WEATHER ALERT
Typhoon Kong-rey hits Taiwan's east coast, leaving 1 dead, hundreds injured
Read full article: Typhoon Kong-rey hits Taiwan's east coast, leaving 1 dead, hundreds injuredA powerful typhoon made landfall in Taiwan, killing one person and bringing high winds and floods to much of the island’s east coast and northern areas.
Former Taiwan leader Tsai to visit Czech Republic, other European destinations, drawing China's ire
Read full article: Former Taiwan leader Tsai to visit Czech Republic, other European destinations, drawing China's ireFormer Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen is to visit Czech Republic, and other European destinations, drawing China’s ire.
Work and travel resume across Taiwan after Typhoon Krathon finally dissipates
Read full article: Work and travel resume across Taiwan after Typhoon Krathon finally dissipatesWork, classes and flights resumed across Taiwan after Typhoon Krathon brought torrential rainfall to the island but finally dissipated over a mountain range.
Taiwan hospital fire leaves at least 9 dead as typhoon batters island's south
Read full article: Taiwan hospital fire leaves at least 9 dead as typhoon batters island's southAuthorities report at least nine people have died in a fire at a hospital in the island's south that is being battered by a typhoon.
2 dead and thousands evacuated as a typhoon approaches Taiwan
Read full article: 2 dead and thousands evacuated as a typhoon approaches TaiwanAn approaching typhoon bringing strong winds and torrential rainfall to Taiwan has killed two people and injured more than 100 people over the past few days while forcing thousands to evacuate from low-lying or mountainous areas.
Taiwan shuts schools and offices ahead of likely direct hit from powerful typhoon
Read full article: Taiwan shuts schools and offices ahead of likely direct hit from powerful typhoonTaiwan has canceled dozens of flights, closed schools and offices and evacuated hundreds from vulnerable areas around the island ahead of a strong typhoon expected to hit its heavily populated western coast.
Pacific leaders' summit erases mention of Taiwan after Chinese anger, fracturing a shaky accord
Read full article: Pacific leaders' summit erases mention of Taiwan after Chinese anger, fracturing a shaky accordTurmoil over China’s influence in the affairs of South Pacific island nations has flared as it emerged that a Pacific leader at the region’s most important diplomatic summit apparently pledged to erase an affirmation of Taiwan’s involvement in the meeting from its closing statement.
Chinese leader Xi meets US national security adviser as the two powers try to avoid conflict
Read full article: Chinese leader Xi meets US national security adviser as the two powers try to avoid conflictChinese leader Xi Jinping has met with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan as the latter wound up a three-day visit to Beijing with the stated aim of keeping communications open in a relationship that has become increasingly tense in recent years.
China and the US will plan a Biden-Xi call in the coming weeks, the White House says
Read full article: China and the US will plan a Biden-Xi call in the coming weeks, the White House saysThe White House says Beijing and Washington will plan for a phone call in the coming weeks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden.
Lake Mary, Florida, rallies to beat Taiwan 2-1 in 8 innings to win Little League World Series title
Read full article: Lake Mary, Florida, rallies to beat Taiwan 2-1 in 8 innings to win Little League World Series titleLathan Norton scored from second base on an overthrow at first as Lake Mary, Florida, rallied Sunday to beat Taiwan 2-1 in eight innings and claim the Little League World Series championship.
Striking out 12, Taiwan defeats Venezuela 4-1 in the Little League World Series semifinal
Read full article: Striking out 12, Taiwan defeats Venezuela 4-1 in the Little League World Series semifinalTaiwan beat Venezuela 4-1 in the championship game of the international bracket at the Little League World Series.
Palau's president says China is weaponizing lucrative tourism over his refusal to break Taiwan ties
Read full article: Palau's president says China is weaponizing lucrative tourism over his refusal to break Taiwan tiesPalau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. says Beijing weaponizes tourism to the Pacific Island archipelago in an effort to force it to sever ties with Taiwan.
