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Thompson Chau

@thomchau.bsky.social
127 followers 26 following 108 posts

Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club Chair | Nikkei Asia Correspondent | Formerly Myanmar, Thailand | Usual caveats

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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Taiwanese foreign minister Lin Chia-lung launched a new quasi-diplomatic mission in Arizona during a visit to the US, as Taiwan rapidly expands its semiconductor business footprint stateside. TSMC’s investment in Arizona is the single largest FDI in American history. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan's top diplomat launches new mission in Arizona
Taipei rides booming chip investment as it strives to extend reach
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Reposted by Thompson Chau
Brian Hioe @brianhioe.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
BREAKING: Taipei BDSM-themed gay bar Commander D raided by police this afternoon. According to this report, police claimed to have a warrant but didn't show it, and made discriminatory comments toward disabled individuals tw.news.yahoo.com/%E7%8D%A8-%E...
tw.news.yahoo.com
獨/北市警突襲搜索同志酒吧!嗆不爽去告
[NOWNEWS今日新聞]台北市知名BDSM酒吧CommanderD今(3)下午遭北市警萬華分局西門町派出所突襲搜索,聲稱持搜索票但拒絕出示給現場民眾,對於現場有身心障礙人士甚至涉嫌歧視稱「殘障也可以...
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The development push, driven by government procurement, seeks to strengthen deterrence against invasion and blockade threats posed by China’s naval and coast guard fleets, the largest in the world by hull count. 2/2 asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan taps US tech for sea drones to fend off China's vast maritime fleet
Tie-ups target nascent industry driven by navy, coast guard procurement plans
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Taiwan is combining traditional shipbuilding expertise with US software and other technology to make sea drones, as intensifying Chinese pressure raises the stakes for maritime security in the region. @asia.nikkei.com 1/2 asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan taps US tech for sea drones to fend off China's vast maritime fleet
Tie-ups target nascent industry driven by navy, coast guard procurement plans
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Michael Turton @michaelturton.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Another important report from Asia Nikkei asia.nikkei.com/politics/int... #Taiwan
asia.nikkei.com
Foreign envoys in Taiwan warn rules of game at sea are being challenged
US top diplomat sees 'greater strides' on energy security than many realize
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Britain’s de facto ambassador Ruth Bradley-Jones offered a few prescriptions for Taiwan to strengthen its maritime resilience: integration between govt departments, between industry and govt, and between tech and human resources, and the shipping insurance sector. 2/2 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Foreign envoys in Taiwan warn rules of game at sea are being challenged
US top diplomat sees 'greater strides' on energy security than many realize
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
De facto ambassadors from Britain, the EU and the US - Ruth Bradley-Jones, Lutz Guellner and Raymond Greene - shared the stage to talk about Taiwan’s energy and maritime security as well as FIMI and election interference. 1/2 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Foreign envoys in Taiwan warn rules of game at sea are being challenged
US top diplomat sees 'greater strides' on energy security than many realize
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has confirmed Nikkei Asia’s reporting on plans to open a second quasi-diplomatic mission in the Philippines, while China reacted with a sharp condemnation. The establishment of a new mission in Cebu is “in progress”, Lin said. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan confirms new Philippines office in works, China says move 'doomed'
Initiative pushes back against Beijing's pressure on Taipei's overseas missions
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Mini scoop by @asia.nikkei.com about plans for Taiwan to open a second quasi-diplomatic mission in the Philippines has gone viral! According to three Asian and Western officials, the new mission will be set up in the southern province of Cebu. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan to open new Philippines mission in diplomatic push, sources say
Office in Cebu planned as Southeast Asia is increasingly split by China pressure
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Nikkei Asia (Official) @asia.nikkei.com · 14/09/2026
Good morning, America. This was our most read story while you were sleeping. Taiwan to open new Philippines mission in diplomatic push, sources say trib.al/9vT4RzD
trib.al
Taiwan to open new Philippines mission in diplomatic push, sources say
Office in Cebu planned as Southeast Asia is increasingly split by China pressure
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 14/09/2026
Nikkei Asia: Taiwan to open new Philippines mission in diplomatic push, sources say – ‘the new mission will be set up in the southern province of Cebu. Taiwan already operates a “Taipei Economic and Cultural Office” in Manila’ ‘will make up for the loss of one in Papua New Guinea’
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan to open new Philippines mission in diplomatic push, sources say
Office in Cebu planned as Southeast Asia is increasingly split by China pressure
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Nikkei Asia (Official) @asia.nikkei.com · 08/09/2026
Taiwan aerospace contractor zeroes in on countermeasures to China's drones asia.nikkei.com/business/aerospace-…
