The decline was driven largely by a steep fall in arrivals from mainland China amid simmering political tensions and travel disruptions.

The tourism agency said the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday weighed on travel, as it fell in mid-February this year rather than late January in 2025. 

It also cited a Chinese government advisory warning against travel to Japan and reduced flight frequencies.

Tensions have escalated since November, when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially triggering a military response.

Beijing has criticised the remarks. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the Munich Security Conference that forces in Japan were seeking to “revive militarism,” while China’s foreign ministry said dialogue must be based on mutual respect.

Tourism flows had already shown strain in December, when arrivals from mainland China fell 45% to around 330,000.

In response to the disruptions, China’s main carriers – Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines – have introduced flexible policies for Japan-bound travellers. 

Passengers holding eligible tickets purchased before January 26 can change flights once without fees or request refunds, with the measures covering services from late March to October to cities including Tokyo, Osaka and Okinawa.

The move follows warnings from China’s foreign ministry and comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested her country could intervene militarily if China attempted to invade Taiwan. 

Beijing responded with a travel advisory discouraging visits to Japan and limited cultural exchanges, prompting airlines to recalibrate capacity, particularly on leisure-oriented routes.

Effects of the diplomatic fallout have already reverberated across the two Asian giants. 

Chinese arrivals to Japan fell around 45% in December to roughly 330,000 visitors compared with the previous year. Despite the drop, Japan’s tourism sector reached a record 42.7 million foreign arrivals in 2025, buoyed by travellers from other countries.

China, the world’s largest tourism market, has traditionally been Japan’s largest source of inbound tourists, with visitors spending significantly more than other nationalities. In the first nine months of 2025, almost 7.5 million Chinese tourists arrived.

The February cancellations illustrate how geopolitical friction can ripple through the travel sector, with diplomatic disputes directly impacting commercial flights and tourism flows between two of Asia’s largest economies.

The event, which took place on Sunday, January 25,  following a 24-hour delay due to rain, was broadcast live on Netflix with a strategic 10-second delay. 

This precaution was implemented so the streaming service could "cut away" if a disaster occurred. "Nobody expects or wants to see anything like that to happen," stated Netflix executive Jeff Gaspin.

Despite the life-threatening nature of the stunt, Honnold appeared characteristically calm, even waving to fans through the windows of the 89th floor. Upon reaching the summit, his first word to describe the feat was simply: "Sick". 

Reflecting on the experience, Honnold noted the conditions were challenging: "It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was, what an incredible position, what a beautiful way to see Taipei".

While the climb was a global spectacle, Honnold revealed that his compensation was "embarrassingly small" when compared to athletes in mainstream sports. Although he did not disclose the exact figure, reports suggest it was in the mid-six figures.

"I’m not gonna say. It’s an embarrassing amount," Honnold told the New York Times . "Actually, if you put it in the context of mainstream sports... Major League Baseball players get like $170 million contracts". Nevertheless, he maintained that he would have performed the climb for free if granted permission, stating, "I would do the thing because I know I can, and it’d be amazing".

A brain without fear

Honnold’s ability to remain composed in high-stakes environments has long intrigued the scientific community. A neuroscientific study led by Jane Joseph used fMRI scans to monitor his brain activity while showing him disturbing imagery. The results were startling: Honnold’s amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for the fear response, showed no activity at all.

While his amygdala is not damaged, it possesses an astronomically higher threshold for activation than the average person. This lack of response allows him to process extreme danger as ordinary. 

During the study, Honnold was indifferent to the graphic visuals, reportedly asking if they were meant to be stressful and shrugging them off with a casual, "whatever". Experts suggest this is a result of neural adaptation, where repeated exposure to risk has rewired his brain to treat high-risk environments as familiar.

Support from the ground

Watching from below was Honnold’s wife, Sanni McCandless, who has two children with the climber. While many might expect her to be overwhelmed with terror, she described a sense of "joy" once the climb began.

"I was telling someone that when you really love someone, and you think that they might be stressed, you say, ‘I wish I could take their place...’" McCandless shared in a post-climb press conference. However, in this instance, her primary thought was: "Thank God I’m not him". 

She emphasised that their partnership is built on mutual respect for his passion, noting, "You try to make decisions as a team, but you also have to respect the art behind it and the passion behind it".

Taiwan’s Vice-President, Hsiao Bi-khim, also offered congratulations, admitting on social media that the spectacle was difficult to watch: "I admit I would probably feel sick, too, barely able to watch".

This was as Beijing is expected to step up military drills around Taiwan next year, including large-scale maritime exercises and air operations near the island’s airspace.

Taiwan, which China regards as part of its territory, remains a central strategic objective for Beijing as the People’s Liberation Army approaches its 100th anniversary.

The heightened activity around Taiwan could have spillover effects across neighbouring areas, including parts of the Philippines ’ Air Defence Identification Zone, given Manila’s proximity to the island and its location along key regional sea lanes.

Mogato said a shift in control over Taiwan would significantly alter the balance of power in the western Pacific, potentially allowing China to project military force beyond what US planners describe as the first island chain. This is the area stretching from Japan through Taiwan and into the northern Philippines.

Closer to Philippine waters, Mogato identified the West Philippine Sea as another potential flashpoint in 2026, citing Scarborough Shoal and Sabina Shoal as areas where tensions could intensify amid competing patrols and operations.

For Manila, both shoals are regarded as strategic red lines. Philippine officials have warned that losing access would threaten national security, disrupt fishing livelihoods and complicate resupply missions to Philippine-held features, including the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal.

Amid the rising tensions described by Mogato, Washington has moved to strengthen defence ties with Manila. The US Congress this month approved $3.5 billion in security assistance for the Philippines under the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

The package includes $500 million a year in Foreign Military Financing from 2026 to 2031, as well as $1 billion in long-term defence loans . Despite the assistance, Philippine defence spending remains relatively low, with the defence budget set at about $5 billion next year, or less than 1% of gross domestic product.

Recent incidents underscore the volatility Mogato warned about. Philippine authorities said a Chinese frigate was detected loitering about 40 nautical miles off Capones Island in Zambales, prompting the navy to deploy warships to monitor and escort the vessel away.

Mogato said such encounters are likely to become more frequent in 2026 as the United States and China continue to test each other’s resolve, placing the Philippines in an increasingly exposed position amid intensifying regional competition.

But why does this specific island, separated from the Chinese mainland by the 130-kilometer-wide Taiwan Strait, command such an outsized influence on the global stage? To understand the gravity of the situation, we have to look at Taiwan through four distinct lenses: history, geography, economy, and technology.

A geographic and economic crossroads

Positioned at the edge of the southeastern coast of China and bordering the South China Sea, Taiwan sits at the heart of some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. This strategic location makes it an essential hub for global trade.

Despite its compact size of roughly 36,000 square kilometers, Taiwan is home to 23 million people—a population density comparable to Florida or Australia, but packed into a much smaller area. This high density has fueled an economic powerhouse; Taiwan currently ranks among the top 20 economies in the world by nominal GDP, outpacing nations like Switzerland and Sweden. With living standards comparable to Western Europe , it is a high-income economy that "punches well above its weight."

Perhaps the most critical reason for Taiwan’s global importance today is its role in the advanced semiconductor industry. Taiwan is the world's primary producer of the high-end computer chips that power everything from smartphones and electric cars to massive data centres and sophisticated military systems.

One company in particular, TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), produces chips so advanced that many of the world’s leading tech firms simply could not function without them. This "silicon shield" makes Taiwan indispensable to the modern global economy , creating a situation where any disruption to the island has immediate, catastrophic effects on technology sectors worldwide.

The view from China

While its economic and technological contributions are undeniable, the question remains: why is Taiwan so central to China’s national identity and long-term strategy?

To understand the issue, you need to understand the history. Taiwan was occupied by the Japanese as they expanded westwards at the end of the 19th century. Internal turmoil in China allowed the Japanese to expand their empire prior to and during the Second World War. The island was returned to Beijing on its defeat, but to a nationalist government engaged in a bitter civil war with its communist rival. The conclusion of that conflict saw the communists victorious but the nationalists took refuge on the island of Taiwan, with both sides claiming to be the legitimate rulers of a united China.

Initially the United Nations backed Taipei but soon switched to acknowledging the Communist Party of China as the single entity able to represent the country. Almost every other country in the world followed suit, acknowledging the One China Principle in order to establish diplomatic relations with the world's most populous nation. China focused much of its foreign policy on this goal, offering incentives to states and organisations which came on board.

In Taipei, meanwhile, where a multi-party democracy had formed, the policy has largely been to keep quiet and profit from the status quo, neither renouncing, nor demanding an independent status.

Re-enter Japan

A possibly off-the-cuff statement from Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi that her country might be forced to intervene militarily if China acted on its long-stated reunification demand caused consternation in Beijing.

Not only has Japan's military been strictly reserved for self-defence purposes, but the scars of its soldiers' behaviour in China still run deep and raw.

Takaichi declared that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which has never been ruled out, could constitute a threat to Japan. China views any action across the Taiwan Strait as a domestic matter on which international powers should have strictly no say.