Boxer Lin Yu-ting wins gold, following Imane Khelif to conclude an Olympics filled with scrutiny
Read full article: Boxer Lin Yu-ting wins gold, following Imane Khelif to conclude an Olympics filled with scrutinyBoxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan won a gold medal in the women’s featherweight division at the Paris Olympics.
Mudslide kills 15 people near tourist site in China as rains from tropical storm Gaemi drench region
Read full article: Mudslide kills 15 people near tourist site in China as rains from tropical storm Gaemi drench regionChinese state media say 15 people were killed after a mudslide hit a homestay house in a mountainous tourist area as heavy rains drenched southeastern China.
Typhoon Gaemi weakens to a tropical storm as it moves inland carrying rain toward central China
Read full article: Typhoon Gaemi weakens to a tropical storm as it moves inland carrying rain toward central ChinaWhat was Typhoon Gaemi has weakened to a severe tropical storm and is moving inland toward central China on after making landfall Thursday night on the east coast.
Typhoon Gaemi hits China's coast after leaving 25 dead in Taiwan and the Philippines
Read full article: Typhoon Gaemi hits China's coast after leaving 25 dead in Taiwan and the PhilippinesA strong typhoon has made landfall on China’s southeastern coast after sweeping across the nearby island of Taiwan, where it caused landslides and flooding in low-lying areas and left three dead.
A typhoon kills 3 as it nears Taiwan. It killed 13 in the Philippines, where people plead for rescue
Read full article: A typhoon kills 3 as it nears Taiwan. It killed 13 in the Philippines, where people plead for rescueA typhoon killed has three people in Taiwan as it approaches the island where air travelers have rushed to board remaining overseas flights.
Trump says Taiwan should pay more for defense and dodges questions if he would defend the island
Read full article: Trump says Taiwan should pay more for defense and dodges questions if he would defend the islandRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump has demanded the self-governed island of Taiwan pay for U.S. protection.
Who is the Buddhist nun who built a global charity from a tiny apartment in rural Taiwan?
Read full article: Who is the Buddhist nun who built a global charity from a tiny apartment in rural Taiwan?In 1966, Cheng Yen, a Buddhist nun living in eastern Taiwan, asked local housewives to contribute 50 cents a month to fund her charity.
China sanctions several Lockheed Martin units, three executives over arms deals with Taiwan
Read full article: China sanctions several Lockheed Martin units, three executives over arms deals with TaiwanChina says it has banned a number of business units of American aviation maker Lockheed Martin Corporation and three of its executives over arms deals with Taiwan, the self-ruling island it claims as its own territory.
Nvidia's stock market value topped $3.3 trillion. How it became No. 1 in the S&P 500, by the numbers
Read full article: Nvidia's stock market value topped $3.3 trillion. How it became No. 1 in the S&P 500, by the numbersNvidia’s startling ascent in the stock market reached another milestone Tuesday as the chipmaker rose to become the most valuable company in the S&P 500.
Chinese defense minister accuses US of causing friction with its support for Taiwan and Philippines
Read full article: Chinese defense minister accuses US of causing friction with its support for Taiwan and PhilippinesChina’s defense minister has acknowledged the importance of newly renewed military-to-military communications with the United States as tensions escalate in the Asia-Pacific, while at the same time accusing Washington of causing the friction with its support for Taiwan and the Philippines.
Top US and Chinese defense officials seek to restore communications as tensions rise in Indo-Pacific
Read full article: Top US and Chinese defense officials seek to restore communications as tensions rise in Indo-PacificU.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with his Chinese counterpart as the two countries seek to repair lines of communications between their militaries that could be critical as tensions continue to rise between them in the Indo-Pacific region.
China has threatened trade with some countries after feuds. They're calling 'the firm' for help
Read full article: China has threatened trade with some countries after feuds. They're calling 'the firm' for helpThe U.S. State Department has set up an eight-person team known as “the firm” to provide help to countries cut off from Chinese trade.
South Korean, Chinese and Japanese leaders discuss thorny topics and ways to boost cooperation
Read full article: South Korean, Chinese and Japanese leaders discuss thorny topics and ways to boost cooperationThe Japanese and South Korean leaders have raised sensitive topics like Taiwan, North Korea and the South China Sea as well as ways to boost cooperation, when they individually met China’s premier.
