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Tracey Payne

@traceypayneasi.bsky.social
112 followers 179 following 163 posts

-Observer on East Asia -Armchair expert on chairs -差不多

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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 19h
New report says the US is going to be stationing Pentagon personnel at the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense HQ long-term. def.ltn.com.tw/article/brea...
def.ltn.com.tw
獨家》台美軍事合作升級! 美五角大廈將派員長駐我國防部本部 - 自由軍武頻道
台美軍事合作將有重大升級!不僅有數百名被稱為「美語老師」的美軍教官來台部隊協助訓練,美國戰爭部(國防部)即將派出官員代表,長期在我國國防部本部駐點!根據軍方高層官員透露,金額規模達到4億7千萬元預算的「台美國防部共同合作評估案」(執行期程為115至117年度),確定會升級及擴大,美國國防部決定直接派
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 19h
Other Taiwan local election tidbits: Former KMT legislator Lu Chia-chen shows up to support Su Chiao-hu at a rally.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 19h
Taiwan local election watch (Taipei): Seems that the KMT are waking up that the Taipei race needs to be shored up. Going after Puma Shen for his proposed city education policy and a 2014 article on drug management.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The focus on the Taipei mayor race is unreal, it's sucking up all the oxygen so far. I turned on channels like SET, TVBS, CTi and it's mostly Puma Shen flooding these channels. It's almost reminiscent of the Han Kuo-yu hype back in 2018 and Ko Wen-je to a lesser extent in 2014.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Taiwan polls: New 戴立安 poll on President Lai shows him exceeding 50% trust for the first time since last April. Tsai had 25% approval going into her first term local election so this is probably good in the sense that Lai won't drag down the DPP candidates. /1
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Taiwan local election thread on some of the races: New Taipei mayor election: I dunno if DPP's 蘇巧慧 should be excited about a 5.6% poll lead over KMT's 李四川 when undecideds are 30% of the poll lol Good news for the DPP: poll favoring a change in party running Xinbei is 45% udn.com/news/story/1... /1
udn.com
年代民調領先李四川5.6個百分點 蘇巧慧競辦:各家民調趨勢一致 | 聯合新聞網
年代民調中心今天公布最新民調,民進黨新北市長參選人蘇巧慧以37.8%領先國民黨參選人李四川的32.2%,雙方差距5.6個百分點,在看好度部份,2人都是32.8%,但有44.9%民眾同意新北「換黨做做看」。蘇巧慧競選辦公室認為這與各家民調的趨勢一致。
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
On a nonpolitical sidenote: "Kind Mindfulness Team" is a hilarious English name for the KMT. It's like they gave the job of finding an English slogan to a person who doesn't know how to speak the language.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I wonder how videos on Taiwan would do on Bilibili which is directly overseen by the Chinese security apparatus...
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Performative but not much else the KMT/TPP can do. If they wanted Cho out they could vote him out in vote of no confidence, but Lai could dissolve the legislature if that happens. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
focustaiwan.tw
Opposition fast‑tracks condemnation motion against premier - Focus Taiwan
Opposition lawmakers voted Friday to fast-track a motion condemning Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) following his refusal to countersign a youth savings legislation recently passed by the Legislature, alon...
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Mildly interesting Taiwan politics: KMT candidate in Changhua is doing so poorly because the chair nominated someone without consulting the incumbent magistrate that local pols want to redo a primary poll since the DPP candidate has a big lead. news.ltn.com.tw/news/politic...
news.ltn.com.tw
卓伯源轟鄭麗文硬塞人選「霸凌」王惠美 爆料魏平政沒糧草 - 政治 - 自由時報電子報
繼彰化縣長王惠美19日臉書發文國民黨彰化縣長提名過程,表示她透過媒體報導得知魏平政獲得提名後,前彰化縣長卓伯源今天(20日)接受專訪對王惠美的發文下了「孤臣無力可回天」的註解;卓伯源說,若黨中央硬要把人選塞給王惠美,以她內柔外剛的個性,絕對不會接受;要救彰化這一局,國民黨主席鄭麗文應在登記前重新做全民調,否則若選輸,主席就該負起政治責任。卓伯源接受資深媒體人黃暐瀚廣播節目訪問談國民黨彰化縣長提名與...