The fallout has had huge economic consequences for Japanese businesses, given the size of the Chinese market. But it also risks having longer term strategic consequences, with America announcing more than $10billion of new arms sales to Taiwan.

Looking forward

While insisting its goal is peaceful reunification, Beijing has been careful to keep its options open regarding its approach to Taiwan. It has avoided any timeframes but responded angrily to any dissent to its world view from Taipei. The prospect of a conflict which could see the world's two superpowers confronting each other for the first time in decades is one which strikes fear into politicians, businesses and hundreds of millions of ordinary people.

Click here to watch our previous episodes

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

“The US is aiding ‘Taiwan independence’ with military force, and this will only backfire,” Guo said. “Using Taiwan to contain China will absolutely not succeed.”

Guo added that the arms sale undermines China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and sends what he described as a “seriously wrong signal” to pro-independence forces in Taiwan. He warned that such actions increase the risk of instability in the region.

The arms package, announced by the US State Department on Thursday, includes advanced weapons systems and related support services aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s defensive capabilities amid rising cross-strait tensions.

The approval comes as military activity around Taiwan has intensified, with China conducting frequent air and naval patrols near the island. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed any form of military cooperation between Taipei and Washington.

According to the source , Tokyo was informed of the cancellations shortly after Beijing launched retaliatory measures over Takaichi’s November 7 remarks, in which she suggested Japan could deploy military forces in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait. 

“Usually, November and December are the season for youth exchanges, but now they have all been called off,” the source said.

The freeze comes as Beijing intensifies pressure on Tokyo to force Takaichi to retract her statement, which she has refused to do. 

China has advised its citizens against travelling to Japan and urged students to reconsider studying there, citing safety concerns. It has also postponed planned diplomatic meetings, including a trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea that Tokyo was due to host.

The disruption is already affecting scheduled school visits. 

Earlier this month, 16 students and teachers from Wuxi in Jiangsu province cancelled a sister-city trip to Sagamihara in Kanagawa prefecture, according to Japanese officials. 

In Okinawa, education authorities said Chinese partners had abruptly scrapped a two-week language and cultural exchange to Shanghai for 20 high school students set to begin this weekend.

Scholars say the halt risks deepening hostility between the two countries at a time when ties are strained by territorial disputes in the East China Sea and Tokyo’s closer alignment with Washington to counter China. 

Shin Kawashima, an international relations professor at the University of Tokyo, described the suspension as worrying, warning that youth exchanges had long been seen as crucial stabilising tools when diplomacy faltered.

Earlier in November, Takaichi said Japan could consider deploying military forces if conflict erupted in the Taiwan Strait, arguing that instability around Taiwan — which lies close to Japan’s southwestern islands — would directly threaten Japan’s security . 

Beijing condemned the comments as a violation of its “one-China” principle and an attempt to interfere in its internal affairs, demanding a public retraction. 

Takaichi has since maintained that her remarks were consistent with Japan’s national security policy.

"What China and the international community demand confirmation of is: what exactly is Japan's so-called 'consistent position'? Does Japan still adhere to the One-China principle? Japan should honestly, accurately, and completely explain its so-called 'consistent position.' Brushing it off with vague words, avoiding the real issue, and hoping to get away with it simply won’t work," spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing.

The remarks were made following the Japanese government's reaffirmation that there is no change in its position on what constitutes a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. The clarification came in a written response approved during a Cabinet meeting. The reply addressed an inquiry from an opposition lawmaker regarding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s earlier comments about Taiwan.

China recently advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan. This recommendation was issued in response to perceived threats made by Prime Minister Takaichi, who suggested that Japan might consider deploying forces if China were to attack Taiwan.

“This development is extremely dangerous and warrants high vigilance from neighbouring countries and the international community,” Mao warned.

She argued that Japanese political factions are deliberately pushing beyond the limits of the nation’s post-war Peace Constitution.

“Japanese right-wing forces are striving to break free from the constraints of the Peace Constitution, venturing further down the path of militarism and reckless expansion, leading Japan and the region towards disaster,” she said.

China also confirmed it has postponed a planned trilateral summit between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), saying the political conditions required for the meeting have collapsed.

Mao pointed to recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan as a major contributing factor.

“Japanese leaders have openly made erroneous remarks on the Taiwan issue, undermining the foundation and atmosphere for trilateral cooperation,” she stated. “The conditions for holding the Leaders’ Meeting are currently unfeasible.”

Beijing signalled it will now take the issue to the United Nations , accusing Japan of undermining the One-China principle.

“If Japan merely repeats that its position has not changed while remaining vague on specifics, and continuously oversteps boundaries in its actions, then such reiteration is nothing but empty words,” Mao said.

The diplomatic row has already seeped into daily life, prompting travel warnings and leading to thousands of cancelled flights on both sides as relations deteriorate further.

Mao criticised Tokyo’s recent comments and actions related to Taiwan, saying Japan should not “say one thing and do another.”

“If the Japanese government's stance on Taiwan truly remains unchanged, its leaders should not link the so-called ‘existential crisis situation’ to the Taiwan issue,” she said. “Merely stating that the position remains unchanged while crossing red lines in practice will not resolve China’s concerns.”

Tensions rose further on Thursday after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te posted a photo of a Japanese-sourced sushi lunch on social media , widely interpreted as a gesture of solidarity with Japan in its current dispute with Beijing.

“Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. It is an inalienable part of China’s territory. No amount of posturing by the Lai Ching-te administration can alter this immutable fact,” Mao responded.

The rift has also affected regional cooperation. China has informed South Korea that it will postpone a trilateral meeting of culture ministers with Japan scheduled for this month.

Mao accused Tokyo of “challenging the post-war international order,” making the China-Japan-South Korea meeting “temporarily unfeasible.”

“These actions pose compound threats to all parties in the region and continue to heighten tensions,” Liu said. “We call on Beijing to shoulder the responsibilities of a major power and cease actions that endanger regional stability and security .”

Liu noted that the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association remains in close communication, suggesting ongoing diplomatic engagement between Taipei and Tokyo.

The statement followed recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who told parliament that Japan’s military could intervene if China attacked Taiwan. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has demanded a retraction and urged Japan to respect the foundations of Sino-Japanese relations.

China renewed its hardline narrative on Taiwan, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson stating unequivocally that “Taiwan is China’s Taiwan” and that reunification “must” be achieved. The spokesperson stressed that reunification was an irreversible historical trend and a “core national priority,” signalling Beijing’s frustration with what it sees as growing international engagement with Taipei—particularly from Japan and the United States. This message was delivered during a routine press briefing but carried a heightened tone, reflecting China’s ongoing sensitivity ahead of several key political anniversaries and its concerns about foreign “interference” in cross-strait affairs.

PM Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan

Beijing formally summoned Japan’s envoy to protest Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks suggesting that instability in the Taiwan Strait could pose an existential threat to Japan’s security. China described the comments as “dangerous” and “irresponsible,” accusing Tokyo of deliberately inflaming tensions. Officials warned Japan to avoid “sending wrong signals” to Taiwan’s authorities, and reiterated that the Taiwan issue is strictly China’s internal affair. This marks one of the strongest diplomatic rebukes China has delivered to Japan this year.

Bilingual warnings on X

In an unusual move, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson posted a series of bilingual warnings on X (Twitter), urging Japan to immediately “stop playing with fire on the Taiwan question.” The use of bilingual posts — including English and Japanese — signals an effort to bypass traditional diplomatic channels and speak directly to Japanese audiences and the global public. State media outlets amplified the posts, framing Japan as escalating regional tensions and challenging China’s sovereignty. Analysts say the messaging style mirrors China’s more confrontational “Wolf Warrior” diplomacy, which has become a hallmark of its foreign policy communication.

China summons Japanese Ambassador

In a separate move, China summoned Japan’s ambassador for a second high-level protest within days. Beijing criticised Takaichi’s Taiwan-related comments as “erroneous,” “provocative,” and a violation of Japan’s post-war commitments. According to CGTN , Chinese officials issued “serious démarches,” demanding that Japan “correct its mistakes” and refrain from actions that “harm China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The frequency of the summonses reflects heightened diplomatic friction and Beijing’s growing impatience with Tokyo’s evolving security posture.

China warns Japan

China once again cautioned Japan against misjudging its determination to defend its territorial claims, warning that any interference in the Taiwan question would be met with firm countermeasures. State-run Global Times reported that Chinese officials emphasised the Taiwan issue as the “first red line” in China–Japan relations. The commentary warned Japan not to “repeat historical mistakes”, a pointed reference to Japan’s WWII-era involvement in the region. Analysts say this narrative plays well domestically, aligning with nationalist sentiment ahead of major political events and reinforcing China’s claim that foreign powers are attempting to undermine its sovereignty.

“China firmly opposes and will not tolerate this. Japan must immediately rectify its position and retract these egregious remarks. Otherwise, it must bear all consequences,” Lin warned.

He questioned Tokyo’s motives, accusing Takaichi of reviving dangerous rhetoric from Japan’s past as a militarist nation.

