believed to get worse, making it a lot more difficult for Hong Kong to recover.

Coronavirus: Taiwan, the only winning economy among Four Asian Tigers

On Chinese Communist Party's 99th anniversary, a timeline of how it became so controversial

Taiwan's top diplomat in India has said that China continues to "intimidate" it amidst COVID pandemic and "dispatch military aircraft and vessels to circle Taiwan" Speaking exclusively to our&nbsp;Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Taiwan's&nbsp;Acting Ambassador Jack CH&nbsp;Chen said,"While countries are focusing on combating pandemic...China has used the opportunity to expand its military presence in the South and East China Seas". Speaking on India, Taiwan ties, the diplomat expressed his optimism that "through a joint effort following the pandemic, Taiwan and India will become staunch partners in the Indo-Pacific region." On its WHO membership, Chen said, "We hope that India, as the new Chair of WHO’s Executive Board, will help ensure the WHO Secretariat maintains a professional, neutral stance when considering issues related to Taiwan’s participation". 
&nbsp;

WION: China has shown an ambition to change the status quo amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, sending military aircraft and vessels into Taiwan’s airspace and territorial waters. How do you view this situation?

Jack CH&nbsp;Chen: China’s attempts to intimidate Taiwan militarily have never ceased. It continues to dispatch military aircraft and vessels to circle Taiwan and provoke us. China continues to state that it will not abandon the use of force against Taiwan. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the situation has grown more serious, and Chinese military aircraft and vessels have frequently circled Taiwan. In addition, while countries including the United States have been focusing on combating the pandemic, China has used the opportunity to expand its military presence in the South and East China Seas. It has bolstered its deployment on South China Sea islets and continues to dispatch military aircraft and vessels and Coast Guard vessels to the area. These actions have escalated tension in the region. China’s actions are not only detrimental to the positive development of cross-strait relations, they also seriously undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region at large.

In consideration of the global pandemic, China should be more transparent; allow for an independent, international investigation; and work more closely with the international community to discern the origins of the virus and what went wrong with disease containment measures so as to better contribute to the global healthcare system.

Taiwan strives to defend such values as democracy and freedom and spares no effort to support regional peace and stability. These efforts have earned high praise from the international community. Taiwan will never succumb to pressure. Rather, we will strive harder to defend our sovereignty, ensure our national interests, and reach out to the international community. We will seek to deepen substantive cooperation with like-minded nations and participate in related international organizations so as to make more concrete contributions to the international community.

 

WION: Is there a possibility for increased cooperation between Taiwan and India amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Jack CH&nbsp;Chen:&nbsp;The global pandemic has shown the perils that come with reliance on a single or just a few sources of critical components. In the post-pandemic era, we will likely see a restructuring of the global supply chain. Apart from focusing on capacity building, Taiwan and India should carefully appraise our respective positions in the post-pandemic global supply chain and make plans to forge a partnership. Taiwan and India are natural tradings and industrial partners. Taiwan excels at hardware manufacturing, while India’s prowess lies in software development. India is now enjoying a demographic dividend and it is in an advantageous location with respect to market access in East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. There has long been a great potential for cooperation between India and Taiwan. Responding to the effects of the pandemic, India has doubled down on its Make in India initiative to reform the economy and attract foreign investment. Under this scheme, India has made a major effort to attract Taiwanese businesses. We are glad to see that India is continuing to improve its investment environment, as this benefits Taiwanese businesses looking to expand investment in India. Taiwan and India are both democratic countries and share such values as freedom, democracy, rule of law, and protection of human rights. Over the past few years, our nations have taken great strides toward cooperation in such areas as trade and investment. The pandemic, meanwhile, has helped us identify new areas for further cooperation, including e-commerce, online interaction, and biochemical technology. We hope that through a joint effort following the pandemic, Taiwan and India will become staunch partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

&nbsp;

WION: India will now chair WHO’s Executive Board. Does Taiwan have any expectations for India’s new role?

Jack CH&nbsp;Chen: Taiwan sincerely congratulates India on its new role as chair of WHO’s Executive Board. As the most important international organization guiding the development of global public health and defending the right to health, WHO should welcome participation by all stakeholders, including Taiwan. We hope that India, as the new Chair of WHO’s Executive Board, will help ensure the WHO Secretariat maintains a professional, neutral stance when considering issues related to Taiwan’s participation, such as granting Taiwan observer status at the World Health Assembly and including Taiwan in all WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities. This would help ensure the health and welfare of people in Taiwan and around the world.

 

WION: Are you confident that Taiwan will one day become a WHO member?

Jack CH&nbsp;Chen: Taiwan did not receive an invitation to the 2020 WHA held in May due to interference from China and WHO’s failure to maintain a professional, impartial stance. Other countries have noticed China’s unreasonable influence on international organizations and have publicly expressed support for Taiwan. There was an overwhelming outpouring of support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA this year, which shows that the world recognizes the urgency and importance of Taiwan’s participation in WHO. This has been encouraging for Taiwan and we believe that the more international support we obtain, the closer we grow to our goal. Taiwan’s bids to participate in international organizations, including WHO, has always been based on the principles of being professional, pragmatic, and constructive. Our goal at the present time is to be invited to attend the WHA as an observer and to participate fully in WHO meetings, activities, and mechanisms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taiwan Model of successful containment measures has been praised around the world. Once we were able to supply our domestic needs, Taiwan selflessly began donating anti-pandemic medical supplies to more than 80 countries. We have shown the world that Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.

 

WION: Do you think that China mishandled the COVID-19 crisis?

Jack CH&nbsp;Chen:&nbsp;China covered up and delayed notifying the world of the SARS outbreak in 2003. When the COVID-19 outbreak erupted in Wuhan in December 2019, other countries remained unaware of the situation. Even within China, information was not shared in a transparent manner. As a result, countries around the world were unable to respond quickly during the critical beginning stage of the outbreak. The golden opportunity to contain the outbreak was lost and it grew into a global pandemic. This highlights the terrible consequences of China’s lack of transparency.At the end of December 2019, Taiwan began noting information about related cases being shared on the internet and immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. Our officials notified WHO’s IHR focal point on December 31, asking them to pay special attention to the fact that patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia had been isolated for treatment in Wuhan City. If China and WHO had responded quickly and alerted governments around the world to the situation, the outbreak could have been contained and the effect on humankind would have been significantly reduced.&nbsp;As a result of China’s mishandling of the outbreak, other countries have lost faith in China and have remained on alert. At the same time, the world sees Taiwan as a force for good even more than previously. We alerted WHO immediately after discovering a questionable situation, and have handled the outbreak in Taiwan transparently, showing that democratic countries are able to combat the virus in an open, honest, and transparent manner.

Taiwan's top diplomat in India has said that China continues to "intimidate" it amidst COVID pandemic and "dispatch military aircraft and vessels to circle Taiwan" Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Taiwan's Acting Ambassador Jack CH Chen said,"While countries are focusing on combating pandemic.