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
KMT now ups the ante, saying Lai should give out 20K NTD instead of 10K NTD. I'm guessing then the KMT will use this excuse to cut or pause the defense portion of the budget yet again. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
focustaiwan.tw
KMT urges Lai to double planned cash handout to NT$20,000 - Focus Taiwan
The main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) on Tuesday urged President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to double his planned NT$10,000 (US$314) cash handout next year to NT$20,000, echoing a proposal made earlier by Taip...
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Reposted by Tracey Payne
Foreign Policy @foreignpolicy.com · 18/08/2026
World Brief: The United States scales back joint military drills with South Korea, a 60-day deadline for a U.S.-Iran deal expires, and Washington pressures Israel to accept a 15-point peace plan with Hamas. foreignpolicy.com/2026/08/17/t...
foreignpolicy.com
Is Trump Choosing North Korea Over South Korea?
The United States scales back joint military drills with Seoul to appease Pyongyang.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Lai adding this to the central government budget is an interesting move. Would mean now the ball is in the KMT controlled legislature's hands. Originally it was a KMT legislator who wanted this but seems that the central gov has forestalled his move. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
taipeitimes.com
Lai announces NT$10,000 cash handout next year - Taipei Times
The government would distribute a NT$10,000 cash handout to all citizens next year as Taiwan’s economy continues to grow, President William Lai (賴清德) said today, emphasizing that economic growth could...
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
On why the KMT is blocking the drone production. That and it will help out China.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Chinese state media saying Manila is conducting "unlawful territorial expansion" is hilarious.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
A US F-15E pilot at Kadena base with a patch showing a Taiwanese black bear punching Winnie the Pooh. They went viral a year or two back in Taiwan, interesting to see them in other countries.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has been on a quiet stream of success in terms of visits to other countries. He's managed to travel to way more countries in the past year than all of his prev counterparts in the Tsai admin combined. www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/20...
cna.com.tw
出席波台國會小組酒會 林佳龍:成立台灣語言中心 | 政治 | 中央社 CNA
外交部長林佳龍今日出席「波台國會小組」歡迎酒會,波蘭逾20名跨黨派參、眾議員出席,展現波蘭國會堅定挺台力量,強力支持台波關係深化發展。林佳龍除了誠摯感謝「波台國會小組」長年挺台,也宣布在華沙成立「台灣語言中心」。
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Cheng sounding like a generic deep blue with this. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
focustaiwan.tw
Returning to 'one China' status quo key to restarting talks: KMT head - Focus Taiwan
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) on Tuesday described the status quo in the Taiwan Strait as both sides belonging to "one China," framing that political formula as the basis for restarti...
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Taiwan's MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones have arrived. Probably useless for a hot war, but super useful for surveillance and can sit for many hours in the sky. www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/20...
cna.com.tw
首批MQ-9B高高空無人機運抵台灣 目標強化高空監偵能量 | 政治 | 中央社 CNA
為強化高空監偵能量,空軍對美軍購4架由通用原子系統公司製造的MQ-9B高高空無人機。知情人士今天透露,首批MQ-9B近期已運抵台灣,目前正由原廠及軍方進行組裝與測試,後續將擇期進行飛行測試。
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The KMT want to hand out another 10,000 NTD to everyone to offset inflation that was caused by oil prices and last year's 10,000 NTD handout. While we're at it, why not just hand out a 1 million NTD to each voter? www.setn.com/News.aspx?Ne...