“What are the true intentions behind Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s renewed mention of a so-called ‘existential crisis’? Does she seek to repeat the mistakes of militarism? Does she wish to antagonise the Chinese and Asian peoples once more? Does she intend to subvert the post-war international order?” he said.

Lin reiterated Beijing’s fierce opposition to any Japanese involvement in the Taiwan Strait, reacting to Takaichi’s recent meeting with a Taiwanese representative.

“Should Japan dare to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait situation, it would constitute an act of aggression, and China will strike back decisively. Those who play with fire will inevitably burn themselves,” he said.

The wanted notice names Pa Chiung and Chen Po-yuan, a rapper known by his stage name Mannam PYC. Police in Quanzhou, a city facing Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait, said the two had long been “publishing and inciting separatist views.”

Authorities said anyone who helps capture the men could receive a reward of up to 250,000 yuan ($35,098).

Both influencers dismissed the accusations in posts on their Threads accounts. “I stand up for myself. The greater the wind , the more stable I am,” Chen wrote.

Pa Chiung said he learned about the news after waking up. “So it seems I have become Puma Shen,” he added, referring to the Taiwanese lawmaker China began investigating last month for alleged “separatist” activity.

Chen and Pa are known for their criticism of China. Taiwan’s government said Beijing is spreading “red terror,” referring to the ruling Communist Party’s colour, and using “long-armed jurisdiction” to accuse Taiwanese citizens of “separatism.”

Shen, who was in Berlin on Wednesday to testify at a German parliament hearing on disinformation, said China was threatening to have him arrested abroad but that he was not afraid. “China has long sought to silence the people of Taiwan through intimidation. I want to tell everyone that, as brave Taiwanese, we will not back down because of this,” he said.

Taiwan’s government has rejected China’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.

His remarks followed a diplomatic protest by the Mission of China to the European Union , which accused the European Parliament of hosting individuals advocating Taiwan’s independence—an act Beijing described as a serious violation of China’s sovereignty.

Cuba’s declaration reflects its longstanding alignment with Beijing’s foreign policy and underscores the continuing global resonance of the “One China” principle. The position also points to the growing influence of China’s diplomatic reach, as countries and institutions around the world navigate their stances on the Taiwan issue.

Viewed in a broader international context, this episode highlights how tensions surrounding Taiwan extend well beyond East Asia , involving states such as Cuba and regional bodies like the European Parliament. It also illustrates how modern diplomacy increasingly unfolds in the digital space, where public statements and social-media messages serve as tools of foreign policy.

At the heart of the collaboration is a joint project targeting key regions such as the Maribaroux Plain, Saint Raphael Valley and the Cayes–Torbeck area. Through the initiative, Haitian farmers will receive modern seeds, affordable fertilisers and access to collecting and processing machinery — upgrades that aim to triple output in fertile zones impacted by decades of instability.

Beyond immediate gains in productivity, Taiwan’s involvement underscores a broader diplomatic strategy. With Haiti one of the few Caribbean nations formally recognising Taiwan, this partnership reinforces Taipei’s role in international development and global agricultural innovation. Taiwan is not only providing equipment and training but also advancing its global standing as a partner of choice for sustainable growth.

For Haiti, the stakes are high. The country has long been challenged by political turbulence, natural disasters and chronic underinvestment in farming infrastructure. By aligning with a technologically sophisticated partner like Taiwan, Haiti hopes to break this cycle, enhance food sovereignty and reduce reliance on imports and emergency relief.

The alliance sets a precedent for how small nations and mid-sized states can collaborate to tackle global issues such as hunger, climate resilience and equitable trade. As Taiwan and Haiti move forward, their relationship sends a message: agricultural development is not simply local, but an integral part of international diplomacy and economic stability.

By Friday, however, the restrictions were withdrawn. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Pretoria had agreed to hold talks on the issue. At the same time, analysts suggested Taipei acted to avoid politicising chip trade in ways that could damage trust in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world ’s largest contract chipmaker and a linchpin of global electronics.

South Africa’s foreign ministry accused Taiwan of trying to “disrupt the stability of the global supply chain.” Analysts warn that while the immediate impact on South Africa’s tech sector is limited, its auto industry, heavily reliant on imported chips, could be exposed if tensions flare again.

“The message from Taiwan is that South Africa should remember they have substantial power over semiconductors,” said Menzi Ndhlovu, senior analyst at Signal Risk in Cape Town. Trade volumes are modest, with Taiwan being South Africa’s 25th-largest partner, but highly strategic, with few substitutes available.

The Centre for Risk Analysis in Johannesburg estimates that Taiwanese entrepreneurs own more than 450 factories in South Africa, employing about 40,000 people .

The flare-up comes as South Africa navigates fraught foreign relations, including worsening ties with Washington. Analysts warn that inconsistent diplomacy could jeopardise access to key trade agreements such as the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), while deterring foreign investment.

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has long pressed African allies to downgrade or sever relations with Taipei. The episode highlights how Beijing’s pressure campaigns and Taiwan’s semiconductor dominance are converging to shape not only Asian geopolitics but also African economies.

“The US allowed Lin Chia-lung to visit New York during the UN General Assembly, providing a stage for the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces to engage in separatist provocations and to attract public attention. This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques,” Guo said.

He added that Beijing expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition”, warning Washington that it was sending a “seriously wrong signal” to pro-independence forces on the island.

The spokesperson also delivered a pointed message to Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), saying attempts to pursue independence would backfire. 

“Those who engage in injustice will bring about their downfall, and any provocation for ‘independence’ will only end up shooting themselves in the foot,” he said.

Guo urged Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies not to be “manipulated and exploited” by Taipei, insisting that recognition of the one-China principle reflected “the general trend and the will of the people ”.

Lin’s trip coincided with the UNGA’s high-level week, when world leaders gather in New York to present their national positions. Ahead of his visit, the Taiwanese foreign minister published an opinion piece in Newsmax urging the world body to recognise Taiwan and grant it greater international space.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any form of official contact between the island and the United States. Washington recognises Beijing diplomatically but maintains robust unofficial ties with Taipei, including defence cooperation and political engagement.

The controversy comes as Washington faces criticism for blocking Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly in person. The US State Department revoked his visa along with those of more than 80 Palestinian officials, citing national security concerns.

In response, the General Assembly voted to allow Abbas to deliver a prerecorded statement to its annual session by video link. 

Super Typhoon Ragasa has struck one of the world’s most populated regions. It has left destruction in its path and tragically taken more than a dozen lives. Yet perhaps the biggest surprise is that the damage wasn’t worse. Here’s why.

What is a typhoon?

Typhoon, cyclone, hurricane – these words all describe the same phenomenon. The difference lies in geography and language. In the northwest Pacific Ocean, it’s a typhoon . In the Indian Ocean or southern hemisphere, it’s a cyclone . Along the US coasts, it’s a hurricane .

All are giant storms formed when warm ocean water evaporates and rises, pulling in surrounding air. As the Earth rotates, the Coriolis effect causes this system to spin. These storms can stretch 1,000 kilometres across. In the northern hemisphere they rotate counterclockwise; in the southern, clockwise.

Contrary to myth, the Coriolis effect doesn’t dictate how water swirls down your sink—but it does govern the spin of these colossal storms.

When does a typhoon become 'super'?

Different regions measure storm strength in different ways. In the US, hurricanes are ranked from Category 1 (winds of 119 km/h) to Category 5 (over 252 km/h—the speed of a Formula 1 car).

In the Pacific, storms graduate from tropical storms (below 88 km/h) to typhoons (above 118 km/h). A super typhoon is the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, with winds over 240 km/h. That’s exactly what Ragasa became.

Many names

Naming storms helps authorities communicate more clearly and makes them more relatable as real threats. But names differ from place to place.

So one storm can have multiple names, depending on where you are.

Tracking Ragasa

Ragasa was first identified on September 17, upgraded to a tropical storm the next day, then almost immediately into a typhoon and super typhoon. On September 21, it struck Panuitan Island in the northern Philippines before moving towards southern China.

The storm’s toll included three deaths in the Philippines and fourteen in Taiwan, where a lake overflowed.

China’s Massive Evacuation Effort

The storm then struck Guangdong province, one of the most densely populated regions on Earth. The area includes:

Incredibly, nearly two million people were evacuated in a matter of days. That’s the equivalent of relocating the entire population of Vienna, Caracas, or Algiers almost overnight.

China managed this through a mix of extensive public services, door-to-door communication, robust transport networks, and a population that generally follows evacuation orders. This avoided the chaos often seen when people wait until the last minute to flee.

One community worker explained:

"At the early stages, we encouraged residents to make basic preparations, such as getting ready for evacuation, reinforcing doors and windows, and securing any loose items on their balconies."

And his example was followed by thousands of others visiting home after home.

For those without safe homes or relatives to shelter them, public facilities were converted into emergency shelters. In Shenzhen, some evacuees found themselves in school halls—simple accommodation with shared toilets, breakfast included, but little privacy or comfort. While Chinese media tends to highlight only the positive side of these operations, the sheer scale of the effort—2 million people relocated in days—remains extraordinary.