Taiwan's top diplomat in India has said that China continues to "intimidate" it amidst COVID pandemic and "dispatch military aircraft and vessels to circle Taiwan" Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Taiwan's Acting Ambassador Jack CH Chen said,"While countries are focusing on combating pandemic...China has used the opportunity to expand its military presence in the South and East China Seas". Speaking on India, Taiwan ties, the diplomat expressed his optimism that "through a joint effort following the pandemic, Taiwan and India will become staunch partners in the Indo-Pacific region." On its WHO membership, Chen said, "We hope that India, as the new Chair of WHO’s Executive Board, will help ensure the WHO Secretariat maintains a professional, neutral stance when considering issues related to Taiwan’s participation". WION: China has shown an ambition to change the status quo amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, sending military aircraft and vessels into Taiwan’s airspace and territorial waters. How do you view this situation? Jack CH Chen: China’s attempts to intimidate Taiwan militarily have never ceased. It continues to dispatch military aircraft and vessels to circle Taiwan and provoke us. China continues to state that it will not abandon the use of force against Taiwan. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the situation has grown more serious, and Chinese military aircraft and vessels have frequently circled Taiwan. In addition, while countries including the United States have been focusing on combating the pandemic, China has used the opportunity to expand its military presence in the South and East China Seas. It has bolstered its deployment on South China Sea islets and continues to dispatch military aircraft and vessels and Coast Guard vessels to the area. These actions have escalated tension in the region. China’s actions are not only detrimental to the positive development of cross-strait relations, they also seriously undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region at large. In consideration of the global pandemic, China should be more transparent; allow for an independent, international investigation; and work more closely with the international community to discern the origins of the virus and what went wrong with disease containment measures so as to better contribute to the global healthcare system. Taiwan strives to defend such values as democracy and freedom and spares no effort to support regional peace and stability. These efforts have earned high praise from the international community. Taiwan will never succumb to pressure. Rather, we will strive harder to defend our sovereignty, ensure our national interests, and reach out to the international community. We will seek to deepen substantive cooperation with like-minded nations and participate in related international organizations so as to make more concrete contributions to the international community.   WION: Is there a possibility for increased cooperation between Taiwan and India amidst the COVID-19 crisis? Jack CH Chen: The global pandemic has shown the perils that come with reliance on a single or just a few sources of critical components. In the post-pandemic era, we will likely see a restructuring of the global supply chain. Apart from focusing on capacity building, Taiwan and India should carefully appraise our respective positions in the post-pandemic global supply chain and make plans to forge a partnership. Taiwan and India are natural tradings and industrial partners. Taiwan excels at hardware manufacturing, while India’s prowess lies in software development. India is now enjoying a demographic dividend and it is in an advantageous location with respect to market access in East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. There has long been a great potential for cooperation between India and Taiwan. Responding to the effects of the pandemic, India has doubled down on its Make in India initiative to reform the economy and attract foreign investment. Under this scheme, India has made a major effort to attract Taiwanese businesses. We are glad to see that India is continuing to improve its investment environment, as this benefits Taiwanese businesses looking to expand investment in India. Taiwan and India are both democratic countries and share such values as freedom, democracy, rule of law, and protection of human rights. Over the past few years, our nations have taken great strides toward cooperation in such areas as trade and investment. The pandemic, meanwhile, has helped us identify new areas for further cooperation, including e-commerce, online interaction, and biochemical technology. We hope that through a joint effort following the pandemic, Taiwan and India will become staunch partners in the Indo-Pacific region. WION: India will now chair WHO’s Executive Board. Does Taiwan have any expectations for India’s new role? Jack CH Chen: Taiwan sincerely congratulates India on its new role as chair of WHO’s Executive Board. As the most important international organization guiding the development of global public health and defending the right to health, WHO should welcome participation by all stakeholders, including Taiwan. We hope that India, as the new Chair of WHO’s Executive Board, will help ensure the WHO Secretariat maintains a professional, neutral stance when considering issues related to Taiwan’s participation, such as granting Taiwan observer status at the World Health Assembly and including Taiwan in all WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities. This would help ensure the health and welfare of people in Taiwan and around the world.   WION: Are you confident that Taiwan will one day become a WHO member? Jack CH Chen: Taiwan did not receive an invitation to the 2020 WHA held in May due to interference from China and WHO’s failure to maintain a professional, impartial stance. Other countries have noticed China’s unreasonable influence on international organizations and have publicly expressed support for Taiwan. There was an overwhelming outpouring of support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA this year, which shows that the world recognizes the urgency and importance of Taiwan’s participation in WHO. This has been encouraging for Taiwan and we believe that the more international support we obtain, the closer we grow to our goal. Taiwan’s bids to participate in international organizations, including WHO, has always been based on the principles of being professional, pragmatic, and constructive. Our goal at the present time is to be invited to attend the WHA as an observer and to participate fully in WHO meetings, activities, and mechanisms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taiwan Model of successful containment measures has been praised around the world. Once we were able to supply our domestic needs, Taiwan selflessly began donating anti-pandemic medical supplies to more than 80 countries. We have shown the world that Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.   WION: Do you think that China mishandled the COVID-19 crisis? Jack CH Chen: China covered up and delayed notifying the world of the SARS outbreak in 2003. When the COVID-19 outbreak erupted in Wuhan in December 2019, other countries remained unaware of the situation. Even within China, information was not shared in a transparent manner. As a result, countries around the world were unable to respond quickly during the critical beginning stage of the outbreak. The golden opportunity to contain the outbreak was lost and it grew into a global pandemic. This highlights the terrible consequences of China’s lack of transparency.At the end of December 2019, Taiwan began noting information about related cases being shared on the internet and immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. Our officials notified WHO’s IHR focal point on December 31, asking them to pay special attention to the fact that patients with symptoms of atypical pneumonia had been isolated for treatment in Wuhan City. If China and WHO had responded quickly and alerted governments around the world to the situation, the outbreak could have been contained and the effect on humankind would have been significantly reduced. As a result of China’s mishandling of the outbreak, other countries have lost faith in China and have remained on alert. At the same time, the world sees Taiwan as a force for good even more than previously. We alerted WHO immediately after discovering a questionable situation, and have handled the outbreak in Taiwan transparently, showing that democratic countries are able to combat the virus in an open, honest, and transparent manner.

WION exclusive | China continues to intimidate us amidst COVID, says Taiwan's top diplomat in India

Taiwanese Parliament is engulfed in turmoil due to repeated political brawls. Is Tawain's principle opposition party trying to corner Tsai Ing-wen at China's behest? WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you a report.

Gravitas: Is China influencing Taiwan's opposition?

Taiwan's annual military exercise this year is aimed at sending a message to China. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how Taiwan plans to repel any Chinese invasion.

Gravitas: Taiwan's biggest message of intent to China

Two crew members were killed in a helicopter crash Thursday as Taiwan's military held drills across the island -- including one simulating coastal assaults from China.

Thursday's climax of the five-day drill aimed to test how democratic Taiwan's armed forces would repel an invasion from its giant neighbour.

Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it -- by force if necessary.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-conducts-live-fire-drill-to-thwart-invasion-amid-china-tensions-313667">Also read:&nbsp;Taiwan conducts live-fire drill to thwart 'invasion' amid China tensions</a>

Thursday's main simulation saw Taiwan fighter jets, warships and ground troops repelling an enemy attempt to land on a beach in the central city of Taichung in an operation involving some 8,000 service members.

The military said a Bell 0H-58D helicopter crashed as it returned to Hsinchu airbase from one of the exercises, killing the pilot and co-pilot.

Taipei has lived with the threat of invasion by China since the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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I was saddened to learn that Army Major Chien Jen-chuan &amp; Captain Kao Chia-lung lost their lives in a training accident, &amp; I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to their families. This is a great loss for our military, &amp; we all share in their grief.
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) <a href="https://twitter.com/iingwen/status/1283712108316614656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In recent decades it has found itself increasingly outnumbered and outgunned by China's enormous People's Liberation Army.

Beijing has piled military, economic and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016 because she refuses to acknowledge its stance that the island is part of "one China".

Tsai won a landslide re-election in January in what was seen as a strong rebuke to China's strong-arm tactics against the island.

Last year President Xi Jinping gave an especially bellicose speech about Taiwan, warning unification was coming.

"I think it's inevitable that the People's Republic of China will realise the reunification of the motherland," Beijing foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters when asked about Taiwan's drills.

In recent months Chinese warplanes have started buzzing Taiwan with unprecedented frequency, repeatedly breaching its air defence zone and prompting Taipei to scramble its own fighter jets.

New hardware

The military mismatch has been compounded by Western governments being increasingly wary of selling Taiwan advanced weapon systems, fearful of incurring Beijing's wrath.

That has pushed the island to develop its own hardware, including advanced missiles, boats and a new trainer jet.

Some of that hardware, including locally built surface-to-air and hypersonic missiles, was used during this week's drills.

China's increasingly muscular approach towards the island has also sparked renewed international co-operation with Taiwan.

Under US President Donald Trump, Washington has become far more willing to sell big-ticket items, including F-16 fighter jets and other hardware.

Earlier this week, Beijing vowed to impose sanctions on defence company Lockheed Martin in response to the US agreeing to upgrade Taiwan's Patriot missile systems.

France has also angered Beijing by agreeing to upgrade the missile interference systems on frigates Taiwan purchased in the 1990s.

Washington has remained a leading unofficial ally and arms supplier to Taipei despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979.

Two crew members were killed in a helicopter crash Thursday as Taiwan's military held drills across the island -- including one simulating coastal assaults from China.

Two crew members were killed in a helicopter crash Thursday as Taiwan's military held drills across the island -- including one simulating coastal assaults from China. Thursday's climax of the five-day drill aimed to test how democratic Taiwan's armed forces would repel an invasion from its giant neighbour. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it -- by force if necessary. Also read: Taiwan conducts live-fire drill to thwart 'invasion' amid China tensions Thursday's main simulation saw Taiwan fighter jets, warships and ground troops repelling an enemy attempt to land on a beach in the central city of Taichung in an operation involving some 8,000 service members. The military said a Bell 0H-58D helicopter crashed as it returned to Hsinchu airbase from one of the exercises, killing the pilot and co-pilot. Taipei has lived with the threat of invasion by China since the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war. I was saddened to learn that Army Major Chien Jen-chuan & Captain Kao Chia-lung lost their lives in a training accident, & I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to their families. This is a great loss for our military, & we all share in their grief. — 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) July 16, 2020 × In recent decades it has found itself increasingly outnumbered and outgunned by China's enormous People's Liberation Army. Beijing has piled military, economic and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016 because she refuses to acknowledge its stance that the island is part of "one China". Tsai won a landslide re-election in January in what was seen as a strong rebuke to China's strong-arm tactics against the island. Last year President Xi Jinping gave an especially bellicose speech about Taiwan, warning unification was coming. "I think it's inevitable that the People's Republic of China will realise the reunification of the motherland," Beijing foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters when asked about Taiwan's drills. In recent months Chinese warplanes have started buzzing Taiwan with unprecedented frequency, repeatedly breaching its air defence zone and prompting Taipei to scramble its own fighter jets. New hardware The military mismatch has been compounded by Western governments being increasingly wary of selling Taiwan advanced weapon systems, fearful of incurring Beijing's wrath. That has pushed the island to develop its own hardware, including advanced missiles, boats and a new trainer jet. Some of that hardware, including locally built surface-to-air and hypersonic missiles, was used during this week's drills. China's increasingly muscular approach towards the island has also sparked renewed international co-operation with Taiwan. Under US President Donald Trump, Washington has become far more willing to sell big-ticket items, including F-16 fighter jets and other hardware. Earlier this week, Beijing vowed to impose sanctions on defence company Lockheed Martin in response to the US agreeing to upgrade Taiwan's Patriot missile systems. France has also angered Beijing by agreeing to upgrade the missile interference systems on frigates Taiwan purchased in the 1990s. Washington has remained a leading unofficial ally and arms supplier to Taipei despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979.

Two Taiwan helicopter crew members killed in China 'invasion' drill

Taiwan's air, sea and land forces on Thursday fought off simulated coastal assaults from China during their biggest annual live-fire exercises of the year, as Beijing ramps up military pressure on the island.

The five-day drill, which began on Monday, is aimed at testing how democratic Taiwan's armed forces would repel an invasion from its giant neighbour.

Thursday's simulation saw Taiwan's fighter jets, warships and ground troops repelling an enemy attempt to land on a beach in the central city of Taichung in an operation involving some 8,000 service members.

F-16 and domestically made Ching-kuo fighter jets launched strikes and tanks raced across inland scrub, firing shells to destroy targets on the beach. About 8,000 personnel took part in drills, held on a coastal strip near Taichung in central Taiwan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-pitching-democracy-to-its-investors-amid-hong-kong-convulsion-313453">Taiwan pitching democracy to its investors amid Hong Kong convulsion</a>

This year's annual drills, dubbed "Han Kuang," which are Taiwan's main annual exercises,&nbsp;come as China has stepped up its military activity around the island, including flying fighters and bombers close to what Beijing calls its "sacred territory".

President Tsai Ing-wen watched the drill, later tweeting that it "demonstrated to the world our robust defence capabilities and strong determination to defend Taiwan".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HanKuang36?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HanKuang36</a> exercise demonstrated to the world our robust defense capabilities &amp; strong determination to defend <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taiwan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taiwan</a>. The fighting spirit of our men &amp; women in uniform was on full display, with outstanding communication &amp; cooperation during joint operations. <a href="https://t.co/aTzpsregGT">pic.twitter.com/aTzpsregGT</a>
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) <a href="https://twitter.com/iingwen/status/1283620163959455744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"The Han Kuang exercises are a major annual event for the armed forces, evaluating the development of combat abilities. Even more, it lets the world see our determination and efforts to defend the country's territory," Tsai told the troops.

Tsai, who won re-election by a landslide in January, pledging to stand up to China, has made military modernisation a priority. Taiwan unveiled its largest defence spending increase in more than a decade last year.

"As I have said, national security does not rely on bowing and scraping but on solid national defence. All our officers and soldiers are the core of that," she added.

Although Taiwan's military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has huge numerical superiority and is adding advanced equipment such as stealth fighters and new ballistic missiles.

Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. Taipei has lived with the threat of invasion by China since the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.&nbsp;

In recent decades it has found itself increasingly outnumbered and outgunned by China's enormous People's Liberation Army.

Beijing has piled military, economic and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since Tsai came to power in 2016, because she refuses to acknowledge its stance that the island is part of "one China".

China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan, saying Tsai is pushing for the island's formal independence - a red line for Beijing. She says Taiwan is already an independent state called the Republic of China, its official name. 
Taiwan is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship. Beijing routinely denounces Washington's support for the island.

Taiwan's air, sea and land forces on Thursday fought off simulated coastal assaults from China during their biggest annual live-fire exercises of the year, as Beijing ramps up military pressure on the island.

Taiwan's air, sea and land forces on Thursday fought off simulated coastal assaults from China during their biggest annual live-fire exercises of the year, as Beijing ramps up military pressure on the island. The five-day drill, which began on Monday, is aimed at testing how democratic Taiwan's armed forces would repel an invasion from its giant neighbour. Thursday's simulation saw Taiwan's fighter jets, warships and ground troops repelling an enemy attempt to land on a beach in the central city of Taichung in an operation involving some 8,000 service members. F-16 and domestically made Ching-kuo fighter jets launched strikes and tanks raced across inland scrub, firing shells to destroy targets on the beach. About 8,000 personnel took part in drills, held on a coastal strip near Taichung in central Taiwan. Also read: Taiwan pitching democracy to its investors amid Hong Kong convulsion This year's annual drills, dubbed "Han Kuang," which are Taiwan's main annual exercises, come as China has stepped up its military activity around the island, including flying fighters and bombers close to what Beijing calls its "sacred territory". President Tsai Ing-wen watched the drill, later tweeting that it "demonstrated to the world our robust defence capabilities and strong determination to defend Taiwan". The #HanKuang36 exercise demonstrated to the world our robust defense capabilities & strong determination to defend #Taiwan. The fighting spirit of our men & women in uniform was on full display, with outstanding communication & cooperation during joint operations. pic.twitter.com/aTzpsregGT — 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) July 16, 2020 × "The Han Kuang exercises are a major annual event for the armed forces, evaluating the development of combat abilities. Even more, it lets the world see our determination and efforts to defend the country's territory," Tsai told the troops. Tsai, who won re-election by a landslide in January, pledging to stand up to China, has made military modernisation a priority. Taiwan unveiled its largest defence spending increase in more than a decade last year. "As I have said, national security does not rely on bowing and scraping but on solid national defence. All our officers and soldiers are the core of that," she added. Although Taiwan's military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has huge numerical superiority and is adding advanced equipment such as stealth fighters and new ballistic missiles. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. Taipei has lived with the threat of invasion by China since the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war. In recent decades it has found itself increasingly outnumbered and outgunned by China's enormous People's Liberation Army. Beijing has piled military, economic and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since Tsai came to power in 2016, because she refuses to acknowledge its stance that the island is part of "one China". China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan, saying Tsai is pushing for the island's formal independence - a red line for Beijing. She says Taiwan is already an independent state called the Republic of China, its official name. Taiwan is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship. Beijing routinely denounces Washington's support for the island.

