President Lai Ching-te announced new carbon reduction goals of 32% in 2032 and 38% in 2035. But environmental groups are calling for stronger commitments, like zero growth in the use of natural gas and the phase-out of coal power plants.

U.S. officials have long called on Taiwan to dramatically boost its defense spending as the power gap across the Taiwan Strait grows.

T ens of tHOUSANDS of people converged on Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, earlier this month. Placards depicted Lai Ching-te, the president, as a horned devil, with the words: “Recall the dictatorial emperor Lai.” The protest is just one act in a political drama that has roiled the island country for weeks.

Taiwan’s conflict with the Chinese Communist Party has been going on for more than 70 years. China hasn’t ruled out taking Taiwan by force. It claims the island as its own territory, while Taiwan recognizes itself as an independent country.

Taiwan’s ruling party is asking the highest court to pause and potentially throw out legislation that may limit the judiciary’s ability to function, a move that could give President Lai Ching-te a big win in his battles with the opposition over issues including the budget and defense spending to deter China.

Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai on Thursday decried what he said were "suicidal" budget cuts passed by the opposition-dominated parliament this week, saying that he may ask lawmakers to review and vote again on the slashed spending that includes defence.

Han Kuo-yu led a bipartisan delegation to Washington in a rare moment of cooperation amid severe political contention between the two main parties.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) governs mainland China, whereas the Republic of China (ROC) administers Taiwan and several smaller islands. “On the contrary, the Republic of China may be the motherland of the people of the People’s Republic of China who are over 75 years old,” Mr Lai said.

Taiwan's President, Lai Ching-te, paid a visit to Taitung on Tuesday to motivate and encourage the local army garrisons and highlight the role they play in safeguarding national security.In a post on X,

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The relations between China and Taiwan are constantly tense since their de facto separation in 1949 and are causing tension in relations between Beijing and Washington. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing.

Taiwan has announced a substantial reduction in funding for its primary utility provider Taiwan Power, expected to raise power costs.