US Defense Secretary Austin expected to meet with Chinese counterpart in Singapore
Read full article: US Defense Secretary Austin expected to meet with Chinese counterpart in SingaporeDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun at a major defense conference in Singapore next week.
Taiwan's new President Lai in his inauguration speech urges China to stop its military intimidation
Read full article: Taiwan's new President Lai in his inauguration speech urges China to stop its military intimidationTaiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, has said in his inauguration speech that he seeks peace with China and urged it to stop its military threats against the self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory.
US and Philippine forces stage combat drills near strategic channel off southern Taiwan
Read full article: US and Philippine forces stage combat drills near strategic channel off southern TaiwanU.S. Marines and their Filipino counterparts have staged joint combat drills on the Philippines’ northernmost island along the strategic Bashi Channel off southern Taiwan, a flashpoint in the Washington-Beijing military rivalry.
Biden pardons 11 people and shortens the sentences of 5 others convicted of non-violent drug crimes
Read full article: Biden pardons 11 people and shortens the sentences of 5 others convicted of non-violent drug crimesPresident Joe Biden has granted clemency to 16 people who were convicted of non-violent drug crimes.
Blinken begins key China visit as tensions rise over new US foreign aid bill
Read full article: Blinken begins key China visit as tensions rise over new US foreign aid billU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has begun a critical trip to China armed with a strengthened diplomatic hand following Senate approval of a foreign aid package that will provide billions of dollars in assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well as force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform -– all areas of contention between Washington and Beijing.
China blasts US military aid to Taiwan, saying the island is entering a 'dangerous situation'
Read full article: China blasts US military aid to Taiwan, saying the island is entering a 'dangerous situation'China blasted the latest package of U_S_ military assistance to Taiwan, saying such funding was pushing the self-governing island republic into a “dangerous situation.”.
Blinken will be the latest top US official to visit China in a bid to keep ties on an even keel
Read full article: Blinken will be the latest top US official to visit China in a bid to keep ties on an even keelSecretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this coming week as Washington and Beijing try to keep ties on an even keel despite major differences on a range of issue, from the Middle East to opioids.
Solomon Islanders cast votes in an election that will shape relations with China
Read full article: Solomon Islanders cast votes in an election that will shape relations with ChinaVoting has ended across the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific nation’s first general election since the government switched diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy gaining a foothold in the region.
US Pentagon chief speaks with Chinese counterpart for first time since November 2022
Read full article: US Pentagon chief speaks with Chinese counterpart for first time since November 2022Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken with China’s national defense minister in the latest in a series of U.S. steps to improve communications with the Chinese military and reduce unsafe and aggressive incidents in the Indo-Pacific.
China sanctions 2 US defense companies and says they support arms sales to Taiwan
Read full article: China sanctions 2 US defense companies and says they support arms sales to TaiwanChina has announced rare sanctions against two U.S. defense companies over what it calls their support for arms sales to Taiwan.
Earthquake aftershocks halt the demolition of a leaning building in Taiwan. Death toll rises to 13
Read full article: Earthquake aftershocks halt the demolition of a leaning building in Taiwan. Death toll rises to 13The demolition of a building that is leaning precariously after an earthquake in Taiwan has been halted because of aftershocks that made it lean even more.
US-Chinese military talks resume on safety in the air and at sea after a nearly 2-year break
Read full article: US-Chinese military talks resume on safety in the air and at sea after a nearly 2-year breakU.S. and Chinese defense officials have met for the first time in nearly two years to discuss unsafe and aggressive ship and aircraft incidents between their militaries in the Pacific region.
Survivors of Taiwan's historic quake recall harrowing moments of tremors, being trapped under rocks
Read full article: Survivors of Taiwan's historic quake recall harrowing moments of tremors, being trapped under rocksTaiwan residents endured harrowing experiences when the ground shook with the strongest earthquake to hit the island in 25 years.