When Systems Work

Nature unleashed its full force: winds as fast as Formula 1 cars, storm surges, and rainfall measured in months delivered in hours. For those caught in floods in Taiwan and the Philippines, the results were deadly. Yet in the mega-cities of southern China, human systems held.

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

Taiwan’s labour market now faces both immediate and long-term pressures as older generations retire and fewer young people enter the workforce.

The first wave of retirees comes from the cohort born between 1958 and 1966, when 3.78 million births were recorded. This group began entering retirement in 2023, triggering a contraction in the labour force.

A second wave, expected in about 16 years, will include those born between 1976 and 1982, when 2.89 million births occurred, the Ministry said. Together, these two groups will reduce the working-age population by 6.67 million.

The demographic strain is compounded by persistently low birth rates, with fewer than 1.6 million people entering the workforce compared with more than 2 million retiring. “Working-age youths” were defined as individuals aged 15 and older, according to the ministry.

Older Taiwanese have low participation in the labour market, with only 10% of those aged 65 and above remaining employed, compared with 25 to 35% in South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Younger workers are also slower to enter the workforce, as labour force participation among those aged 15 to 29 is only 38%, well below the 60% seen in Europe and the US.

A Ministry of Labour study noted that more than 196,000 university and college graduates have yet to register for labour insurance, excluding those serving in the military, working abroad, or farming. Suggesting that many young Taiwanese are struggling to find employment or remain inactive at home.

According to United Nations data, the number of people aged 65 or older worldwide is expected to more than double from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050. The population aged 80 and above is growing at an even faster rate. In 2021, one in ten people globally was aged 65 or older; by 2050, that figure is projected to rise to one in six.

Just days ago, Japan, the country with the oldest population, reported a record number of centenarians, with 99,763 people aged 100 or older as of September 1. This marked the 55th consecutive annual increase. 

Northern Africa , Western Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa are projected to record the fastest growth in older populations over the next three decades, the UN said.

Taiwan’s total population has been shrinking for 19 consecutive months. At the end of July, government data showed the population stood at 23,337,936, down 8,805 from June and 71,387 from a year earlier.

Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire under threat as Sahel insurgencies creep south: Eigenrac analysis

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With another referendum off the table for at least two years, questions now turn to what role nuclear power could play in import-dependent Taiwan, an island still grappling with the threat of a Chinese blockade.

For nuclear energy researcher Suleyman Turkes, the way forward lies in international partnerships.

“The way forward for Taiwan should start with cooperation, agreements on SMR (small modular reactor) technology, and Generation III reactors with big international companies, like the United States, France, South Korea, and Japan,” said Turkes, who studies nuclear energy and energy policies at Turkey’s Academic Research Institute (Akademik Araştırma Enstitüsü).

“This partnership will bring not only reactors, but also the transfer of safety culture and operational standards,” he told Global South World . 

Turkes outlined a three-step roadmap he believes could guide Taiwan’s nuclear future: first, revive decommissioned reactors; second, work with foreign partners to build new plants; and third, develop local expertise to design Taiwan’s own next-generation reactors.

He noted that jointly built facilities could be completed faster, a key advantage if Taiwan decides to quickly scale back on energy imports, which currently shoulder roughly 98% of its consumption. 

In the meantime, he suggested reviving Maanshan and other previously decommissioned reactors to serve as a “bridge” between old and new facilities for up to two more decades.

Over the longer term, Turkes said Taiwan must invest in its own academic institutions and researchers to sustain nuclear capacity.

“Taiwan must also think of its own capacity, its own nuclear know-how,” he said. “Because if you only use foreign technology, maybe you solve today's problem, but not tomorrow’s.”

“Universities should expand their nuclear program, and new research and development centres must come. Young engineers should also join international projects,” he added.

Although critics argue that nuclear power only contributes around 5% of Taiwan’s energy mix, Turkes said the impact of completely abandoning it would go far beyond that figure.

“That 5% share from nuclear will not only be replaced by fossil fuels, but it can only be replaced by imported fossil fuels. And this means Taiwan will move away from net zero, more exposed to global price change, and under more political pressure from suppliers,” he said.

“Losing nuclear is just not losing 5%. It's losing competitiveness, losing stability, losing also the credibility of climate commitments.”

While recognising Taiwan’s potential to expand renewable energy such as solar and wind, Turkes stressed that these could only operate at a supporting capacity due to storage and reliability issues.

Nuclear, he argued, can deliver the same output with far greater stability.

“The best way for Taiwan's energy security is nuclear,” he said. “Nuclear not only reduces fossil dependence, it's the backbone of the system.”

Incumbent Philippine President Marcos Jr., son of the Philippine dictator who signed the 1975 communique, has continued this policy. Despite his own qualms about Beijing in the West Philippine Sea, his administration has repeatedly stressed that Manila does not recognise Taiwan’s independence .

On August 28, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro reiterated the government’s position before a Senate hearing, saying that while the Philippines is for peace and dialogue, it recognises only one, sole, and legal government of China.

“The Filipino people have long-standing relations with the Taiwanese people, and we therefore benefit from continued engagement with them,” Lazaro said. “But, just to add a little bit more, we do not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state.”

Lazaro, who described her office as a “guardian and steward” of the One-China policy, made the remarks amid renewed debate over how Manila might respond if conflict breaks out in the Taiwan Strait. 

Earlier this month, Marcos Jr. warned that the Philippines would inevitably be pulled “kicking and screaming” into a war between the U.S. and China over Taiwan . The comment that drew the ire of Beijing, which accused him of “playing with fire.” 

With Manila’s firm adherence to the One-China principle on one hand and its defence alliance with Washington on the other, questions are growing over whether the Philippines would defend Taiwan in the event of conflict.

Veteran defence journalist Manny Mogato believes the Philippines’ neutrality is unlikely. 

In an August 13 interview with Global South World, Mogato cited three reasons why the Philippines would likely side with Washington if it intervened to protect Taiwan from a Chinese invasion — or, in Beijing’s words, a “reunification.” 

First is geography. The Philippines sits about 1,200 kilometres south of Taiwan, directly along potential conflict routes in the South China Sea, inevitably drawing it into air and maritime operations simply by virtue of its location.

Second is the country’s 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty with the U.S., which predates the 1975 pact with Beijing. The treaty obliges Manila to come to Washington’s aid if U.S. forces are attacked in the Pacific, a scenario that could extend to a war over Taiwan.

How would this play out, considering the Philippines is constrained by its limited military capabilities? Mogato said Manila’s role would likely be logistical rather than combat-focused.

“Of course, we cannot send troops. We cannot send the Air Force and Navy ships because we don't have that capability. But we can support through logistics,” he said. “They can refuel here, store their armaments, or use this as a staging point — that will be the Philippines’ use.” 

Third is the presence of U.S. forces on Philippine soil. There are nine Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites across the country: five in Luzon, one in the Visayas, and three in Mindanao. 

These facilities host joint exercises, preposition supplies, and enhance U.S. access to Philippine bases.

Mogato warned that these sites could become targets in a regional conflict.

“On these three grounds, even if the Philippines doesn’t want to, it will inevitably be drawn into conflict,” he said. “It’s impossible that we don’t get involved in this trouble.”

For now, as Marcos Jr. hopes for cooler heads to prevail over Taiwan, he has also recognised the need to prepare for all eventualities, especially considering the almost 200,000 overseas Filipino workers on the island.

Saturday’s outcome effectively seals the phaseout of nuclear power on the island, once a cornerstone of its electricity mix, and fulfils the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s pledge to create a “nuclear-free homeland.” 

What happens next remains uncertain. For some analysts, the strong but insufficient support for nuclear power could prompt policymakers to rethink their hardline stance.

“The result sends a very strong signal to the government that more Taiwanese people, in fact, are not in favour of the government's current stance of completely ruling out nuclear power as one of the sources of energy for Taiwan,” William Hao-Wei Yang, a Taiwanese analyst with the International Crisis Group, told Global South World .

“This result has already pushed the government to come out and positively respond to the more than 4.3 million Taiwanese people's votes,” he added. “I believe that this could lead to further reconsideration for the ruling party regarding its longstanding opposition to nuclear power.”

Turnout, more than the arguments from the anti-nuclear camp, proved decisive in the referendum. Only about a quarter of Taiwan’s nearly 20 million eligible voters cast their ballots, leading to the sub-threshold result.

Yang argues that limited public engagement stemmed from poor communication and a lack of emphasis from political leaders.

“This issue hasn't really been the defining topic that has mobilised a large number of Taiwanese people to come out and participate in voting,” he said. “Neither the opposition parties nor the ruling party has put enough emphasis on this particular topic.”

“This remains an issue that needs more public discussion and perhaps more, you know, grassroots level public education so that Taiwanese people have a broader understanding about where they might want to stand on this particular issue going forward,” he added. 

Nuclear not gone for good

Doing away with nuclear power has long been a signature promise of the Democratic Progressive Party, giving the August referendum undeniable political undertones.