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan aerospace contractor zeroes in on countermeasures to China's drones
AIDC exec stresses need to create dedicated, low-cost shield
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Michael Turton @michaelturton.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Meanwhile, for those in search of intelligent reporting, Asia Nikkei on Taiwan drone firms and their search for drone countermeasures. asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan aerospace contractor zeroes in on countermeasures to China's drones
AIDC exec stresses need to create dedicated, low-cost shield
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
But notably Tsai offered a less upbeat take of Japan-Taiwan drone ties. “I haven’t felt any change from Japan yet, because they’re still very conservative… Our countermeasures system is something we really hope to use to enter the Japanese market.” 3/3 asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan aerospace contractor zeroes in on countermeasures to China's drones
AIDC exec stresses need to create dedicated, low-cost shield
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
For Taiwan, the key to success in counter-drone systems is cost, Tsai argued. “Your missiles and weapon systems are designed to target high-cost weapons,” he said. “This is why countermeasure systems are so important in the current defence posture.” 2/3 asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan aerospace contractor zeroes in on countermeasures to China's drones
AIDC exec stresses need to create dedicated, low-cost shield
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
From Taichung: Taiwan’s top aerospace contractor AIDC is expanding its portfolio beyond aircraft manufacturing and into counter-drone systems. Taiwan needs to counter UAS as China is heavily advancing drones, AIDC SVP Alex Tsai told @asia.nikkei.com. 1/3 asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan aerospace contractor zeroes in on countermeasures to China's drones
AIDC exec stresses need to create dedicated, low-cost shield
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The KMT’s proposal would split NT$240 billion evenly over 6 years as part of the annual budget, led by the economic affairs ministry. The focus would be aerial drones, unmanned surface + underwater vessels, and unmanned ground vehicles, with localisation requirements. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan drone strategy caught in legislature's budget battles
Lai administration and KMT-led opposition push rival plans
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Taiwan’s duelling political parties are stepping up the next phase of their battle, focused on how Taiwan should fund and develop its drone industry amid China’s military buildup and the rapid evolution of modern warfare. @asia.nikkei.com asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
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Brian Hioe @brianhioe.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Interesting to note how the NSC is civilian-led at present, at a time when the Minister of National Defense is also a civilian
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan's security council quietly steps up as architect of China strategy
Presidential agency steers defense and resilience reforms, conducts key diplomacy
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 23/08/2026
Nikkei Asia: ‘Officials from major powers in the Group of Seven and Europe increasingly recognize the value of communicating and working with the NSC, Nikkei Asia understands.’
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan's security council quietly steps up as architect of China strategy
Presidential agency steers defense and resilience reforms, conducts key diplomacy
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 23/08/2026
Nikkei Asia: Taiwan’s National Security Council quietly steps up as architect of China strategy – ‘key policy architect driving military and civil defense reforms meant to establish asymmetric warfare capabilities and boost “whole of society” resilience. It is also coordinating across ministries’
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan's security council quietly steps up as architect of China strategy
Presidential agency steers defense and resilience reforms, conducts key diplomacy
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Taiwan wraps up an intense stretch of combat drills and civil defence tests. @yehaoqin.bsky.social: “Han Kuang should be judged… more as a stress test of Taiwan’s ability to keep fighting, keep governing and keep society functioning under pressure.” asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan drills send 'serious' message with more realism, internet throttling
As 10 days of exercises wrap up, observers see progress but warn of hybrid threats
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Wu: “As China tries to intimidate its neighbors… they blame the victims - Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. They blame Taiwan for being provocative when we are only trying to protect or safeguard what we already have, namely our freedom and sovereignty.” asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-pic...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan security chief says China's 'hybrid warfare' tests whole region
Joseph Wu welcomes Tokyo-Manila cooperation as Beijing expands maritime pressure
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Joseph Wu articulated Taiwan’s view of the dynamics in the region: “Warming ties between Japan and the Philippines are a natural reaction to Chinese expansionism.” It is “heartening” to see neighbours taking China’s military threat much more seriously. asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-pic...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan security chief says China's 'hybrid warfare' tests whole region