Rescue teams in Taiwan searching for family feared trapped in rockslide following earthquake
Read full article: Rescue teams in Taiwan searching for family feared trapped in rockslide following earthquakeRescue teams are searching for a family of five feared trapped in a rockslide following Taiwan's biggest earthquake in 25 years.
Biden and Xi discuss Taiwan, AI and fentanyl in a push to return to regular leader talks
Read full article: Biden and Xi discuss Taiwan, AI and fentanyl in a push to return to regular leader talksPresident Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have discussed Taiwan, artificial intelligence and security issues in a call meant to demonstrate a return to regular leader-to-leader dialogue between the two powers.
The Lunar New Year of the Dragon flames colorful festivities across Asian nations and communities
Read full article: The Lunar New Year of the Dragon flames colorful festivities across Asian nations and communitiesWith fireworks, feasts and red envelopes stuffed with cash for the kids, numerous Asian nations and overseas communities have welcomed the arrival of the Lunar New Year.
Biden aide urges Bejing to press Iran over Houthi attacks. China warns US over Taiwan independence
Read full article: Biden aide urges Bejing to press Iran over Houthi attacks. China warns US over Taiwan independenceU.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan has pressed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during talks in Thailand to use China’s influence with Iran to ease tensions in the Middle East.
Over 50 countries go to the polls in 2024. The year will test even the most robust democracies
Read full article: Over 50 countries go to the polls in 2024. The year will test even the most robust democraciesMore than 50 countries that together have half the world’s population are expecting national elections in 2024.
China sanctions 5 US defense companies in response to US sanctions and arms sales to Taiwan
Read full article: China sanctions 5 US defense companies in response to US sanctions and arms sales to TaiwanChina has announced sanctions on five American defense-related companies in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals.
Xi says China will ‘surely be reunified’ with self-ruled Taiwan in New Year’s address
Read full article: Xi says China will ‘surely be reunified’ with self-ruled Taiwan in New Year’s addressChinese President Xi Jinping says China would “surely be reunified” with Taiwan during his televised New Year’s address, renewing Beijing’s threats to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own.
China reaffirms its military threats against Taiwan weeks before the island's presidential election
Read full article: China reaffirms its military threats against Taiwan weeks before the island's presidential electionWeeks before Taiwan holds elections for its president and legislature, China has renewed its threat to use military force to annex the self-governing island democracy it claims as its own territory.
Top US military officer speaks with Chinese counterpart as US aims to warm relations with Beijing
Read full article: Top US military officer speaks with Chinese counterpart as US aims to warm relations with BeijingGen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has spoken with his Chinese counterpart.
The US and the Philippines conduct joint air, sea patrols in South China Sea not far from Taiwan
Read full article: The US and the Philippines conduct joint air, sea patrols in South China Sea not far from TaiwanThe United States and the Philippines are conducting joint air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea, which come as the two countries step up cooperation in the face of growingly aggressive Chinese activity in the area.
What they want: Biden and Xi are looking for clarity in an increasingly difficult relationship
Read full article: What they want: Biden and Xi are looking for clarity in an increasingly difficult relationshipPresident Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping’s have no shortage of difficult issues to discuss when they meet Wednesday in the San Francisco area.
Estonia will allow Taiwan to establish a nondiplomatic representative office in a policy revision
Read full article: Estonia will allow Taiwan to establish a nondiplomatic representative office in a policy revisionEstonia's government says it will allow Taiwan to open a nondiplomatic representative office of Taipei in the Baltic country to boost economic and cultural ties with the self-governing island.
Russian President Putin and Chinese leader Xi meet in Beijing and call for close policy coordination
Read full article: Russian President Putin and Chinese leader Xi meet in Beijing and call for close policy coordinationThe leaders of Russia and China have met in Beijing and called for close foreign policy coordination.
Evacuations ordered as remnants of Typhoon Koinu hit southern China
Read full article: Evacuations ordered as remnants of Typhoon Koinu hit southern ChinaPeople have been moved to shelters and nearly 2,000 boats recalled to port as the remnants of Typhoon Koinu hit southern China after leaving one dead and over 300 injured in Taiwan.