“In Taiwan, relevant conversations oftentimes become too politicised, and that overshadows the necessary scientific factors and elements that should be included in the discussion and debate," Yang said.

While the outcome bolstered the party’s credibility in pursuing its “nuclear-free homeland” policy, it also exposed growing unease with its uncompromising stance, according to Yang.

“(Saturday’s) outcome means more than just their energy policy,” he said. “(It reflects the) public's discontent with the approach that the ruling party has adopted since President Lai Ching-te came to power in May 2024,” 

“I think we might in fact see a fundamental shift — or at least an adjustment — from the ruling party when it comes to their policies on energy,” he added. “It could set off a re-evaluation within the ruling party about the validity of its political slogan (nuclear-free homeland).”

After the vote, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, a staunch opponent of nuclear power, acknowledged what he called “society’s expectations for diverse energy options.”

"If in the future, the technology becomes safer, nuclear waste is reduced, and societal acceptance increases, we will not rule out advanced nuclear energy," he told reporters on Saturday.

That tentative opening could leave a path forward for nuclear power in Taiwan, Yang noted.

“Based on the consensus and the government's positive response to the outcome, it could probably help find that path for civil society, but also Taiwan as a whole, to move forward when it comes to resolving the current dilemma that Taiwan faces when it comes to improving energy resilienc in a scientific and safe way,” the analyst said.

A path forward

Debates over nuclear power in Taiwan have largely focused on health concerns, energy security, and the economy, and arguments for nuclear power have mostly centred on restarting decades-old plants . 

Pro-nuclear groups often point to Taiwan’s reliance on imports for about 98% of its energy, a vulnerability for the world’s leading semiconductor maker. Before its shutdown, nuclear power provided about 5.3% of the island’s electricity supply.

Yang warned that without a serious policy rethink, this dependence will persist.

“Before the government really adjusts its energy policy and makes a public commitment to pursue advanced nuclear-based energy solutions, Taiwan, unfortunately, will continue to have to rely on 98% of its energy imported from abroad,” he said. 

Yang also underscored the need for a more nuanced approach to Taiwan’s energy problems.

“At this point, the majority of the Taiwanese public's understanding about different types of nuclear energy solutions remains very limited, and that is not going to help push relevant conversations forward,” he said. 

“The government will have to genuinely consider taking the initiative to organise nationwide local-level information sessions to raise public awareness about relevant issues, and then that can lead to a better-informed public and also a better-informed policymaking process.” 

While Saturday’s referendum failed to overturn the standing nuclear-free homeland policy, Yang believes it could mark the beginning of a broader discussion in Taiwan. 

“I think it will accelerate the domestic discussion, and it really sends a sense of urgency that will push politicians, both the government but also lawmakers in the parliament, to try to come together and determine a path forward for maintaining Taiwan's energy resilience and at the same time ensuring its ability to provide a stable energy supply.”

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“I do believe that the decision of not continuing that decades-old power plant for the safety risk reasons and the sustainability reasons, and also the nuclear waste processing issues are valid,” Yang told Global South World.  

Bringing an ageing facility back online is not a long-term solution, he added. 

“When it comes back to the particular issue of whether restarting a decommissioned nuclear power plant is the solution or not, I hold some doubt against the argument that restarting that should be the primary solution that Taiwan needs to consider.”

Taiwan once operated three nuclear facilities with six total reactors, but the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) pledged to phase out nuclear power after coming to office in 2016.

The Chinshan plant, the country’s first, saw its two reactors closed in December 2018 and July 2019. At the Kuosheng site, the first unit was expected to run until late 2021 but was shut down months earlier because of limited storage space for spent fuel, while the second unit ceased operation in March 2023.

Work on the Lungmen power station, launched in 1999, was repeatedly delayed by political and legal disputes. Unit 1 was placed in long-term storage in 2015, while construction of Unit 2 was halted the year before.

Yang said Saturday’s referendum would be critical both to Taiwan’s future energy resilience and the Democratic Progressive Party’s promise of a nuclear-free homeland .

“The current government's legitimacy and credibility as an advocate for a nuclear-free Taiwan hinges on the outcome of this referendum,” he said. “But of course, I think there are other realistic steps that will be taken before an actual restart of the nuclear power plant.” 

“It's not a very easy process to just say if the referendum's outcome favours restarting the nuclear power plan, then that would then immediately lead to the restart of that power plant,” Yang added. 

Dependence on imports

Another factor shaping the debate is Taiwan’s reliance on imported energy, which accounts for more than 97% of supply. 

Pro-nuclear groups argue this leaves the island vulnerable to global market shifts and geopolitical risks.

“That (importing) would basically force the country to be in a vulnerable position if the supply gets disrupted by commercial reasons or there are disputes between Taiwan and the source of the country that it usually imports those energy sources,” Yang said. 

“If one day China decided to disrupt the shipping of those energy sources into Taiwan, then that would suddenly make Taiwan very vulnerable and exposed,” he added. 

Concerns about a potential Chinese blockade, however, were unlikely to weigh heavily on voters in this referendum, according to Yang. 

“If Taiwan is able to ensure its imported energy supply remains steady, and also ensures that it has the ability to try to deal with potential challenges that could disrupt these energy import schedules, then whether to restart the nuclear power plant or not will have little to do with Taiwan's current status or state of energy supply.”

Saturday’s vote will also be crucial to Taiwan’s flagship semiconductor industry. 

As the world’s biggest manufacturer of advanced chips, the country’s Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) alone accounts for about 8% of total usage, a figure projected to rise to 24% by 2030.

“As Taiwan continues to attract more high-end semiconductor chip manufacturing and tries to increase its pivot toward the AI chip production becoming a hub, the energy supply, both the stability of that and also the sustainability, has come into question,” Yang said. 

Looking beyond the referendum, Yang said Taiwan must prepare for the future rather than the past. 

“In order for Taiwan to become more resilient, it is necessary to consider other, much safer and more advanced and developed new power that might involve some type of safer nuclear source,” he said.

“What I see from the majority of people is [that this issue is] primarily a health concern,” Ouillet, a radio show host and documentarist, said. “A lot of people who oppose nuclear power are afraid precisely of the adverse effect it would have on health, even without a disaster.” 

Maanshan’s second reactor was shut down in May 2025, four decades after it began operating in 1985. Its first reactor was turned off in 2024 under the “nuclear-free homeland” policy announced by the Democratic Progressive Party in 2016.

Studies on nuclear power and health outcomes remain mixed.

A National Library of Medicine-published study covering 175 nuclear power plants in 17 countries found differing cancer risks between workers and nearby residents. 

Data from more than 480,000 workers and 7.5 million residents showed workers had lower overall cancer risk but higher rates of mesothelioma – a rare type of cancer —while residents faced increased risks of all cancers, thyroid cancer, and leukaemia. 

A Taiwan-specific study , also published in the National Library of Medicine, found no significant differences in leukaemia, thyroid, lung, or breast cancers among populations living near nuclear plants. 

Cervical cancer rates were higher in plant-vicinity areas, though researchers said this was not consistently tied to plant operations.

Still, even the suggestion of health risks is enough to fuel voter anxiety, Oeuillet said.

“The mere possibility that maybe nuclear can be adverse to their health is immediately something that creates a very big reaction, perhaps even more than other countries, he added. “This country is specifically concerned about the quality of health, so anything that can touch health immediately creates a strong reaction.”

China factor ‘overblown’

The referendum comes as tensions with China escalate and the year 2027 approaches — a date U.S. military officials have warned could mark Beijing’s deadline for “reunifying” with the self-ruled island. 

Some analysts argue that abandoning nuclear energy could increase Taiwan’s vulnerability to a Chinese invasion by making its power supply more fragile and incapable of surviving a military blockade.

But Oeuillet said the China angle is exaggerated, especially in foreign coverage, and does not reflect how the Taiwanese view the issue.

“We have to be careful about what is said outside of Taiwan and the way people feel inside Taiwan,” he said. 

“[China] has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with this, but it has become difficult to talk about Taiwan without necessarily putting this in the equation,” he added. “The vast majority of people absolutely do not have China in mind when they decide whether they want nuclear power or not.”

According to the International Energy Agency, only 5.3% of Taiwan’s electricity currently comes from nuclear power. Fossil fuels remain the most dominant power source, with coal providing 34.6% and oil 34.2%.

While the referendum is significant, Oeuillet said it would not fundamentally impact Taiwan’s energy landscape.

“It is important enough to discuss it, to decide whether we want it or not, but it's not going to be a revolution,” he said.

“The question is, more or less, the same as any other country — is nuclear efficient or is it dangerous, with the added risk of this place being prone to earthquakes and typhoons. But otherwise the same debate could exist in Japan, in Europe, in America, or in any country where nuclear power is a possibility.”

Nuclear-free 2025?

Voters will be asked on Saturday whether they agree that the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operation upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.

For the proposal to pass, "agree" votes must exceed "disagree" votes and make up at least one-quarter of Taiwan’s 5 million eligible voters. If rejected, the same question cannot be raised again for two years.

If the referendum succeeds in ending Maanshan’s operations, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party will also achieve its long-stated goal of creating a “nuclear-free homeland” by 2025

Regardless of the outcome, Oeuillet expects strong participation.

