Tension Between China and Taiwan
China expressed resolute opposition to Joe Biden’s remarks that the US would defend Taiwan militarily if the Chinese mainland were to invade.
Biden made the statement on Monday during his visit to Japan.
Responding to that at a regular press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said: ‘the Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction with and resolute opposition to relevant words of the US’ The Guardian
The White House quickly downplayed the comments, saying they don’t reflect a change in US policy. It’s the third time in recent months — including during a CNN town hall in October — that Biden has said the US would protect Taiwan from a Chinese attack, only to have the White House walk back those remarks. CNN
The Chinese military has released footage of a landing operation exercise carried out by the People’s Liberation Army Navy. The drills come amid concern Xi Jinping is preparing China for a war to take over Taiwan. The Chinese Communist Party has long held Taiwan to be a right part of the People’s Republic of China with the population of the self-governing island living under the constant fear of a sudden invasion. EXPRESS
China’s decision not to agree with the Taiwan region’s participation in this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) has received broad-based support and understanding from the international community, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday. CCTV
The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is reportedly discussing plans with the Singaporean government to open a plant in that country.
TSMC is well-known for manufacturing Apple’s A-series and M-series chips, as well as AMD processors, but the tech giant also produces chips for display drivers and power management, which are in short supply thanks to supply constraints due to COVID-19-related lockdowns. These supply constraints have already cost Apple $6 billion in the last two quarters, and that amount could go up to $8 billion. Techosmo
The global shortage of chips that forced several automakers to halt production has brought attention to Taiwan’s outsized role in semiconductor manufacturing.
Much of that dominance comes down to TSMC, the world’s largest foundry that counts major technology firms such as Apple, Qualcomm and Nvidia as its clients. CNBC
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s chips are everywhere, though most consumers don’t know it.
The company makes almost all of the world’s most sophisticated chips, and many of the simpler ones, too. They’re in billions of products with built-in electronics, including iPhones, personal computers and cars – all without any obvious sign they coame from TSMC. Wall Street Journal
Pressure between China and Taiwan has been building, with the past year seeing a record number of Chinese warplane incursions sent into Taiwan’s air defence zone.
At the heart of this is the issue of reunification. Read More from BBC
CHINA will remain committed to pursuing “reunification” with Taiwan, but Beijing does not have the firepower to act against Taipei anytime soon, an expert has told Express.co.uk.
The war in Ukraine has increased Beijing’s sense of urgency to prepare for any change to Taiwan’s status quo, according to analysts, with satellite imagery confirming mainland China has stepped up efforts to get its military shipbuilding schedule back on track. South China Morning Post