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Articles by Kris Ma
Joshua Wong Sentenced to 10 Years in Second National Security Case
Crowds and police surrounded the Hong Kong High Court on Thursday... They were waiting for former Hong Kong student leader Joshua Wong... who has been sentenced to 10 more years in prison after a guilty plea to foreign collusion charges... It’s his second national security case since the city-wide democracy movement in 2019. Supporters waiting outside the courthouse before sentencing was announced said they will not give up on Wong and democracy in the city.
New Taipei Exhibit Welcomes Visitors To Admire Art Through Touch
An exhibition in New Taipei is welcoming visitors to appreciate its artwork by touching them. This is a collaborative event by institutions in Japan and Taiwan, showcasing pieces by artists and members of the visual impaired community. It is open to the public until November 15th.
Early Voting Surges Ahead of High-Stakes US Midterm Elections
Published 10/29/2026 19:02 Updated 10/29/2026 19:35 By Kris Ma/John Van Trieste Millions of Americans have already voted ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, with control of Congress hanging in the balance. In Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, voters cited issues ranging from the cost of living to foreign policy and emerging technologies.
Taiwan’s AI Boom Could Lift Traditional Industries, Minister Says
Published 10/28/2026 20:08 Updated 10/29/2026 12:17 By Kris Ma/Shir Bashi Taiwan’s AI-driven economic boom could deliver its strongest annual growth in nearly four decades. But Economy Minister Kung Ming-hsin says the government must ensure that businesses across all sectors benefit from the expansion. Kung says the Economy Ministry has guided more than 14,000 small and medium-sized enterprises on adopting AI, with a goal of raising AI penetration across industries to 50% as soon as possible.
Climate Change Threatens Cambodia’s Floating Villages
Published 10/21/2026 09:55 Updated 10/21/2026 12:45 By Kris Ma/Billie Sweetman/Irene Lin Residents of Tonle Sap in Cambodia are seeing dramatic changes to the waters they depend on. Around 80,000 people live in floating villages across Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, where fishing and farming have long relied on the lake’s natural flood pulse. But climate change, changing weather patterns and upstream hydropower dams are disrupting ecosystems and livelihoods.
'Taiwan Travelogue' Dutch version hits market
Taiwanese literature is enjoying a moment in the spotlight after the English translation of Yang Shuang-zi's “Taiwan Travelogue” won the International Booker Prize earlier this year. Yang’s novel, first published in 2020, has now been translated into Dutch. It is one of just 14 Taiwanese works translated in the Netherlands over the past 50 years. Six of them were published this year alone.
KMT Proposes Caning Law, US$600 Cash Handouts
A new legislative session has begun and Taiwan’s lawmakers are coming out hard. On Wednesday, Kuomintang lawmakers announced a proposal to introduce caning as a punishment for serious crimes... citing examples of its use in Singapore.
Analysis: Taiwan's Participation at APEC in China
Published 09/23/2026 16:03 Updated 09/23/2026 16:14 By Kris Ma/Tiffany Wong Taiwan's labor minister reports having a smooth trip after returning from an APEC ministerial meeting in Nanjing, China. Despite the host country's usual objections to Taiwan's participation in international spaces, Taiwan was able to maintain its participation under the name Chinese Taipei in this year's APEC.
US$14B Taiwan Arms Deal in Focus as Trump-Xi Summit Approaches
Officials in Taipei are confident that the US will remain a reliable partner, despite growing concerns that Taiwan could become a bargaining chip as US President Donald Trump prepares to welcome Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the White House later this week. Ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, several media reports have linked a pending $14 billion US dollar arms package for Taiwan to Trump’s efforts to improve ties with Beijing.
AI Boom's Funding Demands Squeeze Out Smaller Businesses Seeking Loans
Taiwan’s AI boom is driving record bank lending, but tighter funding conditions are making it harder for smaller businesses in traditional industries to secure loans. As banks favor financially stronger borrowers and tech companies willing to pay higher rates, experts warn the widening financing gap could put less-competitive firms at greater risk.
