On behalf of the Club, TFCC chair Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social presented Minister Lin with a book by renowned British cook Dame Mary Berry. Photos by William Chen. 2/2

The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung for a briefing on Wednesday. Minister Lin shared his philosophy of Integrated Diplomacy, with a focus on Economic Diplomacy, and his recent travels. The event drew a full house. 1/2

The Beijing-Tokyo row over comments by Sanae Takaichi is roiling politics in the place the remarks concerned -- Taiwan. KMT grandees Ma Ying-jeou and Hung Hsiu-chu have echoed China’s rebukes of Japan’s prime minister. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...

An analysis by @asia.nikkei.com shows that Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has managed to visit an unusually large number of countries. “Taiwan’s existence and success are proof of democratic resilience,” Lin said at a @taiwanfcc.bsky.social briefing. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...

Exclusive - Kuomintang’s chairwoman Cheng Li-wun sat down for her first int’l media interview as party leader, & talked about Lai’s “Taiwan Independence fascism,” why “we are Chinese”, US tariffs, relations with Xi Jinping and Beijing, defence spending & “One China”. asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/po...

The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club will be hosting Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Lin Chia-Lung for a members-only briefing on November 12. Registration is now closed and we’re looking forward to meeting registered attendees very soon.

In late August, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted CCP elite politics expert Willy Lam for a discussion on Xi Jinping, his leadership style, and the challenges to his grip on power. The event was moderated by TFCC Vice Chair @demesdavid.bsky.social. Photos by William Chen

Estonia and Taiwan are stuck in a stalemate over plans to open a Taiwanese office in Tallinn, illustrating difficulties in Taipei-Europe ties even as both feel pressure from China & Russia. w/ comments from @matejsimalcik.bsky.social and @williamyang120.bsky.social asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...

On stalled of 🇹🇼 office in 🇪🇪: "While Lithuania recovered from Beijing's pressure, this episode also served as a deterrent for other European countries. It's crucial for #Taiwan to open a mission in #Estonia and demonstrate institutional momentum, regardless of the office's name."

Full story by @thomchau.bsky.social with more quotes by yours truly is published by @asia.nikkei.com asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...

Taiwan's plan to set up mission in Estonia hits wall over name @matejsimalcik.bsky.social explains why the dispute over a name reveals much deeper tensions in Europe–Taiwan relations, haunted by 🇨🇳’s retaliation against Lithuania. ⤵️ 1/5 🔗 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int... ✍️ @thomchau.bsky.social

BREAKING: The Kuomintang on Saturday elected Cheng Li-wun as its next leader, picking an upstart over an old-guard favorite and sending a shock through Taiwan’s political class. Cheng will become only the second elected female leader in the KMT’s history. asia.nikkei.com/politics/kmt...

Cheng Li-Wun, the dark horse in the KMT leadership race, told an audience at the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club that her mission is “to be a peacemaker” who will aim for “reconciliation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.” @taiwanfcc.bsky.social asia.nikkei.com/politics/kmt...

The KMT will pick its leader today. The traditional establishment is largely behind Hau Lung-bin, but Cheng Li-wun has emerged as a formidable rival. What’s been said on the campaign trail: China, shadow cabinet, defence spending, Japan, meeting Takaichi… asia.nikkei.com/politics/tai...

Polish edition of #GhostNation just dropped Coming soon: Feb 2026 - US publication + book tour Spring 2026 - Publication of Chinese and Czech editions

The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club organised a briefing with British Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones. We thank the British Office Taipei for their hospitality and the opportunity. The event was moderated by TFCC chair @thomchau.bsky.social. Photos: William Chen

The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted KMT party chair candidate Cheng Li-Wun and former KMT official Prof. Tso Chen-Dong for an in-depth discussion about the party’s leadership race. The event, moderated by @thomchau.bsky.social, drew a strong turnout among members. 📸: @mikg.bsky.social

As the Kuomintang’s leadership race heats up, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club will be hosting two KMT insiders - former legislator and govt spox Cheng Li-Wun, and ex-KMT official and adviser to the 2024 presidential candidate Professor Tso Chen-Dong - for a discussion.

Taiwan must accelerate preparations to strengthen its resilience against China’s threats, President Lai Ching-te warned at a security conference on Saturday, pledging to spend the equivalent of 3.32% of Taiwan’s GDP on defence next year. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...

On September 16, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club will organize a panel discussion about the country’s efforts to create a defense industrial supply chain. We will be joined by Rupert Hammond-Chambers of @ustaiwan.bsky.social and Cathy Fang of DSET.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te is counting on a reshuffle of senior ministers and the ruling party apparatus to inject fresh energy into a government weighed down by legislative gridlock. asia.nikkei.com/politics/tai...

In-depth investigation: Taiwan has reported an unprecedented number of subsea cable disruptions this year, raising concerns that China could be using fishing and cargo ships as cover for operations aimed at hitting Taiwan’s comms infrastructure. @asia.nikkei.com asia.nikkei.com/business/tec...

Good piece in UDN on how some in the Taiwanese government misunderstand the situation in Myanmar and mistakenly think it is improving--hence concern that the government might not extend the visas of Myanmar students in Taiwan global.udn.com/global_visio...

