Exclusive: Chinese officials are using a ‘highly specific’ interpretation of EU rules to suggest Taiwanese figures should not be granted visas, officials say Chinese officials have been pushing “legal advice” on European countries, saying their own border laws require them to ban entry to Taiwanese politicians, according to more than half a dozen diplomats and officials familiar with the matter. The officials made demarches to European embassies in Beijing, or through local embassies directly to European governments in their capital cities, warning the European countries not to “trample on China’s red lines”, according to the European diplomats and ministries who spoke to the Guardian. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Chinese officials are using a ‘highly specific’ interpretation of EU rules to suggest Taiwanese figures should not be granted visas, officials say

Taipei condemns exercise that Chinese army calls ‘a stern warning against “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and external interference forces’ China has launched live-fire military drills around Taiwan, in what it calls a warning to “separatist” forces in Taiwan and “external interference” by foreign parties. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) – the military wing of the ruling Communist party in China – said it had sent naval, air force and rocket forces to surround Taiwan on Monday morning. Continue reading...

Liu De-wen operates at a sensitive space in Taiwan’s history, as Beijing demands reunification with the island

One month after the deadly fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Nov 26, survivors are still reeling from the psychological trauma of losing their homes and loved ones while struggling to adapt...

Elections will be first since military seized power in 2021, but analysts say vote is far from a step toward democracy

The Department of Homeland Security has dropped its plan to deport a Chinese national who entered the country illegally after his plight raised public concerns that the man, if deported, would be puni...

Church leaders and members detained as government tightens controls on underground Christian gatherings

In Nayrab, a town near the Syrian city of Idlib, the family of Ahmed al-Ahmed have been overwhelmed by the global response to his act of bravery

Progressing from child labourer to billionaire, Lai used his power and wealth to promote democracy, which ultimately pitted him against authorities in Beijing

Verdicts on foreign collusion and sedition charges were city’s most closely watched rulings in decades

Incarcerated activist and media owner has been on trial for more than two years on national security charges * Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong judges set to rule on national security charges The three high court judges have entered the courtroom and taken their seats. The hearing is due to begin and Lai has entered the court, news reports are saying, adding that he waved to his family. Continue reading...

The pain is visceral, but civil society, media and the creative community have been in retreat since the 2019 pro-democracy protests, says author Antony Dapiran

Hundreds remain missing in Indonesia and Sri Lanka as rescue efforts continue after Cyclone Ditwah

With the blaze extinguished but hundreds still unaccounted for, the city is grieving – with questions being raised of authorities

With the blaze extinguished but hundreds still unaccounted for, the city is grieving – with questions being raised of authorities

With the blaze extinguished but hundreds still unaccounted for, the city is grieving – with questions being raised of authorities

As apartment complex still blazes more than 24 hours after fire began, police suspect cause is owing to ‘grossly negligent’ action

Three construction industry employees arrested after police allege unsafe scaffolding materials may have been behind fire’s rapid spread

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Japan’s hawkish new PM has angered Beijing after suggesting her country could become involved in a military conflict between China and Taiwan

Exclusive: Vincent Karremans says six-week row with Beijing that threatened global car production is ‘wake-up call’

Posts from women seeking like-minded parents to share a home and child-rearing responsibilities are appearing on social media

Posts from women seeking like-minded parents to share a home and child-rearing responsibilities are appearing on social media

Residents of Vila Cruzeiro gather bodies after more than 130 were killed in pre-dawn assault

The Velvet Sundown released two albums before admitting their music, images and backstory were created by AI

Film-maker tells the public to stop sending her videos, saying: ‘You’re not making art, you’re making disgusting, over-processed hotdogs out of the lives of human beings’ Zelda Williams, the daughter of the late actor and comedian Robin Williams, has spoken out against AI-generated content featuring her father. “Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad,” Zelda wrote in an Instagram story on Monday. “Stop believing I wanna see it or that I’ll understand, I don’t and I won’t. If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen way worse, I’ll restrict and move on. But please, if you’ve got any decency, just stop doing this to him and to me, to everyone even, full stop. It’s dumb, it’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want. Continue reading...

Person who was thought to have received intelligence is understood to be Cai Qi, de facto chief of staff to Xi Jinping

Trains packed with volunteers arrive at tourist town of Guangfu, days after typhoon sent millions of tonnes of mud and water crashing through its streets

The death of Jerome Cohen last week at the age of 95 prompted a wave of tributes to the legendary professor of Chinese law. Outside legal circles, Cohen may have been best known for his involvement in...