Taiwan

Taiwan's 2021 National Defense Report, released on Tuesday, said the Chinese military was already capable of blockading the island during a conflict.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said it was facilitating the arrival of the delegation, whose trip has been arranged by the American Institute in Taiwan.

Taiwan's biennial defense report puts a figure on the military exchanges confirmed publicly by President Tsai Ing-wen late last month.

The former secretary of state was responding to recent comments by President Biden, who said the U.S.-China relationship was about competition and not conflict.

Images "detail the construction of a sophisticated weapons test range" that "incorporates a number of simulated U.S. Navy Carrier strike group vessels as targets," Maxar Technologies said.

The Chinese Communist Party publication said tensions could lead to "a life-and-death struggle" forcing the U.S. to sacrifice "the lives of Americans."

European countries should develop ties with Taiwan that go far deeper than basic public diplomacy and economic cooperation.

A notice sent from the Commerce Ministry advised citizens to stock up in case of emergency but did not clarify that they were referring to a COVID-19 lockdown.

Though Taiwan is self-ruled, China claims it as part of its territory and has been increasingly assertive in recent months about establishing its dominance.

"Foreign forces stationed on Taiwan" was left out of a U.S. military list of circumstances in which China "has indicated it would consider the use force."

The new legislation would give the Pentagon $3 billion in annual funds for the sole purpose of arming Taiwan—if Taipei can match that special figure itself.

China is on course to double its 2020 total of flights near the island, with its aircraft on pincer-like paths around the island.

The trip was not officially confirmed until the multinational group of EU lawmakers landed in Taipei on Wednesday morning.

U.S.-Taiwan military exchanges have risen to the surface in recent months after having been considered an open secret for decades.

"If anyone still tries to challenge the one-China principle...they will only suffer an even greater defeat," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

"...if any friends or other groups can help us...we're happy to have it, but we cannot completely depend on it," Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said.

A recent "Wall Street Journal" report into Taiwan's war preparations has sent ripples through Taiwan's social and political circles.

In her first interview with international media in nearly two years, the Taiwanese leader said she had "faith" in an American response if China were to attack.

Peter Dutton's comments on Beijing and Washington drew a hawkish response from Communist Party tabloid the Global Times.

The battery-powered lower-body suit could one day help soldiers lift weights of up to 220 pounds, according to a member of the team behind it.

Plans emerged as Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu made closely watched visits to Slovakia and the Czech Republic this week.

The episode, which aired late on Sunday in the United States, dropped shortly after Xi Jinping had given a lengthy speech about China at the United Nations.

The damning report found many conscripts and reserves who felt their short duration of training left them and their countrymen unprepared for conflict.

The Chinese leader spoke at length on Monday as the Biden administration began work to help Taiwan's future participation at the United Nations.

Regular military operations returned to the skies southwest of Taiwan following a brief period of quiet in which China sent just four flights in 11 days.

The Chinese publication said "the U.S. will become a historic sinner that further undermines world unity" by backing Taiwan at the United Nations.

President Joe Biden stirred controversy Thursday when he said the U.S. has a "commitment" to defend Taiwan against a potential Chinese attack.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was committed to "the Three Assurances" and "Six Communiques," while he actually meant the Three Communiques and Six Assurances.

"The complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and it will definitely be fulfilled," Ma Xiaoguang of China's Taiwan Affairs Office said.

"Nobody wants to see cross-Strait issues come to blows—certainly not President Biden, and there's no reason that it should," Austin said.