Taiwan conducts live-fire drill to thwart 'invasion' amid China tensions

Taiwan is pitching democracy to its investors amid political turmoil in Hong Kong&nbsp;to draw more foreign money and talent.

The country's top financial regulator emphasized the high quality of life and rule of law in the nation to lure more investors and take advantage of the situation.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/eye-on-taiwan-now-china-puts-stealth-fighter-jet-j-20b-in-mass-production-313033">Eye on Taiwan: Now, China puts stealth fighter jet J-20B in mass production</a>

Taiwan has been in discussion with foreign financial institutions about increasing the investment in the country according to Financial Supervisory Chairman Huang Tien-mu.

This has been ongoing. It's not only aimed at Hong Kong," Huang said in his first interview with foreign media since being appointed to the post in late May.

The commission has been pushing financial reform to attract money and talent from around the region, and to bring Taiwan's financial system in line with international standards, he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-620-million-missile-upgrade-package-for-taiwan-312188">US approves $620 million missile upgrade package for Taiwan</a>

"Our main aim is not to replace any particular region or city," Huang added, when asked if China's new national security law for Hong Kong was an opportunity for Taiwan to supplant the city as Asia's financial centre.

"We hope to attract not only people or funds from one place. We hope to make Taiwan's market even more competitive, so it becomes a financial market that gets more attention in Asia."

Chinese-claimed and democratic Taiwan has condemned the new law, and anti-government protesters in the former British colony have won widespread and cross-party support on the island.

Taiwan opened an office this month to help people fleeing Hong Kong after China imposed the security law on the city, with a senior minister saying at the time Taiwan hoped to seize the opportunity to attract professionals and capital from the city.

But Huang, 61, said problems include Taiwan's more complex tax system, lower salaries, lack of wide usage of English and financial regulations that may be relatively liberal but are not as free as other parts of the world.

"In the short term, this is perhaps not something we can be like others with," added Huang, who started his career in Taiwan's Finance Ministry and has a doctorate from the University of Southern California.

"But Taiwan has its attractions. Our democratic system, rule of law that is transparent," Huang said, pointing to its freedom of speech, ability to elect its own leaders and even legalising of same-sex marriage.

"I've been to many international meetings, and I feel that everyone likes Taiwan - they feel very relaxed when they come here."

&nbsp;

Taiwan is pitching democracy to its investors amid political turmoil in Hong Kong to draw more foreign money and talent. The country's top financial regulator emphasized the high quality of life and rule of law in the nation to lure more investors and take advantage of the situation.

Taiwan is pitching democracy to its investors amid political turmoil in Hong Kong to draw more foreign money and talent. The country's top financial regulator emphasized the high quality of life and rule of law in the nation to lure more investors and take advantage of the situation. Also read| Eye on Taiwan: Now, China puts stealth fighter jet J-20B in mass production Taiwan has been in discussion with foreign financial institutions about increasing the investment in the country according to Financial Supervisory Chairman Huang Tien-mu. This has been ongoing. It's not only aimed at Hong Kong," Huang said in his first interview with foreign media since being appointed to the post in late May. The commission has been pushing financial reform to attract money and talent from around the region, and to bring Taiwan's financial system in line with international standards, he said. Also read: US approves $620 million missile upgrade package for Taiwan "Our main aim is not to replace any particular region or city," Huang added, when asked if China's new national security law for Hong Kong was an opportunity for Taiwan to supplant the city as Asia's financial centre. "We hope to attract not only people or funds from one place. We hope to make Taiwan's market even more competitive, so it becomes a financial market that gets more attention in Asia." Chinese-claimed and democratic Taiwan has condemned the new law, and anti-government protesters in the former British colony have won widespread and cross-party support on the island. Taiwan opened an office this month to help people fleeing Hong Kong after China imposed the security law on the city, with a senior minister saying at the time Taiwan hoped to seize the opportunity to attract professionals and capital from the city. But Huang, 61, said problems include Taiwan's more complex tax system, lower salaries, lack of wide usage of English and financial regulations that may be relatively liberal but are not as free as other parts of the world. "In the short term, this is perhaps not something we can be like others with," added Huang, who started his career in Taiwan's Finance Ministry and has a doctorate from the University of Southern California. "But Taiwan has its attractions. Our democratic system, rule of law that is transparent," Huang said, pointing to its freedom of speech, ability to elect its own leaders and even legalising of same-sex marriage. "I've been to many international meetings, and I feel that everyone likes Taiwan - they feel very relaxed when they come here."

Taiwan pitching democracy to its investors amid Hong Kong convulsion

China has decided to impose sanctions on US defence group Lockheed Martin after the US approved a potential $620 million upgrade package for missiles to Taiwan, straining the relations between the two countries.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-lays-out-plan-to-remove-huawei-as-chairman-john-browne-resigns-313239" hreflang="en">UK lays out plan to remove Huawei as chairman John Browne resigns</a>

Taiwan's latest purchase includes Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles to boost its defence capabilities as Beijing's stresses on its 'one China' policy.&nbsp;

Chinese foreign ministry's spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing on Tuesday that the country "firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan" and wants the US to accept that Taiwan is part of "one China".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-has-made-23-false-claims-every-day-in-the-last-14-months-report-313141">US President Trump has made 23 false claims every day in the last 14 months</a>

Zhao added that the US should "stop arms sales to Taiwan and cut military ties with it, so as not to do further harm to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait".

Relations between China and the US have been adversely affected as the two heavyweights continue to tussle on various issues such as origins of the coronavirus pandemic and China's policies in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang.

Beijing views Taiwan as one of its own, despite being ruled separately from the mainland since 1949. China has vowed to seize the territory by force if necessary.&nbsp;

The United States remains the top arms supplier to Taiwan despite cutting off its ties in 1979.&nbsp;

Zhao said China's move to hit Lockheed Martin with sanctions was "to safeguard its national interests".

In 2019, China had threatened sanctions on US firms linked to a sale of warplanes to Taiwan as well, calling the move a serious interference in its internal affairs.

China has decided to impose sanctions on US defence group Lockheed Martin after the US approved a potential $620 million upgrade package for missiles to Taiwan, straining the relations between the two countries.

China has decided to impose sanctions on US defence group Lockheed Martin after the US approved a potential $620 million upgrade package for missiles to Taiwan, straining the relations between the two countries. Also read: UK lays out plan to remove Huawei as chairman John Browne resigns Taiwan's latest purchase includes Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles to boost its defence capabilities as Beijing's stresses on its 'one China' policy. Chinese foreign ministry's spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing on Tuesday that the country "firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan" and wants the US to accept that Taiwan is part of "one China". Also read: US President Trump has made 23 false claims every day in the last 14 months Zhao added that the US should "stop arms sales to Taiwan and cut military ties with it, so as not to do further harm to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait". Relations between China and the US have been adversely affected as the two heavyweights continue to tussle on various issues such as origins of the coronavirus pandemic and China's policies in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang. Beijing views Taiwan as one of its own, despite being ruled separately from the mainland since 1949. China has vowed to seize the territory by force if necessary. The United States remains the top arms supplier to Taiwan despite cutting off its ties in 1979. Zhao said China's move to hit Lockheed Martin with sanctions was "to safeguard its national interests". In 2019, China had threatened sanctions on US firms linked to a sale of warplanes to Taiwan as well, calling the move a serious interference in its internal affairs.

China to impose sanctions on US' Lockheed Martin over arms deal with Taiwan

The United States has approved a possible $620 million upgrade package for Patriot surface-to-air missiles to Taiwan, the State Department said, the latest purchase from the United States to deal with a rising threat from China.

The United States, like most countries, has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the democratic island with the means to defend itself.

China, which claims the democratically-ruled island as its own territory, routinely denounces US arms sales to Taiwan.

Taiwan has requested to buy components to upgrade its Patriot missiles "in order to support an operational life of 30 years", the State Department said on Thursday.

Lockheed Martin will be the main contractor and the total estimated cost will be $620 million, it added.

"This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability," it said.

"The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defence. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces."

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it expected the sale to take effect within the next month.

"This arms sale is the 7th by the Trump administration to Taiwan so far, fully demonstrating the importance attached to our national defence security, consolidating our security partnership with the United States, and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region," the ministry said.

