East Asia
China’s Parliamentary Session Begins: Main Foreign Policy Takeaways
Yesterday marked the start of China’s 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing, a week-long meeting attended by top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership including Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Politburo Standing Committee, and over 3,000 delegates from across the country. The session, also known as Two Sessions, is a means for top leadership to convey decisions about the priorities of the CCP for the next year, including economic and foreign policy decisions.
Chinese Territorial Incursions Prompt Japanese Military Buildup Near Taiwan
The Japanese military has been shoring up its defensive capabilities on the small island of Yonaguni, which is the nation’s westernmost island, and closest to Taiwan. Despite its small population, the island has become essential to the Japanese military in the past few years.
Taiwanese Economics Ministry Officials in Washington to Discuss Semiconductor Tariff Threats
Taiwanese Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei states that officials from his ministry have been in Washington since Tuesday on a “routine visit” to U.S. President Donald Trump following his Jan. 27 threats of a “25, 50 or even 100 percent” tariff on semiconductors.
China’s Position on Russia-Ukraine War
Following U.S.-Russia peace talks on the Russo-Ukrainian war, Chinese officials argue that all necessary parties should be involved in discussions. Chinese involvement in negotiations evokes questions about their connections to Russia, Ukraine, and North Korea.