I am gonna make it through this year if it kills Smee

When you get the reputation of being the guy with the encouraging words on New Year's Eve, it can start to come through as a little pressure -- what if the situation on the ground is worse than usual? what if people are more scared than they usually are, and with cause? what use are good vibes then?

Over 5500 camp victims added to the archive, and with them over 1500 new faces.

China launches live-fire drills encircling Taiwan

“What I care deeply about is building this kind of bridge for veterans to go home.” @heldavidson.bsky.social reports on a Taiwan borough chief who brings the ashes of KMT veterans back to their final resting place in the PRC.

Loved reporting this story, looking at the deeper ties and complications in the history and fallout of the cross-Strait relationship

Good morning, Taiwan 🎞️: Yes! Star 200

One month after the deadly fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Nov 26, survivors are still reeling from the psychological trauma of losing their homes and loved ones while struggling to adapt to life amidst displacement and bereavement. In full: buff.ly/PgBJu1y

Australia had local council elections and friends were bemoaning that they had no idea about any of the candidates or what they did. It was a lightbulb moment - local newspapers had shut down in the last 5 years. State/national outlets aren't sending reporters to local council meetings.

'Since July more than 200 people have already been arrested, including for merely liking social media posts criticising the vote.' www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

US drops plan to deport Chinese national who exposed Xinjiang abuses, apnews.com/article/chin...

'Should she return to China to be nearer to her husband, but risk arrest herself? Should she stay in Thailand, a country that has... a history of complying with deportation requests from Beijing? Should she seek refuge elsewhere?' By @amyabides.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Taiwan is home to four major language groups. This map shows which language is most commonly used in everyday conversations in each district, reflecting dominant use, not exclusivity.

Great story from @amyabides.bsky.social

The outcome of Honduras’ 30 November election is yet to be called. But there is a clear winner beyond the Central American nation’s borders: Taiwan. From Mat Youkee and me.

"Sky's analysis, based on data from internet registry APNIC, suggests that one in five Starlink users (21%) are accessing the service from countries where the company has no licence to operate – such as Sudan, Myanmar and Iraq."

Syrian home town of Ahmed al-Ahmed rallies around the Bondi hero, amid the rubble of civil war

Protect independent media.💡Join HKFP: hongkongfp.com/members Donations ensure HKFP’s independence, help tackle our deficit, & keep our award-winning reporting paywall-free. Our accounts: hongkongfp.com/transparency 🚨 HK$150+/month members unlock 8 benefits. Support us: hongkongfp.com/members

“I always had the knowledge that my dad was doing the right thing and not the easy thing”, says Sebastien Lai, whose father Jimmy was convicted of national security charges today. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

The rise and fall of Jimmy Lai, whose trajectory mirrored that of Hong Kong itself

Police and government now addressing media outside court, following national security conviction of Jimmy Lai

Jimmy Lai found guilty on all charges. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court finds pro-democracy figure guilty of all charges – live

I’m in Hong Kong for the verdict in Jimmy Lai’s national security trial. Dozens queued outside court overnight. Some passersby noted longrunning allegations that people are paid by pro-Beijing groups to reserve seats that might be taken by supporters. I tried asking but no one would speak.

who says state media doesn't have a sense of humour

“From Beijing’s point of view, there is only one measure that will determine whether Lee will keep his job: will he be able to prevent any protests and snuff out any signs of dissent? By that measure, his performance so far has been faultless.” @antd.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/commen...

Indonesia: 600+ Sri Lanka: 366 Thailand: 176 www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

Sedition (petitioning the government to house the displaced and investigate construction companies)

The inferno has been compared to London’s Grenfell Tower disaster. Not just for the scale, but for the now rampant questions about negligent safety standards and corruption, amid revelations that the construction site allegedly had a history of safety violations. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

Since the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement, the government has made “national security” its overriding priority. There is a sense among some that while authorities have been chasing down any whisper of dissent, a building they knew wasn't safe burned down. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

The inferno has been compared to London’s Grenfell Tower disaster. Not just for the scale, but for the now rampant questions about negligent safety standards and corruption, amid revelations that the construction site allegedly had a history of safety violations. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

‘There should have been an alarm’: in air thick with acrid smoke, people in Hong Kong are reeling and angry

Hong Kong fire: police blame construction firm’s ‘gross negligence’ as death toll rises to 55 www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...

🚨 journo job! 🚨 Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it! workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...

China and Japan are in a war of words over Taiwan – what happens next?

Fascinating exclusive interview from @lisaocarroll.bsky.social on the drama behind the China-Netherlands Nexperia drama www.theguardian.com/business/202...

"This isn’t about sudden escalation; it’s about China normalising actions it once restrained itself from taking,” said Song Bo, a fellow at Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy.

Single mothers in China find a new kind of partner – other single mothers

As divorce rates rise and the cost of living bites, single mothers in China are searching for a new kind of partner: each other. @heldavidson.bsky.social reports: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

I’m crying www.semafor.com/article/10/2...

“In 30 years working [in the favelas] this is the greatest act of savagery, the biggest massacre I have seen." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o... By @tomphillips.bsky.social in Rio

Spotify makes billions in revenue and pays artists a pittance. Now to make matters worse, they've been caught boosting AI generated fake music to compete with real musicians. They need to stop the rip off and Pay Up! www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda hits out at AI-generated videos of her dead father: ‘Stop doing this to him’

China’s fifth-ranking official was suspect in dropped Westminster spy case. By @amyabides.bsky.social and Dan Sabbagh Person who was thought to have received intelligence is understood to be Cai Qi, de facto chief of staff to Xi Jinping www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Gym bros, monks, retirees: thousands descend on Taiwan town to clean up after devastating flood

Jerome Cohen, the "Evergreen Pine of Rule of Law in China," Remembered

People can still be kind 👍 - great dispatch and pics from Helen Davidson www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Trump says Xi Jinping has agreed to approve TikTok deal, but details unclear

It's worth reminding Americans that one of the things that chilled Japan Inc's involvement in China was the risk that the PRC would detain its workers, so you really can't underestimate the chilling effect the Hyundai raid will have on foreign investment