Taiwan has been bolstering its defences in the face of what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing, such as regular Chinese air force and naval exercises near Taiwan.

While Taiwan's military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has huge numerical superiority and is adding advanced equipment of its own such as stealth fighters.

The United States has approved a possible $620 million upgrade package for Patriot surface-to-air missiles to Taiwan, the State Department said, the latest purchase from the United States to deal with a rising threat from China.

The United States has approved a possible $620 million upgrade package for Patriot surface-to-air missiles to Taiwan, the State Department said, the latest purchase from the United States to deal with a rising threat from China. The United States, like most countries, has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the democratic island with the means to defend itself. China, which claims the democratically-ruled island as its own territory, routinely denounces US arms sales to Taiwan. Taiwan has requested to buy components to upgrade its Patriot missiles "in order to support an operational life of 30 years", the State Department said on Thursday. Lockheed Martin will be the main contractor and the total estimated cost will be $620 million, it added. "This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability," it said. "The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defence. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces." Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it expected the sale to take effect within the next month. "This arms sale is the 7th by the Trump administration to Taiwan so far, fully demonstrating the importance attached to our national defence security, consolidating our security partnership with the United States, and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region," the ministry said. Taiwan has been bolstering its defences in the face of what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing, such as regular Chinese air force and naval exercises near Taiwan. While Taiwan's military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has huge numerical superiority and is adding advanced equipment of its own such as stealth fighters.

US approves $620 million missile upgrade package for Taiwan

The imposition of a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong has sent chills through&nbsp;Taiwan, deepening fears that Beijing will focus next on seizing the democratic self-ruled island.

China and&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;split in 1949 after nationalist forces lost a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists, fleeing to the island which Beijing has since vowed to seize one day, by force if necessary.

"The law makes me dislike China even more," 18-year-old student Sylvia Chang told AFP, walking through National&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;University in Taipei.

"They had promised 50 years unchanged for Hong Kong but they are getting all the more heavy-handed... I am worried Hong Kong today could be&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;tomorrow."

Over the years China has used a mixture of threats and inducements, including a promise&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;could have the "One Country, Two Systems" model that governs Hong Kong, supposedly guaranteeing key civil liberties and a degree of autonomy for 50 years after the city's 1997 handover.

Both&nbsp;Taiwan's two largest political parties long ago rejected the offer, and the new security law has incinerated what little remaining faith many Taiwanese may have had in Beijing's outreach.

Some now fear even transiting through Hong Kong, worried that their social media profiles could see them open to prosecution under the legislation.

The law "makes China look so bad, distancing themselves even further from Hong Kongers, not to mention people across the strait in&nbsp;Taiwan", Alexander Huang, a political analyst at Tamkang University in Taipei, told AFP.

'Hong Kong today,&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;tomorrow'&nbsp;

Beijing has taken an especially hard line towards&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), ramping up military, economic and diplomatic pressure.

Tsai views&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;as a de facto independent nation and not part of "one China".

But the pressure campaign has done little to endear China to&nbsp;Taiwan's 23 million people.

In January, Tsai won a second term with a historic landslide and polls consistently show a growing distrust of China.

A record 67 percent now self-identify as "Taiwanese" instead of either Taiwanese-Chinese or Chinese -- a ten percent increase on the year before -- according to a routine poll conducted by the National Chengchi University.&nbsp;

In 1992, that figure was just 18 percent.

In recent decades&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;has morphed from a brutal autocracy into one of Asia's most progressive democracies.

Younger Taiwanese tend to be especially wary of its huge authoritarian neighbour.&nbsp;

Social media is filled with messages of support for Hong Kong's democracy movement. Some back Taiwanese independence, or highlight China's rights abuses in regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Wendy Peng, a 26-year-old magazine editor who said she often shared pro-Hong Kong democracy messages on social media, said she would now avoid visiting the city.&nbsp;

"The national security law makes me wonder how far would China go. Right now I don't see a bottom line and there's probably none. I think it's possible they will target&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;next," she said.

Universal jurisdiction&nbsp;

Peng's fears are not unfounded.&nbsp;

As well as allowing China's security apparatus to set up shop openly in Hong Kong for the first time, Beijing's security law claims universal jurisdiction.&nbsp;

Article 38 says security crimes can be committed anywhere in the world by people of any nationality.

Hong Kong police have made clear that support for Hong Kong,&nbsp;Taiwan, Tibet or Xinjiang independence is now illegal.&nbsp;

University employee Patrick Wu, 31, said he would now avoid even transiting through Hong Kong.&nbsp;

"It's like a blanket law, whatever China wants to define and interpret," he told AFP. "I don't know if the 'Likes' or messages I have left on social media will be prosecutable."

Last week Chen Ming-tong, the minister for&nbsp;Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, accused Beijing of aiming to become a supremely powerful "heavenly empire" by ordering "subjects all over the world" to obey its law.

Lin Fei-fan, deputy secretary-general of the ruling DPP, warned that "regular Taiwanese people" might now face arrest in "manufactured cases" if they went to Hong Kong.&nbsp;

He cited China's jailing of Taiwanese NGO worker Lee Ming-che under the mainland's own subversion laws.&nbsp;

Lee was arrested in 2017 during a trip to the mainland and held incommunicado for months before his eventual fate was made public.

Sung Chen-en, a political commentator and columnist in Taipei, said Beijing's new security law "creates a great uncertainty about what can be said" far beyond Hong Kong's borders.

"If everyone is watching his own expression of opinions, it creates a chilling effect on democracy," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"If everybody is exercising constraint, there is no freedom at all."

The imposition of a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong has sent chills through Taiwan, deepening fears that Beijing will focus next on seizing the democratic self-ruled island.

The imposition of a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong has sent chills through Taiwan, deepening fears that Beijing will focus next on seizing the democratic self-ruled island. China and Taiwan split in 1949 after nationalist forces lost a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists, fleeing to the island which Beijing has since vowed to seize one day, by force if necessary. "The law makes me dislike China even more," 18-year-old student Sylvia Chang told AFP, walking through National Taiwan University in Taipei. "They had promised 50 years unchanged for Hong Kong but they are getting all the more heavy-handed... I am worried Hong Kong today could be Taiwan tomorrow." Over the years China has used a mixture of threats and inducements, including a promise Taiwan could have the "One Country, Two Systems" model that governs Hong Kong, supposedly guaranteeing key civil liberties and a degree of autonomy for 50 years after the city's 1997 handover. Both Taiwan's two largest political parties long ago rejected the offer, and the new security law has incinerated what little remaining faith many Taiwanese may have had in Beijing's outreach. Some now fear even transiting through Hong Kong, worried that their social media profiles could see them open to prosecution under the legislation. The law "makes China look so bad, distancing themselves even further from Hong Kongers, not to mention people across the strait in Taiwan", Alexander Huang, a political analyst at Tamkang University in Taipei, told AFP. 'Hong Kong today, Taiwan tomorrow' Beijing has taken an especially hard line towards Taiwan since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), ramping up military, economic and diplomatic pressure. Tsai views Taiwan as a de facto independent nation and not part of "one China". But the pressure campaign has done little to endear China to Taiwan's 23 million people. In January, Tsai won a second term with a historic landslide and polls consistently show a growing distrust of China. A record 67 percent now self-identify as "Taiwanese" instead of either Taiwanese-Chinese or Chinese -- a ten percent increase on the year before -- according to a routine poll conducted by the National Chengchi University. In 1992, that figure was just 18 percent. In recent decades Taiwan has morphed from a brutal autocracy into one of Asia's most progressive democracies. Younger Taiwanese tend to be especially wary of its huge authoritarian neighbour. Social media is filled with messages of support for Hong Kong's democracy movement. Some back Taiwanese independence, or highlight China's rights abuses in regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang. Wendy Peng, a 26-year-old magazine editor who said she often shared pro-Hong Kong democracy messages on social media, said she would now avoid visiting the city. "The national security law makes me wonder how far would China go. Right now I don't see a bottom line and there's probably none. I think it's possible they will target Taiwan next," she said. Universal jurisdiction Peng's fears are not unfounded. As well as allowing China's security apparatus to set up shop openly in Hong Kong for the first time, Beijing's security law claims universal jurisdiction. Article 38 says security crimes can be committed anywhere in the world by people of any nationality. Hong Kong police have made clear that support for Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet or Xinjiang independence is now illegal. University employee Patrick Wu, 31, said he would now avoid even transiting through Hong Kong. "It's like a blanket law, whatever China wants to define and interpret," he told AFP. "I don't know if the 'Likes' or messages I have left on social media will be prosecutable." Last week Chen Ming-tong, the minister for Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, accused Beijing of aiming to become a supremely powerful "heavenly empire" by ordering "subjects all over the world" to obey its law. Lin Fei-fan, deputy secretary-general of the ruling DPP, warned that "regular Taiwanese people" might now face arrest in "manufactured cases" if they went to Hong Kong. He cited China's jailing of Taiwanese NGO worker Lee Ming-che under the mainland's own subversion laws. Lee was arrested in 2017 during a trip to the mainland and held incommunicado for months before his eventual fate was made public. Sung Chen-en, a political commentator and columnist in Taipei, said Beijing's new security law "creates a great uncertainty about what can be said" far beyond Hong Kong's borders. "If everyone is watching his own expression of opinions, it creates a chilling effect on democracy," he told AFP. "If everybody is exercising constraint, there is no freedom at all."