Joseph Wu welcomes Tokyo-Manila cooperation as Beijing expands maritime pressure
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
China’s deployment of coast guard vessels to enforce its territorial claims and rebrand maritime aggression as routine police work presents a fresh challenge for the whole region, Taiwan’s National Security Council SG Joseph Wu warned in a rare exclusive interview. asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-pic...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan security chief says China's 'hybrid warfare' tests whole region
Joseph Wu welcomes Tokyo-Manila cooperation as Beijing expands maritime pressure
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Michael Turton @michaelturton.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Important interview from one of the best media orgs covering Taiwan asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-pic...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan security chief says China's 'hybrid warfare' tests whole region
Joseph Wu welcomes Tokyo-Manila cooperation as Beijing expands maritime pressure
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Last week, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen for a members-only briefing on semiconductors, AI, robotics, satellite communication, international cooperation and Taiwan’s economic transformation. Photos: @mikg.bsky.social
NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wenThe crowd at the eventNSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wenCrowd at the event
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Taiwan’s economy grew 12.92% on the year in the second quarter, the Taiwanese statistics agency said, driven by the AI boom and thriving trade and investment ties with the US. This makes Taiwan a standout performer among advanced economies. @asia.nikkei.com asia.nikkei.com/economy/taiw...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan GDP grows nearly 13% in Q2, supercharged by AI and US ties
Lai administration faces challenge of addressing economic imbalances
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Taiwan has loosened rules on foreign ownership of satellite operators, potentially opening the door for Elon Musk’s Starlink amid concerns that communications could be cut off by China. With comments from NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen and US-Taiwan Business Council asia.nikkei.com/business/tel...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan eases rules on foreign telecom satellites, eyes Musk's Starlink
Taipei signals security a key consideration; China lobs rhetorical warning shot
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Taiwan’s drive to build its robotics industry will strengthen its AI tech supply chain while easing the strains of an aging society, NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen said at a @taiwanfcc.bsky.social briefing, drawing a distinction from China’s military-oriented approach. asia.nikkei.com/business/tec...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan to push advanced robotics on distinct path from China: tech czar
Wu Cheng-wen says industry will strengthen AI supply chain, aid aging society
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Tomorrow afternoon (July 10) the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club will organize a panel discussion with I-Chen Liu of @article19.bsky.social, @matejsimalcik.bsky.social of @ceias-eu.bsky.social and @athenaktong.bsky.social as our panellists
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
A Western diplomat described a deepening strategic predicament for Taiwan: “China has been tightening the proverbial screws on all fronts. Any response by Taiwan will lead China to double down… Not responding is akin to giving up existing positions.” 2/2 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
China's sea patrols and lawfare tighten 'all fronts' squeeze on Taiwan
Observers warn of narrowing strategic space for Lai and Taipei's friends
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Evolving forms of China’s diplomatic, political, legal and maritime pressure are hitting Taiwan all at once, officials and diplomats warn, constricting Taipei’s strategic options. The challenges are compounded by political chaos at home and US uncertainty. 1/2 asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
China's sea patrols and lawfare tighten 'all fronts' squeeze on Taiwan
Observers warn of narrowing strategic space for Lai and Taipei's friends
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Interview with Kakuya Iwata, executive director of the Japan UAS Industry Development Association (JUIDA): Iwata said “regulatory and government policies are still far behind and slow to catch up” despite strong momentum in Japan-Taiwan cooperation. asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-pic...
asia.nikkei.com
Drone industry leader urges Japan and Taiwan to get on same regulatory page
Government policies lag behind business links, Japanese association chief says
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
For more photos and information about our briefing with President Lai, please check the link below 👇
linkedin.com
The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club co-organized a briefing with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te on Thursday, which was attended by correspondent members from all over the world. This marked the…...
The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club co-organized a briefing with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te on Thursday, which was attended by correspondent members from all over the world. This marked the ...