setn.com
立院提「普發1萬2.0」進度曝 全台8地區先給振興金 | 生活 | 三立新聞網 SETN.COM
自2025年的全民普發1萬後,普發一萬2026便是熱門話題,由立法院多位藍委提出、被評為「普發1萬2.0」的國民支援金,目前正付委審查中。雖然國民支援金暫不明朗,不過截至6月15日,全台(含外島)有8處地方政府的發錢給鄉民尚未結束,分別為湖西鄉、西嶼鄉、富里鄉、光復鄉、銅鑼鄉、仁愛鄉、東河鄉、花壇鄉(預計6月發,暫待正式公告出爐)。
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Letting Taichung mayor and potential presidential candidate Lu Shiow-yen meet NSC officials at the WH, but straight up canceling KMT chair Cheng Li-wun's meeting after having it moved to the AIT HQ sends an interesting message. news.ltn.com.tw/news/politic...
news.ltn.com.tw
獨家》美國安會取消會晤鄭麗文 - 政治 - 自由時報電子報
原本據國民黨訪美團成員透露,鄭麗文主席一行可望在美東時間10日午後,前往美國白宮拜會國安會官員,親藍媒體也在今日有所報導。不過,據瞭解,鄭麗文一行在10日下午同時間,並未如訪團所稱出現在白宮,原訂與國安會官員的見面也在未告知原因的情況下取消。根據華府的外媒圈透露,在先前的多方洽排下,鄭麗文一行原本表定的與國安會官員會見,並不如外傳在白宮進行,而是改在AIT華府總部,見面官員也不如3月台中市長盧秀燕...
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Joyu Wang @joyuwang.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
For the first time, Taiwan fired its U.S.-supplied HIMARS launchers into the Taiwan Strait off a beach at a location deemed a potential landing point for China’s PLA. Read a @wsj.com report from on the ground: www.wsj.com/world/china/...
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Bloomberg Opinion @opinion.bloomberg.com · 07/06/2026
Hong Kong likes to portray itself as a global financial hub, but Beijing’s latest crackdown is a real stress test to that image
bloom.bg
Hong Kong’s Private Wealth Bankers Should Be Anxious
Shortly after Hong Kong narrowly overtook Switzerland as the world’s largest offshore wealth management hub, the sustainability of this business is already being called into question.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Definitely an interesting career to keep an eye on. The rise of an outsider inside the DPP. Huang Jie also isn't part of President Lai's party faction. www.cna.com.tw/news/aloc/20...
cna.com.tw
黃捷當選民進黨高雄黨部主委 持續傾聽基層聲音 | 地方 | 中央社 CNA
民進黨地方黨部2年1次黨職改選落幕,同額競選的立委黃捷以2萬6381票當選民進黨高雄市黨部主委。黃捷表示,將持續傾聽基層聲音,共同為民進黨未來發展努力。
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Regarding this round of Taiwan news gossip: Ma has definitely been less active and seemingly sidelined in the KMT within the last 2 years, dementia could be one of the reasons why: www.upmedia.mg/tw/focus/pol...
upmedia.mg
馬英九拍片否認失智後再掀風暴 楊渡重批「宦官惡僕」、王尚智也開轟 -- 上報
前總統馬英九近期健康狀況引發外界關注,妻子周美青與大姊馬以南21日罕見發出聲明,盼馬英九卸下公務與政治活動、安享晚年。不過,馬英九昨隨即拍攝影...
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
If this happens, it's a big deal for Lai. Taiwanese presidents haven't had a direct chat with their US counterparts since 1979 (publicly reported ones anyways...) President Tsai did have a call with Trump in 2016 but that was when he was president-elect. www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
straitstimes.com
Trump says he will speak with Taiwan’s President
The sitting presidents of the US and Taiwan have not spoken since 1979. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
The DPP can point out they've already listed in their party platform in 1999 that Taiwan is already independent so there's nothing to abolish? (1999 Resolution on Taiwan's Future). Presidents Tsai and Lai have already said some variation of "Taiwan is already independent" words too.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Taiwan local election thoughts: Puma Shen (沈伯洋) definitely ain't winning against Chiang Wan-an in Taipei and the DPP knows it. This election is just to give Shen an opportunity to practice in a race with national attention. www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6361229
taiwannews.com.tw
DPP outlines strategy for Taipei mayoral race | Taiwan News | May. 13, 2026 14:17
Party says Puma Shen campaign will focus on Taipei residents’ needs | May. 13, 2026 14:17
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Looks like Lai basically just tagged along on the Eswatini government plane to get there. Kind of a funny way to avoid getting your charter plane airspace blocked. I wonder if he'll just go back to Taiwan on the same plane. udn.com/news/story/6...