'We're next': Hong Kong security law sends chills through Taiwan

Somaliland, a full fledged functioning defacto independent country in the horn of Africa, has established ties with Taiwan. What is significant is that Somaliland borders Djibouti that host many foriegn bases including the only base foriegn base of China.&nbsp;

Chinese People's Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti was established in 2017 and gives the Chinese navy an oversight from Suez canal to western Indian ocean.

The Taiwanese foreign ministry said, "We've signed an agreement with Somaliland to establish good relations."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-hunger-for-others-land-knows-no-limits-its-latest-target-is-russia-310561">Also read|&nbsp;China's hunger for others' land knows no limits. It's latest target is Russia</a>

A Taiwan Representative Office will be set up in this "independent country on the Horn of Africa" and "We're thousands of miles apart, but share a deep-seated love of freedom and democracy" the statement from Taipei.

The Somaliland FM Yasin Hagi Mohamoud was himself in the Taiwan to sign the agreement and establishment of diplomatic ties, welcomed by both Tsai Ing-wen President of Taiwan and Muse Bihi Abdi President of Somaliland.

Remember Somaliland in north western Somalia, while is a fully functioning country, but is not recognised globally. Few engagements with foriegn govts have happened including with South Africa, UK, Djibouti, Sweden.

Eswatini is the only country to have diplomatic ties with Taiwan so far in Africa. Burkina Faso in 2018 broke official ties with Taiwan. Taiwan has formal ties with 15 countries, and substantial relationship with most countries in the world.&nbsp;

Its passport is officially accepted by more than 150 countries and enjoys a high-level of visa exemption or facilitation treatment due to its people's 20 million outbound visits every year.

Somaliland, a full fledged functioning defacto independent country in the horn of Africa, has established ties with Taiwan. What is significant is that Somaliland borders Djibouti that host many foriegn bases including the only base foriegn base of China.

Somaliland, a full fledged functioning defacto independent country in the horn of Africa, has established ties with Taiwan. What is significant is that Somaliland borders Djibouti that host many foriegn bases including the only base foriegn base of China. Chinese People's Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti was established in 2017 and gives the Chinese navy an oversight from Suez canal to western Indian ocean. The Taiwanese foreign ministry said, "We've signed an agreement with Somaliland to establish good relations." Also read| China's hunger for others' land knows no limits. It's latest target is Russia A Taiwan Representative Office will be set up in this "independent country on the Horn of Africa" and "We're thousands of miles apart, but share a deep-seated love of freedom and democracy" the statement from Taipei. The Somaliland FM Yasin Hagi Mohamoud was himself in the Taiwan to sign the agreement and establishment of diplomatic ties, welcomed by both Tsai Ing-wen President of Taiwan and Muse Bihi Abdi President of Somaliland. Remember Somaliland in north western Somalia, while is a fully functioning country, but is not recognised globally. Few engagements with foriegn govts have happened including with South Africa, UK, Djibouti, Sweden. Eswatini is the only country to have diplomatic ties with Taiwan so far in Africa. Burkina Faso in 2018 broke official ties with Taiwan. Taiwan has formal ties with 15 countries, and substantial relationship with most countries in the world. Its passport is officially accepted by more than 150 countries and enjoys a high-level of visa exemption or facilitation treatment due to its people's 20 million outbound visits every year.

Somaliland, next to China's only military base in Indian Ocean establishes ties with Taiwan

You may not be able to take an exotic holiday anytime soon. But, the travel-starved Taiwanese have an option. An airport in Taipei has come up with an idea - a make-believe flying experience.

Gravitas: Missing travelling? Taiwan is offering 'Fake Flights'

Starved of the travel experience during the coronavirus lockdown? One airport in Taiwan has the solution - a fake itinerary where you check in, go through passport control and security and even board the aircraft. You just never leave.

Check in but go nowhere: Taiwan offers fake flights for travel-starved tourists

Craving the travel experience during the coronavirus lockdown? One Taiwanese airport has the solution -- a fake itinerary where you check in, go through passport control and security and even board the aircraft. You just never leave.

Taipei's downtown Songshan airport on Thursday began offering travellers the chance to do just that, with some 60 people eager to get going, albeit to nowhere.

Around 7,000 people applied to take part, the winners chosen by random. More fake flight experiences will take place in coming weeks.

"I really want to leave the country, but because of the epidemic lots of flights can't fly," said Hsiao Chun-wei, 38, who brought her young son.

The passengers got boarding passes, and proceeded through security and immigration before boarding an Airbus A330 of Taiwan's largest carrier, China Airlines, where flight attendants chatted to them.

"I hope the epidemic ends soon so we can really fly away," said a 48-year-old woman who gave her family name as Tsai.

"I haven't been abroad for so long. Earlier, I would go abroad two to three times a year, every year. It's such a pity that this year because of the coronavirus epidemic I haven't been able to go abroad at all," another fake passenger said.

The airport is using the event to show off renovations completed while passengers have stayed away, and show people what coronavirus-prevention steps they are taking.

Songshan usually has flights to Tokyo, Seoul and several Chinese cities, and is also an important domestic hub.

Taiwan has emerged relatively unscathed from the pandemic thanks to early and effective prevention steps, but has largely closed its borders since mid-March. It has advised citizens against overseas travel unless absolutely necessary.

Craving the travel experience during the coronavirus lockdown? One Taiwanese airport has the solution -- a fake itinerary where you check in, go through passport control and security and even board the aircraft.

Craving the travel experience during the coronavirus lockdown? One Taiwanese airport has the solution -- a fake itinerary where you check in, go through passport control and security and even board the aircraft. You just never leave. Taipei's downtown Songshan airport on Thursday began offering travellers the chance to do just that, with some 60 people eager to get going, albeit to nowhere. Around 7,000 people applied to take part, the winners chosen by random. More fake flight experiences will take place in coming weeks. "I really want to leave the country, but because of the epidemic lots of flights can't fly," said Hsiao Chun-wei, 38, who brought her young son. The passengers got boarding passes, and proceeded through security and immigration before boarding an Airbus A330 of Taiwan's largest carrier, China Airlines, where flight attendants chatted to them. "I hope the epidemic ends soon so we can really fly away," said a 48-year-old woman who gave her family name as Tsai. "I haven't been abroad for so long. Earlier, I would go abroad two to three times a year, every year. It's such a pity that this year because of the coronavirus epidemic I haven't been able to go abroad at all," another fake passenger said. The airport is using the event to show off renovations completed while passengers have stayed away, and show people what coronavirus-prevention steps they are taking. Songshan usually has flights to Tokyo, Seoul and several Chinese cities, and is also an important domestic hub. Taiwan has emerged relatively unscathed from the pandemic thanks to early and effective prevention steps, but has largely closed its borders since mid-March. It has advised citizens against overseas travel unless absolutely necessary.

Taiwan offers fake flights for travel-starved tourists

Taiwan opened an office on July 1 to help people fleeing Hong Kong after China imposed new national security laws in the city, with a senior minister saying Taiwan hoped to seize the opportunity to attract professionals and capital from the city. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: President Tsai pledges support for Hong Kong, Taiwan opens new office to help HK

Taiwan on Tuesday warned its citizens of risk in visiting Hong Kong after China's parliament passed national security legislation for the city while Taiwan's president said she was disappointed about the law.

The security legislation imposed on Hong Kong sets the stage for the most radical changes to the former British colony's way of life since it returned to Chinese rule 23 years ago.

The new law would "severely impact" freedom, democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan's cabinet said in a statement, adding that the democratic island would continue to offer help to Hong Kong people.

"The move severely impacts Hong Kong society's freedom, human rights and stability. The government strongly condemns it and reiterates its support for the people of Hong Kong as they strive for democracy and freedom," cabinet spokesman Evian Ting said.

Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly said the legislation is aimed at a few "troublemakers" in Hong Kong and will not affect rights and freedoms, nor investor interests.

Nevertheless, Ting warned Taiwanese of "possible risks" when visiting Hong Kong in light of the legislation. He did not elaborate.

Months of anti-government, pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong last year won widespread sympathy in democratic and Chinese-claimed Taiwan, which has welcomed people from Hong Kong who have moved to the island and expects more to come.

President Tsai Ing-wen, who in May became the first government leader anywhere to pledge measures to help Hong Kong people who leave due to what they see as tightening Chinese controls, said she was "very disappointed" by China's imposition of the law.

"We hope Hong Kong people continue to adhere to the freedom, democracy and human rights that they cherish," she told reporters.

Taiwan is set to launch on Wednesday a dedicated office to help those thinking of fleeing Hong Kong. July 1 is also the anniversary of day the city returned to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997 with the promise of wide-ranging freedoms under a "one country, two systems" formula.

Tsai said the legislation proved that the formula "was not feasible" and that Taiwan would provide "concrete" humanitarian assistance to migrants from Hong Kong.

Beijing denies stifling Hong Kong's freedoms and has condemned Tsai's offer.

Taiwan on Tuesday warned its citizens of risk in visiting Hong Kong after China's parliament passed national security legislation for the city while Taiwan's president said she was disappointed about the law.

Taiwan on Tuesday warned its citizens of risk in visiting Hong Kong after China's parliament passed national security legislation for the city while Taiwan's president said she was disappointed about the law. The security legislation imposed on Hong Kong sets the stage for the most radical changes to the former British colony's way of life since it returned to Chinese rule 23 years ago. The new law would "severely impact" freedom, democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan's cabinet said in a statement, adding that the democratic island would continue to offer help to Hong Kong people. "The move severely impacts Hong Kong society's freedom, human rights and stability. The government strongly condemns it and reiterates its support for the people of Hong Kong as they strive for democracy and freedom," cabinet spokesman Evian Ting said. Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly said the legislation is aimed at a few "troublemakers" in Hong Kong and will not affect rights and freedoms, nor investor interests. Nevertheless, Ting warned Taiwanese of "possible risks" when visiting Hong Kong in light of the legislation. He did not elaborate. Months of anti-government, pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong last year won widespread sympathy in democratic and Chinese-claimed Taiwan, which has welcomed people from Hong Kong who have moved to the island and expects more to come. President Tsai Ing-wen, who in May became the first government leader anywhere to pledge measures to help Hong Kong people who leave due to what they see as tightening Chinese controls, said she was "very disappointed" by China's imposition of the law. "We hope Hong Kong people continue to adhere to the freedom, democracy and human rights that they cherish," she told reporters. Taiwan is set to launch on Wednesday a dedicated office to help those thinking of fleeing Hong Kong. July 1 is also the anniversary of day the city returned to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997 with the promise of wide-ranging freedoms under a "one country, two systems" formula. Tsai said the legislation proved that the formula "was not feasible" and that Taiwan would provide "concrete" humanitarian assistance to migrants from Hong Kong. Beijing denies stifling Hong Kong's freedoms and has condemned Tsai's offer.

Taiwan warns citizens of risk in Hong Kong visits after China passes law

By Linda Hsieh and John Child

Taiwan and Iceland have won praise for their effective responses to the coronavirus pandemic. They are among a group of countries which adopted a cooperative strategy early on the pandemic, bringing together multiple organisations to tackle the challenges in containing COVID-19.

A cooperative strategy is when organisations try to achieve their goals through cooperation with other organisations. Our own recent synthesis of research explains the attraction of this approach. It can allow public authorities or companies to speed up their response to new challenges by partnering with other organisations which have complementary resources and expertise.

While other countries, including South Korea and Germany, have deployed a cooperative approach, it’s been a key part of both Taiwan and Iceland’s response to the pandemic.

Taiwan’s model

Taiwan’s handling of COVID-19 has been exemplary. As of June 29, Taiwan, with a population of 23.8 million, has recorded only seven deaths linked to the virus, with 447 confirmed cases – 435 of which had fully recovered.

The Taiwanese government acted quickly to control its borders. It activated a Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) on January 20 to coordinate cooperation across different government ministries and agencies, and between government and businesses. The CECC also coordinates big data analytics, testing, quarantine and contact tracing.

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration and National Immigration Agency worked together to identify suspected cases for COVID-19 testing, integrating their databases of citizens’ medical and travel history. Since late March, all new arrivals must quarantine for 14 days.

CECC also partnered with police agencies, local officials and telecom companies to enforce quarantine with the support of mobile phone tracking. Local officials would call quarantined citizens to ask about their health and bring them basic daily supplies if required. Along with a 24-hour helpline, Taiwan’s Center for Disease Control collaborated with two tech companies – HTC and LINE) – to create a chatbot which allowed people to report their health status and get advice about the virus.

Taiwan can now test about 5,800 samples a day through a cooperative network of public and private testing centres and certified laboratories.

To avoid the panic buying of face masks, the government rationed their distribution and ramped up production. In February, the government partnered with the Machine Tool &amp; Accessory Builders’ Association and manufacturers, investing in new machinery to produce surgical face masks. In return, manufacturers have to sell the masks back to the government at an agreed price.

This effective government-led cooperative strategy resulted in the establishment of 60 production lines in 25 days, something which would normally have taken several months. More production lines have been added, and Taiwan now can produce about 20 million masks a day.

The public can interact with the government on Taiwan, a virtual democracy platform for open discussion to build consensus on policy solutions. A face mask map app grew out of a suggestion on Taiwan and now provides real-time information on stock availability. The app was developed through collaboration between the Digital Ministry and a group of entrepreneurs and hacktivists.

Iceland’s strategy

Iceland provides another example of a country which used a cooperative strategy to manage the pandemic. As of June 29, Iceland had recorded 10 deaths and 1,838 confirmed COVID-19 infections, of which 1,816 have fully recovered. Its success can be explained by the government’s quick action in activating the National Crisis Coordination Center on January 31 to coordinate the country’s response to COVID-19 through mass testing, quarantine and tracing close contacts of infected citizens.

A public-private partnership between the National University Hospital of Iceland and deCODE Genetics enabled Iceland to carry out aggressive testing from February.

Similar to Taiwan, cooperation and coordination between Iceland’s government ministries and agencies have played a key role in quarantine and contact tracing.

The Directorate of Health worked with the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management to create a team of 60 contact tracers in February, drawn from police investigators and healthcare workers. In this collaboration, the police contributed their expertise in traditional detective methods and enforced quarantine rules.

These two departments also partnered with a group of companies to create the Rakning C-19 tracing app in consultation with Iceland’s Data Protection Authority.

Public trust

The governments of both Taiwan and Iceland have secured high levels of public trust for their responses to coronavirus. In Taiwan, YouGov polls in May showed that public trust in the government and healthcare professionals on COVID-19 was very high – at over 80%. A combination of transparency and effectiveness may explain polling in April which suggested that 84% of Icelanders were willing to sacrifice some human rights if it helps to prevent the spread of the virus.

The example of these two countries shows how trust can be promoted by speedy government action to activate a crisis management and command centre which is headed by medical experts rather than politicians. Its purpose should be to coordinate cooperation between government and business and to communicate transparently with the public. This fits with a general lesson from cooperative strategies: openness between all parties is crucial and is a foundation for collaborative trust.

