Beijing slams US over Taiwan warning
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
Three U.S. senators are visiting Taiwan this week to discuss a range of issues, including trade, security, and regional concerns, as Taiwan continues its tariff talks with Washington.
The delegation, comprising two Republican senators, Pete Ricketts and Ted Budd, and Democratic Senator Chris Coons, will be in Taiwan until Saturday.
The American Institute in Taiwan, which functions as the U.S. de facto embassy in the region, confirmed the visit on Wednesday. This marks the first visit by U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan since President Donald Trump took office in January. Although U.S. lawmakers frequently visit Taiwan, this trip carries significant symbolic weight given the ongoing discussions about Taiwan's trade relations with the U.S. and the broader geopolitical context.
Taiwan's government is currently engaged in tariff talks with the U.S., particularly as the island had been set to face a 32% tariff under Trump’s now paused tariff regime. Taiwan held its first round of direct talks with U.S. officials last week regarding this issue.
The U.S. delegation will engage in high-level discussions with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and other senior leaders. According to the American Institute in Taiwan, the meetings will focus on U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other important matters of mutual interest. The visit underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to its partnership with Taiwan and the goal of strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In a statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry emphasized the importance of the visit, noting that the senators will discuss the "close partnership" between the two nations, the security situation in the Taiwan Strait, and efforts to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Ricketts, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, is expected to play a key role in shaping discussions on security and trade matters during the visit.
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. remains Taiwan's most important international ally and arms supplier, and this visit further solidifies the enduring strength of their relationship amid increasing tensions in the region.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his fifth victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The death toll from a quarry collapse in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 19, with six people still missing, officials said on Sunday.
Ukraine has outlined its formal negotiating framework ahead of planned peace talks with Russia, set to take place on June 2 in Istanbul, according to a full document seen by Reuters.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment