Taiwan

China’s large-scale Joint Sword drill, launched yesterday in response to President Lai's remarks in his 10 October speech about Taiwan not being subordinate, was quickly ended. Pro-unification posts on Weibo were also quickly removed. Meanwhile, Chunghwa Telecom has announced that its communication satellites will cover the entire island 24 hours a day by the end of the month, making it less reliant on submarine cables.

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong participates as papal legate in the Fifth National Eucharistic Congress, which has as its theme of “Fraternity heals everything”.

Today's news: 3477 displaced, including 1485 children, in attacks by Israeli security forces in the West Bank since 7 October; Risk of new pandemic from Chinese mammal farms, new viruses ready to jump species; The head of the Election Commission in Bangladesh resigns;Kuala Lumpur continues explorations in disputed area of.the China Sea.

Today's news: Kuki drone attack on security forces in Manipur; The UN launched the anti-polio vaccination campaign in Gaza; The Japanese Defence Minister aims at a record allocation of funds for the next fiscal year; China's strengthens relations with Turkmenistan over gas deliveries.

Today's news: eight Taiwanese soldiers jailed for pro-China espionage; Hundreds of migrants from Asia stranded at São Paulo airport in Brazil; At least 15 dead and 4.5 million affected by floods in Bangladesh; It is less dangerous for airlines to fly over Afghanistan than the Middle East, security and screening concerns remain; Delegation from Laos to Moscow for International Buddhist Forum visits Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

A new book presented today at the Rimini Meeting recounts the reality of the island from the faces of its people and the missionary experience of the St. Charles Borromoeo Fraternity. Extracts from the preface, written by our editorial director: “In Taiwan we experience many things that seem to us like pages from the Gospel.”

Today's headlines: The Philippines, the US, Canada, and Australia hold a two-day exercise in the South China Sea. Taiwan’s defence spending is expected to reach a record high next year. Hamas appoints Yahya Sinwar as its new leader. In South Korea, climate change is disrupting agriculture with new banana and papaya farms popping up.

In May 2025, Taiwan could become the first East Asian country with no nuclear energy, upholding a pledge made after Fukushima. However, tensions with Beijing have raised concerns about supplies. Opposition parties are pressing to reopen the issue. Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China has started work on two new reactors, for a total of 26 under construction.

Called Gaemi in neighbouring countries, the typhoon is now moving over Taiwan. At least 13 people have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced in the flooded area that coincides with large parts of the large suburbs of the Philippine capital. People are reported still waiting for rescue on rooftops. Prayers for the rains to stop.

Today's news: Beijing breaks off talks with the US on nuclear arms control in Taiwan. The Knesset rejects the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry on 7 October, satisfied Netanyahu. Japanese PM apologised to victims of forced sterilisation. Indian economy has the fastest growth rate among emerging nations.

The government has launched a plan to promote milk among 1.34 million children aged 3 to 12, in kindergartens and elementary schools. Milk was never popular among the Chinese, but its consumption has seen fairly strong growth in recent years.

Today's news: partial IDF withdrawal from Gaza after a week-long offensive; Kathmandu towards new coalition government following parliamentary no-confidence vote for K.P. Sharma Oli; Thailand increases visa-free countries to 93 to boost tourism (and trade); 'Wandering' monk Thich Minh Tue reappears after a month.