Taiwan probes firms suspected of selling chip equipment to China's Huawei despite US sanctions
Read full article: Taiwan probes firms suspected of selling chip equipment to China's Huawei despite US sanctionsTaiwan's economy minister has confirmed that regulators are investigating four Taiwanese companies suspected of helping China’s Huawei Technologies to build semiconductor facilities.
Typhoon Koinu heads toward southern China and Hong Kong after leaving 1 dead in Taiwan
Read full article: Typhoon Koinu heads toward southern China and Hong Kong after leaving 1 dead in TaiwanA typhoon is heading toward southern China and Hong Kong after bringing record-breaking winds and leaving one dead in Taiwan.
South Korean League of Legends team wins gold at Asian Games. Players secure a military exemption
Read full article: South Korean League of Legends team wins gold at Asian Games. Players secure a military exemptionSouth Korea’s League of Legends team beat Taiwan at the Asian Games despite being without its star player.
Lots of dignitaries but no real fireworks — only electronic flash — as the Asian Games open
Read full article: Lots of dignitaries but no real fireworks — only electronic flash — as the Asian Games openThe opening ceremony of the Asian Games in China offered all the staples of a major international sports event.
A Chinese dissident in transit at a Taiwan airport pleads for help in seeking asylum
Read full article: A Chinese dissident in transit at a Taiwan airport pleads for help in seeking asylumA Chinese dissident known for regularly commemorating the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square has fled to Taiwan and is pleading for help in seeking asylum in the United States or Canada.
Taiwan suspends work, transport and classes as Typhoon Haikui slams into the island
Read full article: Taiwan suspends work, transport and classes as Typhoon Haikui slams into the islandTaiwan has suspended flights, rail transport and ferry services along with classes and outdoor events and it is urging workers to stay home as Typhoon Haikui churns across the southern part of the island.
Typhoon Saola makes landfall in southern China but appears to cause only light damage
Read full article: Typhoon Saola makes landfall in southern China but appears to cause only light damageTyphoon Saola has made landfall in southern China after nearly 900,000 people moved to safety and most of Hong Kong and other parts of coastal southern China suspended business, transport and classes.
China sends aircraft and vessels toward Taiwan days after US approves $500-million arms sale
Read full article: China sends aircraft and vessels toward Taiwan days after US approves $500-million arms saleTaiwan’s defense ministry says China sent dozens of aircraft and vessels toward the island, just days after the United States approved a $500-million arms sale to Taiwan.
China appears to be building an airstrip on a disputed South China Sea island
Read full article: China appears to be building an airstrip on a disputed South China Sea islandSatellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press appear to show China is constructing an airstrip on a South China Sea island also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
New Paraguay president stresses South American country's ties with Taiwan at swearing-in ceremony
Read full article: New Paraguay president stresses South American country's ties with Taiwan at swearing-in ceremonyPresident Santiago Peña said Paraguay and Taiwan are “not just allies, but also brothers” when he was sworn in as the South American country’s new president on Tuesday.
Coastal Chinese city joins parts of Taiwan in shutting down schools and offices for Typhoon Doksuri
Read full article: Coastal Chinese city joins parts of Taiwan in shutting down schools and offices for Typhoon DoksuriThe coastal Chinese city of Shantou has joined parts of Taiwan in shutting down schools and offices as Typhoon Doksuri brings heavy wind and rain to the Taiwan Strait.
Strong typhoon blows closer to northern Philippines, forcing evacuations and halting sea travel
Read full article: Strong typhoon blows closer to northern Philippines, forcing evacuations and halting sea travelA powerful typhoon is blowing closer to the northern Philippines, forcing thousands of evacuations and a halt to sea travel ahead of torrential rains and tidal surges near 10 feet.
US military chief praises Japan's defense funding boost as a buttress against China and North Korea
Read full article: US military chief praises Japan's defense funding boost as a buttress against China and North KoreaThe highest-ranking U.S. military officer is praising Japan's moves to double its defense spending over the next five years.
Bulgari apologizes to China for listing Taiwan as a country after online backlash
Read full article: Bulgari apologizes to China for listing Taiwan as a country after online backlashItalian luxury brand Bulgari is the latest international brand to apologize to China after listing Taiwan as a country on its website.