“People like to vote in this country, really. People really like to debate and to argue on topics.”

The power plant located in Pingtung County's Hengchun Township, in southern Taiwan, began operations in 1985. It was one of three operational nuclear sites in Taiwan, which started building nuclear plants in the 1970s.

In 1985, after Maanshan came online, nuclear power accounted for a significant 52.4% of the island's electricity generation.

Key points about the referendum

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) proposed the referendum on April 18, with support from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and it is seen by some as a "direct-democracy counteroffensive" by the KMT after a mass recall vote, where voters are allowed to remove elected officials from office, which threatened their parliamentary majority. Allegations were made that the KMT had close ties to China.

The referendum will specifically ask voters if they agree that the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operation upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.

Arguments for restarting

Supporters of the referendum, including TPP and KMT, argue that nuclear power provides stable electricity with low carbon emissions, unlike weather-dependent solar and wind. They highlight Taiwan's reliance on imported fossil fuels and potential national security risks in the event of a Chinese blockade. The semiconductor industry, a world leader in Taiwan, requires large amounts of stable electricity, and there have been recent power outages.

Arguments against restarting 

Opponents, such as the National Nuclear Abolition Action Platform and the Pingtung County government, warn of seismic risks due to the plant's location near a fault line above the Manila Trench, an area with a high earthquake risk. They also cite unresolved nuclear waste issues and the high cost of extending operations. Opponents also argue that the decommissioning of the plant reflected social consensus and that the sudden referendum challenges procedural justice and local rights.

Nuclear phase-out plan

The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant’s second reactor (Maanshan-2) was shut down in May 2025, after 40 years of service. Its first reactor was turned off in 2024. This shutdown was in line with the "nuclear-free homeland" policy announced in 2016 by the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Following the decommissioning of Chinshan in 2019 and Kuosheng in 2022, Maanshan was Taiwan's last nuclear power plant reactor to be shut down. As of May 2025, none of Taiwan's energy is generated domestically using nuclear power.

Historical context

While Taiwan once relied on nuclear power for over half its electricity in the 1980s, this share fell to about 6% in 2023. Anti-nuclear sentiment grew after events like the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which led to significant public opposition and protests. 

Previous nuclear-related referendums include a 2018 proposal on using nuclear to support green energy, which passed, and a 2021 proposal on "restarting the Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant", which failed.

Threshold for passage

For the proposal to pass , "agree" votes must exceed "disagree" votes and make up at least one-quarter of Taiwan’s 5 million eligible voters. If rejected, the same question cannot be raised again for two years.

“These chips are being used by the US commercially and in the military,” Manny Mogato, a veteran defence journalist from the Philippines, told Global South World. “If China invades Taiwan, America will lose its main source of semiconductors.”

Semiconductors are tiny but essential components in nearly everything modern — from smartphones, cars, and even military equipment like fighter jets and ballistic defence missile systems. 

Taiwan accounts for roughly 90% of the world’s cutting-edge chip production, earning it the nickname “Silicon Island,” a nod to California ’s Silicon Valley. Approximately 44.2% of US logic chip imports come from Taiwan, and TSMC alone supplies key components to Apple, Nvidia, and countless other tech giants.

The global dependence is so acute that, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, no company could replace Taiwan’s output in the short term if production were disrupted.

While China has historically been Taiwan’s biggest export market, the trade balance began to shift in 2024 when the self-ruled island, claimed by the People ’s Republic of China as its renegade province, sold more goods to Washington than Beijing. 

In February, Taiwan’s exports to the US surged 65.6% from a year earlier to $11.77 billion, driven largely by demand for chips and artificial intelligence technologies.

“That‘s the strategic implication. That's how important Taiwan is to America. Because if China gets a hold of Taiwan, it can block the export of semiconductors to America,” Mogato, a former Reuters correspondent, said. 

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Trump once accused Taiwan of undermining America’s chip industry. But his tone shifted earlier this year after TSMC pledged a $100 billion investment in the US, including five new fabrication plants.

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Even without formal diplomatic ties, the economic and strategic partnership between Washington and Taipei is clear. Taiwan’s chips are too important — and too irreplaceable — for the US to let them fall into China’s hands.

2027

Earlier this year, senior US military officials sounded the alarm over China’s plans to modernise its military — the People ’s Liberation Army — allegedly to a level capable of a Taiwan invasion by 2027.

While some experts believe a more realistic date for a US-China confrontation over Taiwan is closer to 2030, the initial deadline is not without meaning for Beijing.

Year 2027 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, which is why, according to Mogato, “it's a very important and significant date to unite all Chinese territories into the mainland by 2027.”

The People’s Liberation Army was established decades before the People’s Republic of China itself, founded by the Chinese Communist Party in 1927 as the “Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army.”

It emerged amid the period of “White Terror”, when the ruling Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang, launched a bloody purge that killed thousands of communists and their supporters.

From those beginnings as a guerrilla force, the People’s Liberation Army has grown into the world’s largest standing military, with around 2 million active personnel as of 2024, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. 

It also commands the largest navy in the world by number of ships, an advantage in any potential conflict over Taiwan’s surrounding waters.

2049

Beyond 2027 lies a grander target for Beijing and President Xi Jinping. 

Now in his third term, Xi has vowed that by 2049, the centenary of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing will “lead the world in terms of composite national strength and international influence.” 

Tying that ambition to the year 2049 is rooted in history. In 1949, the Communist Party won the Civil War and Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China, forcing the Nationalists to retreat to Taiwan.

Xi’s 2049 vision calls for China to become a “great modern socialist country in all respects,” a goal that implicitly demands surpassing the United States not only in military might but also in economic power.

“Beyond 2027, China has an ambition to overtake the US as the No. 1 economic and military power by 2049,” Mogato said. “Why 2049? It’s the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China taking over Beijing after a civil war with the Nationalists.”

Whether Beijing can meet its twin ambitions in 2027 and 2049 remains uncertain. Time will tell,  but both dates are already shaping the future of global power.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping has set a 2027 deadline to modernise the country’s armed forces, with the aim of making them capable of invading Taiwan.

“2027 is just two years away. That’s why I don’t believe a war will break out by then — the US is not ready, and neither is China,” Mogato, a former Reuters correspondent, told Global South World.

Experts from the Heritage Foundation forecast that any such conflict might erupt around 2030.

Why the pushback? Mogato said the reason is straightforward: both countries may have sizeable militaries, but they are not yet fully prepared for a large-scale war.

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is currently the largest in the world, with a fleet of more than 370 platforms, including warships and submarines. This is expected to grow to 395 ships this year and 435 by 2030.

However, China’s weakness lies in its aircraft carrier capability, a critical factor in naval dominance that effectively provides a mobile air force. The PLAN has just three carriers: the Soviet-era Liaoning, the domestically built Shandong, and the more advanced Fujian.

By comparison, the US Navy operates 11 aircraft carriers and aims to expand to 12, pending the commissioning of the John F. Kennedy in 2027. That figure is set to fall temporarily to 10 in 2026 when the USS Nimitz is retired. 

In total, the US Navy has 296 battle-force ships, a number projected to slightly decrease to 294 by 2030. Nevertheless, the US military remains the largest in the world — a position China aims to overtake by 2049.

Another factor Mogato highlighted is China’s slowing economy.

While still the world’s second-largest economy, Beijing has struggled to maintain its previous rapid growth, posting slower GDP expansion in the second quarter amid looming US tariffs .

US President Donald Trump offered some temporary reprieve by signing an order on August 11, delaying the tariff hike for 90 days. The measures would impose a 30% duty on Chinese goods entering the US and 10% on American goods exported to China.

Despite these challenges, Mogato said Beijing remains determined to bring Taiwan under its control as part of its so-called “reunification” policy.

“Xi Jinping is really committed to taking back Taiwan to be part of China because they consider Taiwan as a renegade province,” Mogato said. “That’s the only territory remaining because Hong Kong was returned by the British, Macau was returned by Portugal, and Tibet was illegally annexed by China.”

“The only remaining territory outside mainland China is Taiwan. There was a plan to take back Taiwan by 2027. So, the US was expecting a war with China in 2027.” 

Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, following the Chinese Civil War between the Nationalist government and Mao Zedong’s communist forces.

Although the US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” — not formally recognising Taiwan as independent but supplying it with defensive arms — tensions have escalated in recent years over Chinese military activities near the island and Washington’s commitments to its security.

"We do not want to go to war,” Marcos told reporters in a briefing.” But I think if there is a war over Taiwan, we will be drawn. We will be pulled into it, whether we like it or not — kicking and screaming, we will be drawn and dragged into that mess.”

“I don’t know what they are talking about. Playing with fire? I was just stating facts.” 

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, threatening to take over it by force by sending warships and planes into the waters and airspace around the island.

In 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping said no one could stop Beijing's "reunification" with Taiwan.

Manila has also been entangled in a territorial dispute with Beijing, more specifically over parts of the South China Sea that were declared in a 2016 arbitration to be within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. 