The Kuomintang - the main opposition party in #Taiwan - is facing a leadership election after obliterating a campaign that tried to unseat its lawmakers. None of the bigwigs have declared their bids yet. Nikkei Asia looks at the KMT race so far. asia.nikkei.com/politics/kmt...

Ahead of a referendum on reviving the Maanshan nuclear power plant, TPP chair Huang Kuo-chang argued that national security, data centres and the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions all demand a rethink on atomic energy for Taiwan. asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-pic...

Please read the full statement on our website: taiwanfcc.org/20250819-gaz...

Taiwan is feeling the sting of a 20% tariff imposed by the US despite months of quiet negotiations and public commitments, while efforts to strike a better deal risk becoming embroiled in domestic political wrangling. asia.nikkei.com/economy/trad...

The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted KMT grandee, ex-foreign minister and Taichung mayor Jason Hu for a book talk. Hu talked about his decades-long public life, memories at Oxford, the KMT and Taiwan’s future. Event was moderated by @thomchau.bsky.social. Photos: @demesdavid.bsky.social

For the next installment of our monthly TFCCxATJ Talk Series on Wednesday, August 13, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club has invited writer and translator  linkinglionking.bsky.social to talk about Taiwanese literature on the world stage

For @foreignaffairs.com, @poscwty1.bsky.social and I write about how polarization in Taiwan has reached dangerous levels. Partisan politics needs an off-ramp, both for the sake of Taiwan’s national security, and its ability to function as a democracy. www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/taiwa...

Last Friday, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted Vice President 蕭美琴 Bi-khim Hsiao for an exclusive briefing.

The event was moderated by TFCC chair @thomchau.bsky.social. Photos by @mikg.bsky.social

Nikkei .... But it is pouring here in Taichung at 8 am. Turnout will take a hit early. Hopefully it will clear in a bit asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Tai...

Good morning from Taichung, where voting has started! Today voters will determine the future of 24 incumbent KMT legislators across Taiwan as part of a mass recall movement. Nikkei Asia has just published a curtain raiser to kick off the big day asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Tai...

Nikkei compiled this selected list of KMT policy proposals that have sparked public ire. Many more could be listed.

Taiwan’s hot political summer: KMT lawmakers face wave of recall votes – Nikkei Asia: ‘Some experts in Taipei say the KMT overplayed its hand after last year’s elections.’

A movement seeking to recall KMT legislators has stunned #Taiwan’s establishment with its momentum, crystallising protest at KMT attempts to challenge Lai’s administration that have affected govt budgets, defence programmes, judiciary and foreign policies. Feature: asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Po...

Excellent asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Po...

The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) will be hosting Vice President 蕭美琴 Bi-khim Hsiao for a members-only briefing on Friday, July 18th. The session will be moderated by TFCC chair @thomchau.bsky.social

@thomchau.bsky.social on the recalls with special attention to KMT position as articulated by a senior leader firmly in the Ma camp. The recalls are not going to change their China policy founded on the 1992 consensus but they support increased defense spending. asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Tai...

The KMT has reaffirmed its support for “One China” and vowed to fend off the recall votes this summer. “We will be following the constitution - which is a One China constitution - and we will be following the 1992 consensus,” KMT vice chair Andrew Hsia said. asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Tai...

Taiwan chip tycoon Robert Tsao warns China has ‘Trojan horse’ in KMT that must be voted out – Nikkei Asia: ‘“Beijing wants to use the KMT to annex Taiwan,” Tsao said at his Taipei office.’ ‘Tsao blamed the KMT and TPP for political dysfunction.’

Announcement: The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club recently elected a new leadership for the year 2025-2026. The new board of directors are: Thompson Chau (Chairman) @thomchau.bsky.social David Demes (Vice Chairman) @demesdavid.bsky.social Brian Hioe @brianhioe.bsky.social

Auterion CEO: “We should assume numbers [drones needed for Taiwan] that match what we see in Ukraine, which means you start with hundreds of thousands and go into the millions. There is no alternative because drones are the new possession munitions.” asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Pic...

The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted Conservative MP, former cabinet member and defence secretary Sir Gavin Williamson for a talk yesterday. Sir Gavin, who’s on a trip in Taipei, engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with members.

@thomchau.bsky.social with a useful look at these cases. asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Int...

The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club will be hosting former UK Secretary of State for Defence Sir Gavin Williamson for a timely briefing next month. Details have been sent to members via email. taiwanfcc.org/20250703-wil...

Longtime TFCC member and former VP @heguisen.bsky.social’s new book Ghost Nation: The Story of Taiwan and its Struggle for Survival will hit shelves in mid-July. The TFCC is organizing a group pre-order for Taiwan residents. Secure your copy here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The Philippines has waived tourist visa requirements for Taiwan passport holders. “Beijing’s effort to deter Manila’s embrace of Taiwan is not working,” commented @zsuzsettte.bsky.social. “It has backfired and is helping normalise cooperation with Taiwan.” asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Int...

Visa-free entry reciprocation between Taiwan & the Philippines suggests both recognize the urgency of deepening exchanges against a hostile China. Neither can afford to ignore the other, they know they must improve exchanges & access. Quoted in Nikkei Asia. 🙏🏼 @thomchau.bsky.social t.co/6KB036q7wo