Chip maker Foxconn exits a semiconductor joint venture with Indian mining company Vedanta
Read full article: Chip maker Foxconn exits a semiconductor joint venture with Indian mining company VedantaApple iPhone manufacturer Foxconn has announced it is backing out of a $19.5 billion semiconductor joint venture with Indian mining conglomerate Vedanta Ltd.
Keeping up pressure, China sends warships and fighter jets near Taiwan during Yellen's Beijing visit
Read full article: Keeping up pressure, China sends warships and fighter jets near Taiwan during Yellen's Beijing visitTaiwan's Defense Ministry says China has sent 13 aircraft and 6 vessels to airspace and waters around Taiwan as of early Saturday.
Kindergarten teachers accused of drugging at least 8 children in Taiwan, investigation launched
Read full article: Kindergarten teachers accused of drugging at least 8 children in Taiwan, investigation launchedKindergarten teachers in Taiwan have been accused of drugging their students, raising alarm among parents on the island.
China's foreign minister airs concerns in phone call with Blinken ahead of planned visit
Read full article: China's foreign minister airs concerns in phone call with Blinken ahead of planned visitU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang have shared concerns on a phone call ahead of a possible visit by the U.S. official to China meant to shore up relations.
G7 urges China to press Russia to end war in Ukraine, respect Taiwan's status, fair trade rules
Read full article: G7 urges China to press Russia to end war in Ukraine, respect Taiwan's status, fair trade rulesThe Group of Seven wealthy democracies have urged China to push Russia to end its war on Ukraine.
Man indicted on 98 charges including hate crimes for 2022 shooting at Taiwanese church in California
Read full article: Man indicted on 98 charges including hate crimes for 2022 shooting at Taiwanese church in CaliforniaA man accused of fatally shooting one person and wounding five others at a Southern California church luncheon last year has been charged with dozens of federal hate crimes in connection with the attack, which investigators say was motivated by political hatred of Taiwan.
China tells US to 'reflect deeply' over downturn in ties
Read full article: China tells US to 'reflect deeply' over downturn in tiesChina’s foreign minister has told the U.S. ambassador that Washington is responsible for the downturn in relations between the two countries and must “reflect deeply” before ties can return to a healthy track.
Swiss lower house approves closer ties to Taiwan legislature
Read full article: Swiss lower house approves closer ties to Taiwan legislatureSwitzerland’s lower house of parliament has voted to tighten ties with the legislature in Taiwan, a move that could further rankle China after recent visits by Western lawmakers to the island.
China's FM holds talks in Philippines amid strained ties
Read full article: China's FM holds talks in Philippines amid strained tiesChina’s foreign minister says his country is willing to work with the Philippines to resolve their differences, as tensions rise over Beijing’s behavior in the disputed South China Sea and Manila’s deeping military cooperation with the U.S. Foreign Minister Qin Gang held talks in Manila with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo.
'No impunity': G7 vows tough, unified stance on Russia's war
Read full article: 'No impunity': G7 vows tough, unified stance on Russia's warGroup of Seven foreign ministers vowed to intensify sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine as they wrapped up their meeting hosted by Japan on Tuesday.
G-7 diplomats reject Chinese, N. Korean, Russian aggression
Read full article: G-7 diplomats reject Chinese, N. Korean, Russian aggressionTop diplomats from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies are vowing a tough stance on China’s increasing threats to Taiwan and on North Korea’s unchecked tests of long-range missiles.
Philippines names 4 new camps for US forces amid China fury
Read full article: Philippines names 4 new camps for US forces amid China furyThe Philippine government has identified four new military camps, including some across the sea from Taiwan, where rotating batches of American forces will be allowed to be stationed indefinitely despite strong objections from China.
Taiwan's former leader Ma begins China visit
Read full article: Taiwan's former leader Ma begins China visitFormer Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has departed for a tour of China in what he calls an attempt to reduce tensions a day after Taiwan lost one of its few remaining diplomatic partners to China.