Semicon 2026: Taiwan's Chip Footprint Expanding Abroad
Published 09/04/2026 18:46 Updated 09/04/2026 19:00 By Kris Ma/Scott Huang/Ai Chi As global AI demand drives the chip market toward an estimated US$1.5 trillion in 2026, international trade delegations traveled to Taipei to woo local tech giants. Semicon Taiwan wrapped up Friday with a record 18 nations at its Global Pavilion. First-time exhibitors from Mexico, Spain, and Finland made pushes to attract Taiwanese semiconductor investment and expand global supply chains.
Canada Vows To Match New US Tariffs 'Dollar for Dollar'
Published 08/26/2026 12:26 Updated 08/26/2026 13:02 By Kris Ma/John Van Trieste Canada says it will retaliate "dollar for dollar" against new US tariffs that came into effect over the weekend as the trade war between the two neighbors and formerly close allies escalates. Canada, U.S. in Tit-for-Tat Tariff Dispute REPORTER: Canadian officials inspect some of the finished products inside an Ottawa steel plant.
Remembering the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis 68 Years On
Taiwan commemorates the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis every year on August 23. It was the last major conflict between Taiwan and China. This year, President Lai Ching-te presided over this year's memorial, stressing the importance of defense.
Analysis: Taiwan Proposes Total Defense Spending of 3% of GDP for 2027
Published 08/20/2026 18:03 Updated 08/20/2026 18:32 By Kris Ma/Alan Lu Taiwan plans to spend US$35 billion on defense in 2027, bringing defense spending to well above 3% of GDP under NATO standards. What does this signal about Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening its defense? TaiwanPlus spoke with Shen Ming-shih, a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, to find out more.
China Steps Up Information Warfare During Han Kuang Drills
Chinese state media and online influencers launched a campaign of disinformation and counterprogramming before and during Taiwan’s Han Kuang military exercises, according to Taiwanese experts. One widely circulated claim falsely suggested Taiwan President Lai Ching-te had practiced fleeing Taiwan during a military drill. In reality, the exercise simulated moving the president to a secure command center within Taiwan’s defense ministry.
Open Compute Project Brings AI Hardware Leaders to Taipei
Published 08/11/2026 17:33 By Kris Ma/Lily LaMattina Behind the AI boom is a massive race to build the physical infrastructure that makes it possible. The 2026 Open Compute Project Summit is bringing together partners across the AI supply chain in Taipei, putting Taiwan at the center of the conversation. REPORTER: AI may look like a software revolution. But behind every AI response is a massive race to build the physical infrastructure that makes it possible.
Han Kuang Exercise 2026 Expands Beyond the Battlefield
Taiwan's annual Han Kuang Exercise entered its second day with military drills taking place across the country, with many happening in full public view. From armored vehicle convoys on city streets to reservists reporting at schools, the exercise is giving civilians a closer look at how Taiwan would respond during a crisis. Next week's air raid drills will also simulate mobile network disruptions for the first time.
Lai Urges Resistance to China's Transnational Repression at Ketagalan Forum
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Tiffany Wong Publish Date - 08/04/2026 At the 10th annual Ketagalan Forum in Taipei, political figures and experts expressed support for Taiwan's fight against transnational repression from China. President Lai Ching-te warned that Beijing's new ethnic unity law is a dangerous tool for use against people outside China's borders.
Analysis: Cheap Summer Camps Part of China’s Propaganda Campaign - TaiwanPlus
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Hank Hsu/Reece Ayers Publish Date - 08/03/2026
How AI Is Helping Save Lives on Seoul's Bridges - TaiwanPlus
Dozens of bridges cross the Han River in Seoul. Looking over those bridges are hundreds of security cameras equipped with AI... able to detect people that look like they're going to jump. The river is a common site for suicides in South Korea, where the suicide rate is one of the highest in the world... with about 29 deaths per 100,000 people. But with these cameras installed since 2021, surveillance specialists say they've been able to get to those in need, faster... and improve their rescue rate.
New US Tariffs Keep Taiwan in Advantageous Position
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Ai Chi Publish Date - 07/25/2026
Analysis: Chinese Helicopter Flight Could Signal New Gray-Zone Strategy
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 07/22/2026 TaiwanPlus spoke with Tamkang University Assistant Professor Chieh Chung on how a recent flight by a Chinese military helicopter appears to be the first known case of a PLA helicopter not only crossing the median line in the narrow part of the strait, but also continuing eastward instead of immediately turning back.
