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Taiwan Receives Three New F-16V Block 70 Jets, Expanding Advanced Air Combat Capabilities

Taiwan Receives Three New F-16V Block 70 Jets, Expanding Advanced Air Combat Capabilities

Taiwan has received three additional U.S.-built F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, bringing its total new-generation Viper fleet to five aircraft. These deliveries are part of a 2019 order for 66 F-16V Block 70 jets from the United States, a deal valued at approximately $8 billion. The aircraft are manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The F-16V Block 70 is recognized as the most advanced variant of the F-16 family, featuring an AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, modernized cockpit displays, an upgraded mission computer, and an extended-life airframe. This latest delivery suggests that previous delays, attributed to supply-chain constraints and production-line bottlenecks, are being addressed. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense anticipates steady deliveries in the coming months, aiming to complete most of the order by the end of 2027. The new jets will primarily be based at southern airfields and are part of a broader program that includes new runwa...
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Report Highlights China's Role in South China Sea Stability Amidst Regional Challenges

Report Highlights China's Role in South China Sea Stability Amidst Regional Challenges

A report titled 'Global Maritime Security Report 2025-2026,' released at the seventh Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance in Sanya, China, emphasizes China's contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. Compiled by the Huayang Center with input from experts across multiple countries, including the United States, the report notes that the South China Sea has remained generally stable despite ongoing maritime conflicts and the increasing involvement of extra-regional powers. China's policy in the region involves a regular presence of its coast guard forces, the use of legal and administrative measures like establishing baselines and nature reserves to uphold its rights, and a steadfast refusal to accept the South China Sea Arbitral Award. The report also highlights China's efforts to advance consultations with ASEAN countries on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, aiming to manage maritime differences and foster regional cooperation.
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Taiwan Closes Papua New Guinea Office Amid China Pressure, Halts Aid

Taiwan Closes Papua New Guinea Office Amid China Pressure, Halts Aid

Taiwan has announced the closure of its representative office in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the recall of all assigned staff. This decision, reported by Focus Taiwan on November 6, follows repeated demands from the PNG government for the mission to be shut down. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated that the move was made to protect Taiwan's national dignity, diplomatic autonomy, and overall interests. The dispute began in July when PNG unilaterally declared the office would close, prompting Taipei to cease spot market purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from PNG. Taiwan was a significant buyer, accounting for approximately one-third of PNG's LNG exports. MOFA accused Beijing of using political pressure and economic leverage to influence other governments' diplomatic choices and to restrict Taiwan's international presence. As a result, Taiwan is also discontinuing all technical assistance and cooperation programs in PNG, including medical and technical missions, scholarship programs, and ...
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Taiwan Receives Second Batch of U.S.-Made F-16V Block 70 Fighter Jets

Taiwan Receives Second Batch of U.S.-Made F-16V Block 70 Fighter Jets

Taiwan's Air Force has received three additional U.S.-made F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, marking the second batch of a total order of 66 aircraft. The jets, with tail numbers 6729, 6731, and 6732, arrived at Chihang Air Base in Taitung County on November 8. This delivery brings the total number of F-16V Block 70 jets received by Taiwan to five, following the arrival of the first two aircraft on October 2, 2026. The F-16V Block 70 fighter jets are manufactured by Lockheed Martin at its Greenville, South Carolina facility. Taiwan's purchase is part of the 'Peace Phoenix Soaring' program, with a budget of approximately $7.7 billion allocated from 2020 to 2026. The U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of these 66 F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets to Taiwan on August 20, 2019, with an estimated total package value of $8 billion.
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Trump says FBI is looking at Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair with Chinese agent

Trump says FBI is looking at Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair with Chinese agent

President Donald Trump says Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang should not worry about the FBI looking into his affair with a Chinese government agent
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Taiwan says China is conducting 'area denial' drills in Western Pacific

Taiwan says China is conducting 'area denial' drills in Western Pacific

By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI, Nov 10 (Reuters) - China is carrying out "area denial" drills in the Western Pacific involving one of its aircraft carriers and other naval formations, Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Tuesday, following a reported rise in Chinese activities.
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Trump says FBI is looking at Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair with alleged Chinese agent

Trump says FBI is looking at Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair with alleged Chinese agent

President Donald Trump says the FBI is investigating Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s affair with an alleged Chinese government agent
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Philippines Seeks Expanded BrahMos Missile Acquisition Amid South China Sea Tensions

Philippines Seeks Expanded BrahMos Missile Acquisition Amid South China Sea Tensions

The Philippines is in advanced discussions with India to significantly increase its acquisition of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, with a potential deal valued between $700 million and $800 million. This proposed package would nearly double Manila's existing order, which was a $375 million deal in 2022 for three batteries of the shore-based, anti-ship variant of the BrahMos missile. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. indicated that Manila has provided India with a 'wish list' for modifications to better suit the country's unique infrastructure and geography, particularly concerning the movement of heavy missile equipment across its islands. The acquisition aims to bolster the Philippines' coastal defense capabilities, especially in the context of ongoing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. The BrahMos missile, co-developed by India and Russia, is a high-speed, precision, stand-off supersonic cruise missile capable of being launched from various platforms.
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A pastor at a Beijing underground church has been arrested, his wife says

A pastor at a Beijing underground church has been arrested, his wife says

Chinese authorities have arrested a pastor from a house church in Beijing, according to his wife
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China dismisses a spy plot claim involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as smear campaign

China dismisses a spy plot claim involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as smear campaign

China is denying that there is any spy plot targeting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and is calling it a smear campaign against Beijing
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China's Military Developing Advanced Weapons to Disable US Satellites, US Intelligence Warns

China's Military Developing Advanced Weapons to Disable US Satellites, US Intelligence Warns

A recent US intelligence assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) warns that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is actively developing advanced weaponry capable of disabling American military satellites. These weapons pose a significant threat to US satellite networks, which are crucial for communications, surveillance, and precision strikes. The DIA states that the PLA's primary objective is space dominance, aiming to control the space-enabled information sphere and deny adversaries their own space-based information gathering and communication capabilities. The report highlights that China is developing space-based technology, including on-orbit counterspace weapons, designed to hold space systems at risk. Furthermore, Chinese forces already possess ground-based lasers that can interfere with or damage satellites in low Earth orbit. Unlike anti-satellite missiles, which create hazardous debris, directed energy weapons can temporarily disable or permanently damage satellite equipment. ...
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U.S. Urges China to Fulfill 2025 Busan Trade Deal Commitments Amidst Ongoing Trade Tensions

U.S. Urges China to Fulfill 2025 Busan Trade Deal Commitments Amidst Ongoing Trade Tensions

U.S. Urges China to Fulfill 2025 Busan Trade Deal Commitments Amidst Ongoing Trade Tensions