Taiwan

Taiwan's economy is booming on AI-driven semiconductor demand, with TSMC reporting record revenue and planning a further $100 billion U.S. investment. Price hikes loom for chips and equipment, while the central bank chief warns of an AI bubble.

• 16TSMC to Invest a Further $100 Billion in U.S. After AI Fuels Surge in Earnings
• 5Foxconn second-quarter revenue jumps, company cautions on geopolitics
• 3Hitachi and Toshiba ship new bullet trains to Taiwan after years of talks
• 3TSMC to raise chipmaking prices by up to 10% in 2027, Nikkei Asia reports
• 3ASML Plans Price Increases for Chipmaking Equipment, Despite TSMC Resistance

Cross-strait political friction dominates, with China criticizing U.S. involvement and Taiwan's separatist acts, while Japan and China hold talks after a Taiwan-related spat. Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Filipinos and welcomes Papua New Guinea's closure of Taipei office.

• 6Xi highlights CPC's unshakable commitment to resolving Taiwan question, realizing China's complete reunification - news.cgtn.com
• 3Mainland justifies coast guard patrols near Taiwan
• 2Taiwan personnel's attempts to seek spotlight at various events and engage in separatist acts are doomed to fail: FM spokesperson
• 2Japan, China foreign ministers chat, 1st since spat over Taiwan began - Japan Wire by Kyodo News
• 2‘Tara, Taiwan!’ Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Filipinos until July 2027

Security tensions escalate as China conducts coast guard patrols and live-fire drills near Taiwan, while Taiwan responds with military exercises and counter-patrols. U.S. officials urge Taiwan to become a drone 'hornet's nest,' and Congress approves defense funding.

• 13China Coast Guard patrols east of Taiwan amid rising tensions
• 11US diplomat urges Taiwan to become drone 'hornet's nest'
• 6Nvidia Employee Detained by Taiwan in China Chip Smuggling Probe
• 4Taiwan military resumes 'anti-communist' classes for graduates, citing Chinese threat
• 3US Congress approves money for Taiwan defense. Does it mean Trump is done hesitating?

Typhoon Bavi dominates societal concerns, forcing mass evacuations after killing 15 in the Philippines. Cross-strait societal issues persist with reports of Taiwanese missing or detained in China, alongside cultural exchanges and disaster aid to Japan.

• 21Typhoon Bavi approaches Taiwan after killing 15 in Philippines
• 2Rise in number of Taiwanese going missing or being detained in China sparks concern in Taiwan - The Straits Times
• 1Taiwanese President Lai to donate ¥1 million to quake-hit Kumamoto
• 1Kumamoto Earthquake Draws Global Media Coverage and Condolences
• 1Search for remains of Japanese war dead begins in Taiwan