Analysis: How China’s New Ethnic Unity Law Threatens Tibetan Identity - TaiwanPlus
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Eason Chen/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 07/17/2026
South Korea’s Market Shakes Amid AI Hype - TaiwanPlus
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Ai Chi Publish Date - 07/15/2026
Southern Taiwan Hit by Strong Gusts From Typhoon Bavi
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lily LaMattina Publish Date - 07/11/2026
Climate and Natural Disasters
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Ai Chi Publish Date - 07/10/2026 Fishers operating out of Taiwan's northern port of Keelung are rushing to secure their boats as the powerful Typhoon Bavi nears. Owners say they are worried about the storm’s size and strong winds, with crew staying onboard to prevent damage. The typhoon has forced fishing vessels to return to harbor early as Bavi moves quickly and is expected to pass to the north of Taiwan before heading toward China.
Analysis: Lawmakers Set Foot on Dongsha Island for First Time in Eight Years
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Alan Lu Publish Date - 07/09/2026 A group of Taiwanese lawmakers visited Dongsha Island on Thursday for an inspection tour, the first visit by lawmakers to the contested Taiwan-held atoll in the South China Sea in eight years. TaiwanPlus spoke with Domingo Yang, assistant research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, about the island’s importance and strategic sensitivity.
Exiled Hong Kong Activist Warns of China’s Transnational Repression - TaiwanPlus
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Simon Cheng says China's campaign of transnational repression extends far beyond its borders, affecting activists and their families even after they have sought refuge overseas. Cheng now lives in the United Kingdom and is the founder of Hong Kongers in Britain.
Race To Find Then Restore Classic Postwar Films - TaiwanPlus
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/John Van Trieste Publish Date - 07/07/2026 Film restorers are racing to find lost titles and restore damaged reels made during Taiwan's flowering postwar era of cinema. Saving Taiwan’s Lost Films REPORTER: In rural central Taiwan, a worker stacks piles of metal containers—each containing a piece of history. Supervising the work is Wang Wei, who’s been hunting for these treasures for ten years.
Climate and Natural Disasters
Continued heavy rain as Tropical Storm Mekkhala moves away from Taiwan is causing sustained flooding. Several deaths have been recorded in the south while residents in Hualien County are evacuating as a barrier lake threatens to overflow. Flood Rain Tropical Storm Torrential rain has flooded the streets of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan since Thursday... eventually shutting down work and school in the city.
Taiwan Releases New Platform To Collect Intelligence on China - TaiwanPlus
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Alan Lu Publish Date - 06/15/2026
China Expands Maritime Patrols Near Taiwan, Raising Regional Tensions
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 06/08/2026 Title: Taiwan Rebukes Beijing Over Maritime Incursions REPORTER: Taiwan’s defense ministry is rebuking Beijing for a series of incursions carried out by China’s coast guard, including Beijing’s announcement on Saturday of a “special maritime law enforcement operation.” Wellington Koo (DEFENSE MINISTER): First, this was a provocative act.
Interview: Czech Senate President on the Future of Ties With Taiwan
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Klein Wang/Cadence Quaranta Publish Date - 06/03/2026
Shangri-La Dialogue Ends Amid Growing Concerns Over China
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 05/31/2026 The 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue has concluded in Singapore after three days of discussions focused on the world's security challenges. Defense officials and military leaders from across the globe gathered amid growing concerns over conflicts in the Middle East and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Much of the forum centered on China's military expansion and its impact on regional security.
Taitung Publishes Book on Traditional Indigenous Herbal Remedies
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Laurel Stewart/Ted Chen Publish Date - 05/22/2026 Authorities in Taitung in southeastern Taiwan have published a new book titled “Healing Plants: Here All Along,” which documents how Taiwan’s Indigenous communities cultivate and use traditional medicinal plants. The guide compiles years of field research by National Taitung University researchers, who interviewed over 100 elders across 16 Indigenous communities.