As tensions in the region escalate anew, Marcos said the Philippines has to have its guard up. 

“Whatever we do — I love the saying: hope is not a plan. I hope it doesn't happen. But if it does, we have to plan for it already. And that's what I was talking about. How do we get our people out?"

“Despite our fervent wish to avoid any confrontation with anybody, anywhere, a war over Taiwan will drag the Philippines, kicking and screaming into the conflict."

Marcos, who assumed office in 2022 on a “friend to all, enemy to none” foreign policy , has consistently stood up against China, especially in matters related to the West Philippine Sea, where many Filipino fisherfolk still face intimidation from Beijing vessels.

"China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the United States and Taiwan, and firmly opposes the leaders of the Taiwan region visiting the United States under any name or for any reason," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing.

The comments come amid heightened cross-strait tensions, as Beijing continues to view Taiwan as a breakaway province with no right to independent diplomatic engagement. Taiwan has rejected the reported visit plans, calling them inaccurate.

The claim follows a previous report from Czech media last year, which said a Chinese diplomat ran a red light while following Hsiao’s car. On Thursday, June 26, Czech public radio outlet irozhlas.cz further reported that Chinese officials had planned to stage a demonstrative car crash.

Czech military intelligence spokesman Jan Pejsek told AFP on Sunday, June 29, that Hsiao was targeted by “persons legalised in diplomatic positions at the Chinese Embassy in Prague”.

In response to the accusations, China on Monday, June 30, said Taiwan has no official status to appoint a vice president.

“Taiwan is a part of China and has no so-called vice president,” said Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry.

“Chinese diplomats overseas always respect their host country’s laws and regulations,” she added.

Mao also accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of attempting to “change things up and seek independence from the outside and drive a wedge in China’s diplomatic relationships,” adding that “they will not be able to cover up their sinister plot, and their attempt will not succeed.”

Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and claims jurisdiction over the body of water that separates the self-ruled island from the Chinese mainland.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said on Thursday that the British Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey sailed through the strait the day before, as part of a freedom of navigation exercise. China's navy hit back on Friday, accusing London of "publicly hyping up" the move.

Beijing "organised troops to track and warn (the ship) throughout the entire journey, and effectively dealt with it", Liu Runke, a spokesman for the People's Liberation Army Navy's Eastern Theatre Command, said in an online statement.

He said British statements on the transit had "distorted legal principles and confused the public". "Its actions deliberately disrupted the situation and undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," Liu said.

China has repeatedly refused to rule out using force to seize control of democratic Taiwan. The HMS Spey was the first British Navy ship to sail through the strait since the HMS Richmond, a frigate deployed with Britain's aircraft carrier strike group, in 2021.

According to the report, Taiwan leads the pack with an astounding 47% growth rate in its millionaire population. This growth is fueled by the country’s tech-driven economy , a thriving semiconductor industry, and strong exports.

Close behind is Türkiye with a 43% growth rate, driven by a surge in entrepreneurship, an expanding export base, and recent currency stabilisation efforts.

Kazakhstan ranks third, with a 37% growth rate. The country’s wealth boom is largely linked to energy exports, mining , and robust regional trade.

The report also highlights the impressive growth rates in:

The UBS Global Wealth Report consistently emphasises that macroeconomic stability, policy support, and sectoral diversification are key drivers of wealth creation. For example, Taiwan’s position as a semiconductor powerhouse is a direct result of its industrial policies and trade agreements, while Indonesia’s growth owes much to reforms that attract foreign investment.

These materials are designed to replace traditional products that often rely on synthetic adhesives and are difficult to break down.

Professor Chen explained that coffee grounds have a naturally porous structure, which helps scatter sound waves, making them effective for noise reduction.

Unlike other coffee-based products, his team avoided industrial adhesives, which can clog the material’s pores and harm both its performance and its biodegradability.

The new material also absorbs moisture, neutralises odours, and repels insects, making it useful for homes, offices, cinemas, and even furniture.

After two years of research and testing, the team says the product is ready for mass production.

Chen’s team hopes their method will offer a greener and more practical solution for reusing waste from coffee, which has the potential to harm the environment if disposed of incorrectly.

This innovation is part of a broader trend at the university.

In recent months, researchers have also used coffee grounds to develop skincare products and even fuel.

Another team has been turning the waste into charcoal and biofertiliser, promoting full-circle recycling of one of the world's most consumed products.

The plan was announced by Taiwan’s Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming, who said that the new system would be placed in areas known for environmental violations.

The move is part of a broader push by the government to crack down on the illegal disposal of materials from construction sites, which has surged alongside major urban development and renewal projects.

Construction-generated materials ranging from metal, wood, plastic, and glass to excess soil are often dumped illegally to avoid processing fees.

This has led to widespread environmental damage and rising public concern.

In 2024 alone, cases of illegal dumping have tripled, according to the Ministry of Justice .

Over the past six years, nearly 19,000 people have been charged with environmental crimes, with authorities seizing more than US$85 million in illegal profits.

The AI system will work alongside GPS tracking and a new digital reporting platform that will require all construction sites and disposal facilities to log material movements.

Vehicles transporting waste will need to be fitted with GPS devices to ensure transparency in where and how waste is handled.

The Ministry of the Interior, working with the environment and justice ministries, is also identifying legal dumping and recycling sites to ease the burden on illegal disposal.

More than 150 million cubic metres of space have been mapped out across ports, industrial zones, and redevelopment areas for this purpose.

The government is also planning to change the Waste Disposal Act to introduce tougher penalties for violators, including longer prison terms and higher fines.

Chinese automaker BYD outsold Tesla in battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales across 28 European countries last month, marking its first lead over the U.S. firm in the region. According to data released Thursday by research firm JATO Dynamics, BYD sold 7,231 BEVs in April, narrowly surpassing Tesla’s 7,165 units. Despite the slim margin, analysts view the development as significant for Europe’s car market. JATO analyst Felipe Munoz described it as a “watershed moment,” reflecting growing European acceptance of Chinese EVs. BYD’s April sales rose nearly 170% year-over-year, far exceeding the overall EV market growth of 17%. The brand’s price advantage, despite existing EU tariffs, continues to appeal to cost-conscious buyers.

China urges investigation after Israeli troops fire on diplomatic delegation 

China has called for a full investigation into an incident in which Israeli soldiers fired on a diplomatic delegation in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned actions endangering diplomatic personnel and urged steps to prevent recurrence. Spokesperson Mao Ning emphasised the need for all parties, especially Israel, to avoid actions that could escalate regional tensions.

China says Taiwan is not a country 

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday, May 22, rejected comments by Taiwan’s foreign minister, stating that it is "arrogant and ignorant" to call Taiwan a country. Spokesperson Mao Ning asserted that Taiwan has never been a state and reaffirmed that its future can only be determined by China's 1.4 billion people. China considers Taiwan a province with no right to statehood and has increased military and political pressure to reinforce this stance. The statement followed remarks by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, who said China lacks the authority to decide Taiwan’s status and expressed openness to dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Bill introduced to curb China’s tariff evasion through offshore production

U.S. representative for Texas and House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington introduced the Axing Nonmarket Tariff Evasion (ANTE) Act on Thursday, which targets Chinese state-backed and subsidised entities that establish production in third countries to bypass U.S. tariffs. Arrington stated the legislation addresses long-standing unfair trade practices that have negatively impacted the U.S. economy and employment. "For far too long, adversaries like China have engaged in unfair trade practices, cheated the American economy, and cost the U.S. millions of jobs," Arrington said in a statement to Fox News .

China-Philippines maritime clash escalates tensions 

The Philippines has accused China of dangerously ramming and using a water cannon against its coast guard vessel near Sandy Cay in the South China Sea. Video evidence confirms a Chinese ship’s aggressive actions, which caused significant damage. China’s foreign ministry denied knowledge of the incident, while Philippine officials labelled it a “serious violation”. Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that the country will not tolerate threats to its sovereignty. The incident has drawn international concern amid growing tensions in the disputed waters.

After promising to stand up to China and defend democracy at his inauguration, Lai insisted Taiwan was "willing" to communicate with Beijing if there was "parity and dignity". China has rebuffed Lai's previous offers to talk. "Peace is priceless and there are no winners in war," Lai said, but added "we cannot have illusions" and vowed to continue "to strengthen our national defence capabilities".

Taiwan will "actively cooperate with international allies, shoulder to shoulder to exert the power of deterrence, to prepare for war to avoid war, and to achieve the goal of peace," Lai told journalists at the Presidential Office.

China, which claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it, has held several rounds of large-scale military drills around the island since Lai took office. Taiwan's coast guard warned Monday that China may use "cognitive warfare" to "disrupt public morale" as Lai marks the first anniversary of his inauguration.

As Taiwan comes under pressure from Washington to move more factories to US soil and reduce their trade imbalance, Lai said Taiwan would not "put all our eggs in one basket". Taiwan would increase its economic resilience by diversifying markets and boosting domestic demand. Lai also announced plans to set up a sovereign wealth fund to "boost Taiwan's economic momentum", but did not provide details about its size.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry believes the decision was pushed by China , which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

In a statement, the ministry said , “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly protested Somalia's action made under the instigation of China to restrict the travel freedom and safety of Taiwanese nationals and has demanded that the Somali government immediately revoke the notice.”