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club co-organized a briefing with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te on Thursday. This marked the first TFCC briefing with this country’s incumbent head of state in many years. The president’s opening remarks: english.president.gov.tw/News/7169#new
Assembled journalists at the eventPresident Lai Ching-te giving his commentsTFCC president Thompson Chau (left) and President Lai Ching-te (right)Lai greeting journalists at the event
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Japan’s de facto embassy in Taipei said it “understands that Chinese Coast Guard vessels navigated in Japan’s EEZ south of Yonaguni Island, making their own assertions regarding the area.” “The Japanese government does not accept such activities by the Chinese side.” asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
China's 'law enforcement' in waters east of Taiwan draws pushback
Taipei calls Japan-Philippines talks a 'pretext' as US and Europe rebuke Beijing
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
China’s maritime operations to the east of Taiwan, ostensibly in response to Japan-Philippines sea boundary talks, are raising concerns. In Kaohsiung, Nikkei Asia spoke to Ocean Affairs Council deputy minister Sung Chen-en about Taiwan’s worries and collision risks. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
China's 'law enforcement' in waters east of Taiwan draws pushback
Taipei calls Japan-Philippines talks a 'pretext' as US and Europe rebuke Beijing
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Taiwan’s military is holding a five-day combat readiness exercise this week in a shift toward more realistic, less scripted drills amid growing concern over Chinese manoeuvres. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan launches five-day 'immediate combat readiness' drill
Exercise aims for more realistic practice of rapid deployment in a crisis
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
In a rare briefing with @taiwanfcc.bsky.social, President Lai Ching-te said that #Taiwan’s drive to safeguard its security and democratic way of life, and its refusal to accept CCP rule, should not be seen as a provocation against China or as being a troublemaker. asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan's refusal to accept China's rule isn't a 'provocation,' Lai says
President hopes for US arms approval 'soon,' says homegrown defense 'equally important'
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Taiwan is stepping up efforts to strengthen partnerships with the Philippines and neighbouring nations to push back against China’s maritime pressure, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung at a @taiwanfcc.bsky.social briefing. “China is weaponising almost everything.” asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com
Taiwan's top diplomat seeks tighter Philippine ties against China coercion
Foreign minister says democracies must not 'turn blind eye' as Beijing steps up pressure at sea
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club will organize a conversation with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung and International Cooperation and Development Fund Secretary General Huang Yu-Lin on June 17. Taiwan’s national aid agency TaiwanICDF marks its 30th anniversary this year.
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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Nascent cooperation between Japan and Taiwan on drones is budding as both face the challenge of reducing China’s dominance and cost advantages. Since 2020, companies, industry groups etc have signed 15 deals, according to thinktank DSET’s analysis. asia.nikkei.com/business/aer...
asia.nikkei.com
Led by industry, Japan and Taiwan plant seeds of drone cooperation
Tokyo and Taipei eager to reduce exposure to China, but have long way to go
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The session was moderated by TFCC chair and Nikkei Asia correspondent @thomchau.bsky.social. Photos by @demesdavid.bsky.social
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
To mark the second anniversary of President Lai taking office, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted a panel discussion this week. Amb. Roy Lee, political scientist Chen Fang-yu, and TPP legal counsel Ann Lai weighed in on Lai’s performance so far.
The panel in front, audience members at the event behindAnn Lai (left) and Thompson Chau (right)Chen Fang-yu (left) and Roy Lee (right)The panel assembled for a group photo
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
President Lai Ching-te is approaching the end of his second year in office. On Monday (May 18), the TFCC will organize a panel about the progress and setbacks for Lai and his rivals. We’ll be joined by Amb Roy Lee, TPP’s legal counsel Ann Lai and Chen Fang-yu of US Taiwan Watch
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
On May 13 the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club will be hosting Kuomintang bigwig Jaw Shau-Kong for a members-only fireside chat. One of the most well-known figures in Taiwan politics and the Chinese-speaking world, Jaw served as a minister, legislator, and TV show host.
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Ocean Affairs Council Deputy Minister Sung Chen-en also joined the briefing and delivered a presentation. The session was moderated by TFCC Chair and Nikkei Asia correspondent @thomchau.bsky.social Photos by William Chen
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Earlier this month, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club hosted Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling for an exclusive briefing. Kuan outlined Taiwan’s maritime security strategy from protecting undersea cables to countering Beijing’s coercion and Coast Guard reforms.
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Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) @taiwanfcc.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
This Wednesday, the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club will be hosting a book talk with Taiwan expert and ex-intelligence officer J. Michael Cole, author of The Taiwan Tinderbox. The session will be moderated by TFCC board director and Domino Theory reporter @imtienyikrislih.bsky.social
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