udn.com
兩天前曾暗示「會給大家東西」 賴總統前往史國…原來是搭這架飛機 | 聯合新聞網
賴清德總統傍晚突然透過臉書宣布,自己已經抵達史瓦帝尼展開訪問。總統府雖為公布航程細節,但從客觀證據可以 判斷得知,總統是搭乘史國副總理來台訪問的專機,一起返回史國。飛機於今天凌晨0時37分由桃園國際機
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Despite all the "good press" around KMT chair Cheng Li-wun's trip to China, polling on the favorability of the CCP in Taiwan hasn't changed unsurprisingly.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Big news for Taiwan's local industry: Looks like Taiwanese made shells/ammunition can now be used in US military logistics. And even make it's way to other US-aligned countries. def.ltn.com.tw/article/brea...
def.ltn.com.tw
台美「大口徑彈藥共同合作生產」 台灣彈藥將回銷美國丶供應友邦 - 自由軍武頻道
國防部今天公告6項已完成發價書簽署的台美軍購案,其中的「大口徑彈藥共同合作生產」案,名稱特別標註的是「共同合作生產」,政治意義十分重大,軍政人士今天指出,因為這代表著台灣正式成為美國全球軍備佈局的一環,未來在台灣生產的大口徑彈藥,將進入美軍的後勤供應鏈,甚至可在美方的規劃下,將台灣滿足防衛需求之後,
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
My prediction is the Xi-Cheng meeting will be forgotten in a week or two. And the KMT will probably win a majority of the local races again in 2026 anyways because of local politics.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Taiwan's foreign exchange reserves are now at 20 trillion NTD (605.5 billion USD), surpassing some European economies for the first time. I find it kind of funny the article took the time to mention South Korea fell out of the top 10. www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/202...
cna.com.tw
台灣外匯存底全球第7超越義法 韓國跌出前10 | 產經 | 中央社 CNA
台灣外匯存底達6055億美元(約新台幣20兆元),全球排名第7,超越義大利和法國;韓國則在美元持續走強之際動用外匯存底捍衛韓元,導致其外匯存底自2000年以來首度跌出全球前10名。
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
KMT internal politics: It's interesting that the Lu is angling to appear more moderate than Cheng Li-wun (especially with the news of Cheng's upcoming meet with Xi) which means Lu is definitely preparing for a presidential run in 2028. www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/a...
taipeitimes.com
KMT’s Lu urges passage of defense bill - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
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Jesse Johnson @jljzen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Takaichi says no current plan to deploy SDF for Hormuz escort mission www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03...
japantimes.co.jp
Takaichi says no current plan to deploy SDF for Hormuz escort mission
The prime minister said such an operation would be legally “very difficult,” adding that Japan had not been asked to join a coalition to help secure vessels in the waterway.
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Brian Hioe @brianhioe.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Looks like half of the KMT mayors are all traveling in order to shore up foreign policy credentials focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
focustaiwan.tw
New Taipei Mayor Hou visiting Australia to discuss urban development - Focus Taiwan
New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) departed for Australia on Sunday to hold discussions with local governments there on urban development, medical and public health issues, and water resource management...