So far, Somalia has not said anything about the ban but China welcomed the move and called it a show of support for the "one-China principle."

A Chinese government spokesperson told journalists that the ban was “a legitimate measure.”

The ban may be connected to Taiwan’s close ties with Somaliland.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 and now runs its own government, although it is not officially recognised by any country.

In 2020, Taiwan and Somaliland opened embassies in each other’s capitals, which made both China and Somalia angry.

Taiwan is a self-ruled island with its own government, laws, and elections. However, most countries do not officially recognise it as a separate country due to pressure from China.

Taiwanese officials are now warning people not to travel to Somalia or Somaliland until the ban is lifted.

The country’s top leaders, including the president, vice president, and foreign and defence secretaries, are still not allowed to go.

The new rule took effect on April 15 and was confirmed in a memo from the government.

The change is meant to help the Philippines grow its economy by making it easier to connect with important trading partners like Taiwan.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed the move and called it a good step forward.

It said the new rule will help build stronger ties between the two countries, which have worked together for many years without formal diplomatic relations.

The Philippines first recognised China in 1975, which led to its unofficial relationship with Taiwan.

But in recent years, especially under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the country has slowly moved toward closer ties with Taiwan.

Marcos even congratulated Taiwan’s new president earlier this year, which angered China.

This latest move comes as the Philippines is also working more closely with the United States on military cooperation. China has warned against these ties, saying they threaten peace in the region.

Lamola clarified that the move does not represent a shift in diplomatic status. South Africa has not maintained formal relations with Taiwan since 1997, following its official recognition of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

The relocation aligns with United Nations Resolution 2758 of 1971, which recognises the PRC as the sole legitimate representative of China.

"South Africa retains the sovereign right to determine the location of foreign missions within its borders," Lamola stated, emphasising that Taiwan’s diplomatic presence remains unchanged in terms of status - it remains a liaison office, not a full embassy.

Experts say the move reflects both international convention and South Africa’s consistent foreign policy approach. “The One China policy has been part of South African diplomacy since the later years of the Mandela administration,” said Mikatekiso Kubayi, a senior researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue. “This is not an unusual stance - it’s supported by the UN and followed by countries such as the United States .”

Kubayi explained that most consular and liaison offices are located in Johannesburg, while embassies are typically based in Pretoria. "Relocating Taiwan's office simply aligns it with other offices of similar diplomatic status," he said. Adding that any resistance from Taiwan is likely to be symbolic rather than confrontational. “The real question is why the office remained in Pretoria for so long,” he added.

Though the two countries do not have official ties , they share substantial business ties, and there are Taiwanese communities in South Africa.

This, in other words, refers to investors turning to Taiwanese companies instead of mainland Chinese companies hit by US policies .

“The Trump administration also said yesterday that it wants to delist some Chinese publicly-traded companies from the US stock market,” Lin noted. “Now, as for whether these follow-up actions will lead to what's called the 'order-transfer effect' shifting to Taiwan, I think the chances are quite high.”

Lin attributed Taiwan's potential advantage to its more measured response in contrast to China’s confrontation with the U.S.

“All of this started with the fact that we did not adopt a tough strategy or directly confront the US,” he said. “As for Trump and the so-called tariff trade war with mainland China, I believe Taiwan has a very high chance of benefiting from it.”

10 poor countries paying the price for Donald Trump's tariff hikes

President Trump has extended his trade war to poorer nations like Lesotho, a southern African country known for textiles. Once dubbed the “denim capital of Africa,” it exported $235 million to the U.S. in 2024, supporting 30,000 jobs. Now, its denim exports face a steep 50% tariff. Read more here .

Money, lies, and power: How South Africans see Elon Musk

New research by Global South World reveals many South Africans view Elon Musk negatively. Analysing 82,300 online mentions and 572,000 likes, the study found common keywords like “money, disinformation, lies,” highlighting widespread criticism across media platforms. Read more here .

15-year-old Nigerian boy with autism breaks world record for largest canvas painting

Fifteen-year-old Nigerian artist Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke has entered the Guinness World Records for the largest solo canvas painting, spanning 12,303 square meters. It was unveiled on April 2 at Abuja’s Eagle Square, coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day. Read more here .

Asia

Taiwan eyes zero tariffs with US, pledges more investment

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has offered zero tariffs in talks with the U.S., pledging to remove trade barriers and boost U.S. investments. This comes after President Trump imposed broad import tariffs, including a 32% duty on Taiwanese goods—though semiconductors, a key export, are exempt. Read more here .

Philippines alarmed over China arrest of alleged Filipino spies

The Philippines has voiced concern over China’s arrest of three Filipinos for alleged spying, calling them ordinary citizens and possible retaliation for Manila’s anti-espionage efforts. Officials say the trio were former scholars with no military ties. Read more here .

Indonesia will not retaliate against Trump tariff, official says

Indonesia will not retaliate against President Trump’s 32% tariff, its top economic minister said Sunday, April 6. Instead, the country will seek diplomatic and negotiated solutions to the sweeping U.S. trade measures. Read more here .

Colombian rebel group steps towards peace, hands over war material

Colombian armed group Comuneros del Sur, a breakaway faction of the ELN, handed over weapons and signed two peace agreements with President Gustavo Petro on Saturday, April 5. At an event in Pasto, the group said the move showed its commitment to peace. Read more here .

Amazon shipping route for Brazilian soy disrupted by protests, poor roads

Indigenous protests and poor roads have disrupted Brazil’s soybean shipments via the Miritituba port, affecting major firms like Cargill and Bunge. Grain handler group Abiove said blockades have delayed about 70,000 tons daily, worth nearly $30 million. Read more here .

US official discusses Panama Canal-related audit with Panamanian minister

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha discussed the ongoing audit of Hutchison’s management of two key ports by the Panama Canal. While Panama runs the canal, the ports are operated by Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison, alongside others run by U.S., Singaporean, and Taiwanese firms. Read more here .

Beijing reiterated its firm opposition to any push for the island’s independence and criticised Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), accusing it of pursuing independence with foreign support.

“The Democratic Progressive Party administration stubbornly insisted on Taiwan's independence, and its vain attempt to separate the country for foreign independence was to stand in the way and was bound to fail,” he said.

“China will eventually be unified, and the historical trend of unification will surely be unstoppable,” Guo added.

Taiwan loses the game if a significant number of important cities on the island are taken by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA).

According to Chang Shao-lian, founder of Mizo Games, 2045 was not like its earlier war games, where players had to work together to win.

“We're talking about a landing war in Taiwan, but we actually have a little moderation to get out of the middle line and say, okay, we're going to have this happen now. And whether Taiwan wins or Taiwan loses the war, there will be a winner,” Chang told AFP.

This puts pressure on the healthcare system, making it harder for doctors to keep up with demand.

As part of efforts to solve the problem of communication between doctors and patients including language barriers and complex medical terms which slow down appointments, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has created an AI-powered tool called MedBobi.

This system listens to conversations between doctors and patients , recognises medical terms in different languages, and translates them instantly.

It can also fill out medical forms automatically, making hospital visits quicker. The system has already been tested in major hospitals across Taiwan and can understand more than 90 languages.

Exoskeletons called KneeBO and HipBO have also been designed to help people walk more easily.

These wearable devices use AI to adjust movements in real time, reducing strain on the body. The technology can help elderly people stay active and could also be used in physical therapy and even the military .

Taiwan’s researchers hope that these technologies will improve healthcare, reduce the workload on doctors, and give people a better quality of life.

Including bonuses and overtime, the total average salary reaches NT$60,984, which is a 4.39% increase from 2023.

The middle salary, also called the median salary, is also rising. It now stands at NT$37,274, which is 3.29% higher than the previous year.

However, rising prices make the increase feel smaller.

When adjusted for inflation, the real average salary is only 0.58% higher. The real median salary rises by 1.09%. This means that while paychecks are bigger, they do not stretch as far as workers might hope.

“This is returning money to the people,” KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi stated after the vote.

The reductions affect various sectors, including defence spending, which was slated to hit a record NT$647 billion (about USD 19.7 billion) in 2025. 

Specific cuts include freezing 50% of funding for a submarine programme and a drone industry park, reducing foreign travel and training by 15%, and trimming operational costs.

“The freeze of the submarine budget will let the world see that Taiwan’s parliament has obviously compromised Taiwan’s determination of its national defence capabilities,” Premier Cho Jung-tai remarked before the final vote.

The parliamentary vote coincided with the swearing-in of US President Donald Trump, who has previously pressured allies to increase their defence spending. 

While Taiwan relies on US arms sales to strengthen its defences, defence expert Chieh Chung of Tamkang University cautioned that the budget cuts could prompt the US to question its support for Taiwan. 

“The US might question whether its support for Taiwan is justified when internal political disputes reduce the effectiveness of such support,” Chieh told AFP.