Non-Native Amazon Lava Lizard Found in Hualien for First Time
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Sandy Chi Publish Date - 05/21/2026 An Amazon lava lizard has been seen in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, for the first time. The animal is not a native species and is believed to have found its way to Taiwan through imported marble shipments. Its appearance has raised concerns over a possible invasive population. Hualien Taiwan Animals lizard amazon A New Invasive Species?
Nuclear Power Issue Still Divides One Year After Last Plant Was Shuttered
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/John Van Trieste Publish Date - 05/18/2026 One year after Taiwan shut down its last nuclear plant, debate is spreading about whether to restart at least some nuclear power generation, with questions of national security, reliance on imported fuel and environmental concerns sharply dividing public opinion.
Two Military Personnel Charged With Spying in Return for Crypto
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 05/13/2026 Chinese Espionage Indictment in Taiwan REPORTER: What’s the price for loyalty to one’s country? Taiwan prosecutors say for two men accused of spying for China, it was around $2500 US dollars in cryptocurrency. They’re now being charged under Taiwan’s National Security and Anti-Corruption Acts.
Paraguayan President Received With Military Honors in Taipei
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Leslie Liao Publish Date - 05/08/2026
A Taipei Temple Celebrates the God of Medicine at Its Baosheng Festival
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 05/01/2026 Taipei’s historic Baoan Temple is celebrating the birthday of Baosheng Dadi, the 1,000-year-old deity of medicine and healing. The annual Baosheng Festival, a UNESCO-recognized event, combines centuries-old folk traditions with vibrant performances including traditional opera and the spectacular "fire lion" fireworks display.
Rescued Green Sea Turtle Returns to Ocean After Two-Year Recovery on Land
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Sandy Chi Publish Date - 04/23/2026 A green sea turtle has been returned to the sea after a long recovery on land. The turtle, who rescuers named Scone, was found floating at sea in waters off Taiwan's outlying Penghu Islands. It had injuries across its shell and fishhooks in its body. After months of rehabilitation, Scone is back home and outfitted with a tracking device to allow conservationists to follow its next chapter. Penghu Ocean Turtle Conservation
Agricultural Microbes May Cut Haze of Thailand's 'Burning Season'
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Jonathan Kaplan Publish Date - 04/22/2026
Hints of Diplomacy As Middle East War Drags On
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/John Van Trieste Publish Date - 04/15/2026 US President Donald Trump says the US and Iran could be back at the negotiating table in days, trying to end a war that's spilled over across much of the Middle East. And there's diplomacy on a second front in the war too, with neighbors Israel and Lebanon holding rare talks.
Taiwan Not Exempted From Trump's Latest Tariffs
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Leslie Liao Publish Date - 04/03/2026
Markets Rattled in Taiwan as Trump Offers Little Clarity on End to Iran Conflict
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lily LaMattina Publish Date - 04/02/2026 Taiwan’s stock market dropped after US President Donald Trump declared his campaign against Iran to be all but over, while also saying that strikes would continue for the next two to three weeks. The Taiex fell sharply, reversing earlier gains as investor optimism faded following Trump’s renewed threats.
US Senators Reinforce Support for Taiwan Defense Budget
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 04/01/2026 Four US senators have wrapped up a high-level visit to Taiwan. During their two-day visit, they endorsed President Lai Ching-te's stalled US$40 billion special defense budget proposal and urged lawmakers to pass sufficient defense funding amid growing threats from China.
US Senators Visit Taiwan, Support Lai's US$40 Billion Defense Budget Bill
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 03/30/2026 A bipartisan US Senate delegation has arrived in Taiwan, led by Senate Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, and John Curtis, a Republican. The group met President Lai Ching-te and endorsed his US$40 billion special defense budget proposal.
Middle East Conflict Disrupts Petrochemical Supplies in Taiwan, S. Korea
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Sandy Chi Publish Date - 03/26/2026
Analysis: Reforms to Japan's Armed Forces Signal Strategic Shift
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Hank Hsu/Lery Hiciano Publish Date - 03/24/2026
Suspicious Flag of Convenience Vessels Raise Security Concerns for Taiwan
Reporter/Provider - Kris Ma/Alan Lu Publish Date - 03/17/2026
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