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Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 16/03/2026
Dubai International Airport has temporarily suspended operations, as authorities urged passengers to avoid the airport until further notice. Follow our live blog for the latest news and market updates: ft.trib.al/J4j62rN
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Thomas Batchelor @tobbinatorscw.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
(he mentioned the word "Taiwan" during a Taiwan match)
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
So the THAAD launchers didn't actually get removed, interceptors got transported, presumably to the Middle East. www.joongang.co.kr/article/2541...
joongang.co.kr
성주 사드 반대 단체 "발사대 이어 레이더도 철수시켜라" | 중앙일보
주한미군이 경북 성주군에 배치된 고고도미사일방어(THAAD, 사드) 체계 일부를 경기 평택의 미군 오산 공군기지로 이동시킨 가운데 사드 기지 인근에서 사드 철회를 요구하는 단체들이 사드 발사대 재반입 반대와 레이더 철수를 주장하고 나섰다. 6개 사드 반대 단체로 구성된 사드철회평화회의는 11일 성명을 내고 "경북 성주 사드 기지에서 반출된 사드 발사대 6기...
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Jesse Johnson @jljzen.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Taiwan says defense budget delay jeopardizes collective deterrence against China www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02...
japantimes.co.jp
Taiwan says defense budget delay jeopardizes collective deterrence against China
Officials in Taipei say a failure to pass the government’s nearly $40 billion defense budget would “seriously weaken” the island’s defense buildup.
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Tobias Harris @tobiasharris.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
NHK confirms supermajority for LDP and Ishin.
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Jesse Johnson @jljzen.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
The last time the LDP gained 300 seats or more was in the 1986 Lower House election under Yasuhiro Nakasone, when the Upper House election was held on the same day.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Takachi's snap election gamble pays off. Exit poll has the LDP in Japan getting around 321 seats alone. Probably will have supermajority in it's coalition with JIP or close to it: newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/2...
newsdig.tbs.co.jp
【速報】自民・圧勝 与党で3分の2上回る勢い 中道は公示前の半数を下回る見通し【JNN冒頭議席予測 衆議院選挙2026】 | TBS NEWS DIG
きょう、投票が行われた第51回衆院選、出口調査などをもとにJNNがまとめた午後8時時点の予測議席数です。▼自民党        321▼日本維新の会      35▼中道改革連合      50▼国民民主党   …
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Not a big surprise, Takaichi's snap election decision will pay off. www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/a...
taipeitimes.com
Japan PM Takaichi poised for landslide election win: poll - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Taiwan's trade surplus reached new crazy heights in 2025 thanks to the AI boom and TSMC.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Chinese ambassador to Australia calling Taiwanese "terrorists". So much for the whole "both sides are one family" thing.
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Reposted by Tracey Payne
Brian Hioe @brianhioe.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Memorial plaque to the man who died trying to stop the metro attacker unveiled in Taipei Main Station focustaiwan.tw/society/2026...
focustaiwan.tw
Taipei Metro installs memorial plaque in honor of Taipei attack victim - Focus Taiwan
Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC) said Tuesday it has installed a permanent memorial plaque to honor a man who was killed while trying to stop an attacker at Taipei Main Station last month.
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Looking through the sale itself though is interesting, 82 HIMARS is quite a huge jump in Taiwan's rocket artillery force. 420 ATACMS means the US is giving out it's entire production run of them to Taiwan bc they're scheduled to stop making them soon. apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com
US announces massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion
The Trump administration has announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, a move that is sure to infuriat...
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Tracey Payne @traceypayneasi.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Despite the AI boom for Taiwan's exports: "exports to China and Hong Kong accounted for 26.8% of total shipments, the lowest share in 24 years" Big jumps in exports to US and also notably ASEAN. www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6261926
taiwannews.com.tw
Taiwan's exports to US jump 180% in November setting monthly records | Taiwan News | Dec. 10, 2025 12:53
38.1% of Taiwan's exports went to US in November, highest share since 2009 | Dec. 10, 2025 12:53
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Reposted by Tracey Payne
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Taiwan's former EU envoy Roy Lee: "There is literally no trade agenda" between the two sides "People don't want to talk about it, to get serious about how to engage with Taiwan, in a structural way so that it'll promote the interests of all sides"
asia.nikkei.com
EU missing Taiwan opportunity to avoid irking 'big friend' China: ex-envoy
Taipei's former representative in Brussels, Roy Lee, says US is 'investment black hole'
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