(Linda Hsieh is Reader in Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham; John Child is Professor of Commerce, University of Birmingham)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-coronavirus-success-of-taiwan-and-iceland-has-in-common-140455">original article</a>) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Linda Hsieh and John Child Taiwan and Iceland have won praise for their effective responses to the coronavirus pandemic. They are among a group of countries which adopted a cooperative strategy early on the pandemic, bringing together multiple organisations to tackle the challenges in containing COVID-19.

By Linda Hsieh and John Child Taiwan and Iceland have won praise for their effective responses to the coronavirus pandemic. They are among a group of countries which adopted a cooperative strategy early on the pandemic, bringing together multiple organisations to tackle the challenges in containing COVID-19. A cooperative strategy is when organisations try to achieve their goals through cooperation with other organisations. Our own recent synthesis of research explains the attraction of this approach. It can allow public authorities or companies to speed up their response to new challenges by partnering with other organisations which have complementary resources and expertise. While other countries, including South Korea and Germany, have deployed a cooperative approach, it’s been a key part of both Taiwan and Iceland’s response to the pandemic. Taiwan’s model Taiwan’s handling of COVID-19 has been exemplary. As of June 29, Taiwan, with a population of 23.8 million, has recorded only seven deaths linked to the virus, with 447 confirmed cases – 435 of which had fully recovered. The Taiwanese government acted quickly to control its borders. It activated a Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) on January 20 to coordinate cooperation across different government ministries and agencies, and between government and businesses. The CECC also coordinates big data analytics, testing, quarantine and contact tracing. Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration and National Immigration Agency worked together to identify suspected cases for COVID-19 testing, integrating their databases of citizens’ medical and travel history. Since late March, all new arrivals must quarantine for 14 days. CECC also partnered with police agencies, local officials and telecom companies to enforce quarantine with the support of mobile phone tracking. Local officials would call quarantined citizens to ask about their health and bring them basic daily supplies if required. Along with a 24-hour helpline, Taiwan’s Center for Disease Control collaborated with two tech companies – HTC and LINE) – to create a chatbot which allowed people to report their health status and get advice about the virus. Taiwan can now test about 5,800 samples a day through a cooperative network of public and private testing centres and certified laboratories. To avoid the panic buying of face masks, the government rationed their distribution and ramped up production. In February, the government partnered with the Machine Tool & Accessory Builders’ Association and manufacturers, investing in new machinery to produce surgical face masks. In return, manufacturers have to sell the masks back to the government at an agreed price. This effective government-led cooperative strategy resulted in the establishment of 60 production lines in 25 days, something which would normally have taken several months. More production lines have been added, and Taiwan now can produce about 20 million masks a day. The public can interact with the government on Taiwan, a virtual democracy platform for open discussion to build consensus on policy solutions. A face mask map app grew out of a suggestion on Taiwan and now provides real-time information on stock availability. The app was developed through collaboration between the Digital Ministry and a group of entrepreneurs and hacktivists. Iceland’s strategy Iceland provides another example of a country which used a cooperative strategy to manage the pandemic. As of June 29, Iceland had recorded 10 deaths and 1,838 confirmed COVID-19 infections, of which 1,816 have fully recovered. Its success can be explained by the government’s quick action in activating the National Crisis Coordination Center on January 31 to coordinate the country’s response to COVID-19 through mass testing, quarantine and tracing close contacts of infected citizens. A public-private partnership between the National University Hospital of Iceland and deCODE Genetics enabled Iceland to carry out aggressive testing from February. Similar to Taiwan, cooperation and coordination between Iceland’s government ministries and agencies have played a key role in quarantine and contact tracing. The Directorate of Health worked with the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management to create a team of 60 contact tracers in February, drawn from police investigators and healthcare workers. In this collaboration, the police contributed their expertise in traditional detective methods and enforced quarantine rules. These two departments also partnered with a group of companies to create the Rakning C-19 tracing app in consultation with Iceland’s Data Protection Authority. Public trust The governments of both Taiwan and Iceland have secured high levels of public trust for their responses to coronavirus. In Taiwan, YouGov polls in May showed that public trust in the government and healthcare professionals on COVID-19 was very high – at over 80%. A combination of transparency and effectiveness may explain polling in April which suggested that 84% of Icelanders were willing to sacrifice some human rights if it helps to prevent the spread of the virus. The example of these two countries shows how trust can be promoted by speedy government action to activate a crisis management and command centre which is headed by medical experts rather than politicians. Its purpose should be to coordinate cooperation between government and business and to communicate transparently with the public. This fits with a general lesson from cooperative strategies: openness between all parties is crucial and is a foundation for collaborative trust. (Linda Hsieh is Reader in Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham; John Child is Professor of Commerce, University of Birmingham) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article)

What coronavirus success of Taiwan and Iceland has in common

Taiwan's parliament on Monday witnessed vandalism and fighting after the opposition members occupied it in protest of what it called government "tyranny".&nbsp;

Over 20 lawmakers of main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) occupied the legislature overnight on Monday, installing chains and chairs to block entry to the main chamber.&nbsp;

<img alt="Taiwan parliament" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84216234-cee2-4903-a479-25d975269e9a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_137.jpg" />

(Lawmakers from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) scuffle with lawmakers from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, who have been occupying the Legislature Yuan | Photo Credit: Reuters)

The opposition members said that the government was trying to force through legislation and demanded the president to withdraw the nomination of her close aide to a top-level watchdog.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lgbtq-pride-month-events-go-online-to-mark-50th-anniversary-taiwan-holds-march-309170">LGBTQ Pride Month events go online to mark 50th anniversary; Taiwan holds march</a>

The members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Monday morning removed the barricades and forced their way in.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-to-let-hong-kongers-in-on-humanitarian-grounds-beginning-july-1-the-same-day-hk-was-returned-to-china-308311">Taiwan to let Hong Kongers in on 'humanitarian' grounds beginning July 1 - the same day HK was returned to China</a>

There was a lot of scuffles and shouting between KMT and DPP lawmakers, however, KMT eventually withdrew the struggle, denouncing the violence used against them by the ruling party.&nbsp;

KMT, which favours close ties with China, said it was protesting against the government and President Tsai Ing-wen for forcing through bills.&nbsp;

They also opposed Tsai's nomination of her senior aide Chen Chu to head the Control Yuan, an independent government watchdog, describing the government "more tyrannical than before".

Protests and fights in Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, inside the parliament is quite common and in 2014 hundreds of students occupied parliament for weeks in protests, which were famously known as Sunflower Movement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Taiwan's parliament on Monday witnessed vandalism and fighting after the opposition members occupied it in protest of what it called government "tyranny". Over 20 lawmakers of main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) occupied the legislature overnight on Monday, installing chains and chairs to block entry to the main chamber.

Taiwan's parliament on Monday witnessed vandalism and fighting after the opposition members occupied it in protest of what it called government "tyranny". Over 20 lawmakers of main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) occupied the legislature overnight on Monday, installing chains and chairs to block entry to the main chamber. (Lawmakers from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) scuffle with lawmakers from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, who have been occupying the Legislature Yuan | Photo Credit: Reuters) The opposition members said that the government was trying to force through legislation and demanded the president to withdraw the nomination of her close aide to a top-level watchdog. Also read | LGBTQ Pride Month events go online to mark 50th anniversary; Taiwan holds march The members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Monday morning removed the barricades and forced their way in. Also read | Taiwan to let Hong Kongers in on 'humanitarian' grounds beginning July 1 - the same day HK was returned to China There was a lot of scuffles and shouting between KMT and DPP lawmakers, however, KMT eventually withdrew the struggle, denouncing the violence used against them by the ruling party. KMT, which favours close ties with China, said it was protesting against the government and President Tsai Ing-wen for forcing through bills. They also opposed Tsai's nomination of her senior aide Chen Chu to head the Control Yuan, an independent government watchdog, describing the government "more tyrannical than before". Protests and fights in Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, inside the parliament is quite common and in 2014 hundreds of students occupied parliament for weeks in protests, which were famously known as Sunflower Movement. (With inputs from Reuters)

Fighting, vandalism in Taiwan after Opposition occupies Parliament

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