Cross-Strait Relations

Japan and Philippines harden stance against China amid US-China detente

As Washington softens its tone on Beijing, Japan and the Philippines are tightening defence ties to counter China, forging a potent middle-power coalition in Asian waters. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more.

Han Yong Hong

05 Jun 2026

[Big read] ​After Xi-Trump summit, a jittery Taiwan takes stock

Soon after the US-China summit in Beijing, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stressed that peace in the Taiwan Strait would not be sacrificed or traded away, and called for Taiwan to bolster its national strength and cooperate closely with Taiwan’s global democratic partners. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks with academics and analyses the situation.

Miao Zong-Han

04 Jun 2026

[Video] Hegseth at Shangri-La Dialogue: Toning down US rhetoric

At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth seemed to tone down criticisms of China. Does this mean a more pragmatic, prudent approach going forward? Lianhe Zaobao China news correspondent Edwin Ong speaks to experts for their take.

Edwin Ong

02 Jun 2026

Sino-US relations after Xi-Trump summit: Towards a new stability?

If China and the US steadfastly build a “constructive relationship of strategic stability”, they would be well on their way to creating a new paradigm of major-country relations. The Beijing summit showed early signs of the two countries moving towards a more stable path, says Chinese academic Wu Xinbo.

Wu Xinbo

29 May 2026

[Photos] Witnessing history as a Taiwan reporter: Singapore in the 1980s and 1990s

How does a young Taiwanese reporter end up chasing history and love in Singapore? Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao takes a look back at the political engineering and leaders that shaped an era in Singapore, along with his personal ties to the country.

Hsu Chung-mao

29 May 2026

[Big read] Banned or not, Taiwanese keep heading to mainland China anyway

Despite restrictions on group tours, Taiwanese continue travelling to mainland China in growing numbers, driven by demand, rising costs at home and expanding unofficial travel channels. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chuang Hui Liang reports from Taipei.

Chuang Hui Liang

15 May 2026

Xi raises stakes over Taiwan, warns US of ‘clash or even conflict’

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned visiting US President Donald Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could trigger a “clash or even conflict”, as Beijing raised the stakes in US-China ties. Analysts said the wording signals heightened urgency in Beijing’s Taiwan stance. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han reports.

Miao Zong-Han

14 May 2026

Lai Ching-te’s Japan-era tribute clouds Trump-Xi summit

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s visit to honour Japanese-era engineer Yoichi Hatta at Wushantou Reservoir has triggered political backlash at home and criticism from Beijing, coming just days before the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, where Taiwan tensions loom. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks into the matter.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

12 May 2026

High ceremony, low expectations as Trump meets Xi in Beijing

Trump meets Xi in Beijing for a carefully choreographed summit dominated by trade, Taiwan and geopolitical tensions. Despite high ceremony and tightly managed optics, expectations for major breakthroughs remain limited on both sides. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei and journalist Meng Dandan break down what to expect.

Sim Tze Wei, Meng Dandan

12 May 2026

The politics of mainland spouses in Taiwan

China-born politician Li Chen-hsiu was recently expelled from Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and the Taiwan People’s Party, highlighting the plight of mainland spouses in Taiwan. The existing legal framework provides ambiguity and thus some flexibility, but the status quo is changing under a government that increasingly defines Taiwan in opposition to China. Malaysian academic Ngeow Chow Bing explores the implications of this development.

Ngeow Chow Bing

08 May 2026

Can India-Taiwan ties withstand backlash over Indian migrant workers?

While Taiwan looks for ways to diversify its labour pool with Indian workers high on that list, civil society and the opposition have come in with scaremongering tactics that may jeopardise Taiwan’s steady relations with India. Academic Ghulam Ali weighs in on the issue. 

Ghulam Ali

06 May 2026

ThinkCartoon (30 April 2026)

Heng Kim Song has been the freelance editorial cartoonist for Lianhe Zaobao since 1984. His cartoons are also featured in many major international publications including The New York Times, Asahi Shimbun, JoongAng Ilbo, South China Morning Post and Yazhou Zhoukan. His many awards include the Top Award in United Nations ESCAP’s Cartoon Competition and the Grafica Internazionale Award presented by Italian Museum of Political Satire and Caricature. Heng has also participated in many international exhibitions and events, including the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings held in Davos, Switzerland.

Heng Kim Song

30 Apr 2026