Taiwan

2024 - 9 - 30

Typhoons, Scams, and Biden - Oh My! Taiwan's Wild Week Unpacked!

Offshore Wind Projects - Taiwan Defense Assistance - Taiwan Scams - Typhoon Krathon - U.S.-China Relations

From powerful typhoons to scam losses and international tension, Taiwan is in the spotlight! What’s happening there? Dive into this wild rollercoaster ride with us!

Taiwan is facing a tempestuous week with the powerful Typhoon Krathon barreling towards its western coastline, causing panic and precautions across the island. As of 8:15 p.m. on Monday, multiple cities and counties, such as Chiayi County, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung, have closed schools and offices to ensure public safety. The typhoon, resembling a Category 4 hurricane, is predicted to wreak havoc, particularly in densely populated regions, reflecting the serious impact extreme weather events can have on daily life.

On another front, a staggering report revealed that the city has lost around NT$239.5 billion (approximately US$7.37 billion) to various scams in the past year! From phishing to deceptive online deals, it seems the scammers are thriving while Taiwan’s citizens face increasing financial peril. This rise in scams is causing alarm bells to ring, highlighting the need for Taiwan to ramp up its public awareness campaigns and security measures to protect its people.

But the drama doesn’t stop there! In a politically charged move, US President Joe Biden has recently approved US$567 million in defense assistance for Taiwan as tensions with China escalate. This decision has drawn fierce criticism from China, which labels the support as backing for ‘secessionist’ forces. This strategic aid represents the largest security package Taiwan has ever received from the US, underscoring the deepening alliance between the two in the face of increasing pressure from Beijing.

As Taiwan prepares for the storm swirling above, it’s not just nature that serves the island its challenges! The intertwining of political tensions with extreme weather and economic unrest highlights the complex environment that Taiwanese citizens must navigate. With their resilience historically evident, it will be intriguing to see how Taiwan manages to collectively weather these both literal and metaphorical storms!

Did you know? Typhoon Krathon’s winds could be strong enough to uproot trees and cause substantial power outages! Additionally, the NT$239.5 billion lost to scams represents a staggering average of around NT$10,000 (about US$320) per person for the entire population of Taiwan. Preventive measures can help mitigate these losses, and staying informed is crucial!

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Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

Schools, offices closed in 6 cities and counties across Taiwan ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

As of 8:15 p.m., authorities in Chiayi County, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung County in southern Taiwan, and Hualien and Taitung counties in eastern Taiwan had ...

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Image courtesy of "Hong Kong Free Press"

US approves US$567 million in defence assistance for Taiwan as ... (Hong Kong Free Press)

US President Joe Biden on Sunday approved US$567 million in defense assistance for Taiwan, the White House said.

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Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

NT$239.5 billion lost to scams over past year in Taiwan: Report ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

People in Taiwan lost a total of NT$239.5 billion (US$7.37 billion) to different types of scams over the past 12 months, an anti-scam research report ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Powerful Typhoon Krathon forecast to hit Taiwan's populated west ... (Reuters)

Taiwan issued a warning on Monday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Krathon, which has strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane and is ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Sabah"

US backing secessionists 'greatest threat' to Taiwan Strait: China (Daily Sabah)

China on Monday condemned the U.S. for backing 'secessionist' forces in Taiwan, labeling it the 'greatest threat' to peace and stability in the Taiwan...

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Image courtesy of "CNA"

Biden approves US$567 million in defence assistance for Taiwan (CNA)

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Sunday (Sep 29) approved US$567 million in defence assistance for Taiwan, the White House said, as China ramps up ...

China decries US military assistance approved to Taiwan region (SHINE)

This has proved once again that the secessionist activities by the "Taiwan independence" forces supported by the US-led external forces pose the biggest threat ...

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Image courtesy of "台北時報"

Biden approves US$567m in defense aid for Taiwan (台北時報)

US President Joe Biden on Sunday approved US$567 million in defense assistance for Taiwan, the White House said. While the US does not officially recognize ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of Nigeria"

Biden Approves $567 Mln In Defense Support For Taiwan (Voice of Nigeria)

Report says the United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. China has ...

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Typhoon Krathon tracker: Taiwan braces for powerful storm after ... (The Independent)

Typhoon Krathon will cross through Taiwan's densely populated west coast, including major port city of Kaohsiung.

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Image courtesy of "台北時報"

Outer rim of Krathon reaches Taiwan (台北時報)

TYPHOON DAY: Taitung, Pingtung, Tainan, Chiayi, Hualien and Kaohsiung canceled work and classes today. The storm is to start moving north this afternoon.

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Image courtesy of "Business Insider"

Biden approved Taiwan's biggest security package yet, China defiant (Business Insider)

President Joe Biden said the US will send Taiwan its largest-ever security package worth up to $567 million amid rising tensions with China.

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Image courtesy of "South China Morning Post"

China's Xi Jinping warns 'Taiwan separatists', stresses support for ... (South China Morning Post)

In National Day speech, Chinese leader says the island is the country's ' sacred territory'.

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Image courtesy of "Offshore WIND"

180 MW Floating Wind Project in Taiwan Passes Preliminary EIA ... (Offshore WIND)

The Rui Li 1 floating offshore wind project, developed by a consortium comprising IX Renewables, Hexicon and GF Corporation, has passed the Environmental ...

China decries U.S. military assistance approved to Taiwan region ... (China Military)

U.S. military assistance to the Taiwan region, regardless of the amount, will not sway in the slightest China's resolve to oppose.

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Image courtesy of "USNI News"

Plan to Fight Underground to Win in Taiwan (USNI News)

The subterranean world provides the best chance for an attritional defense strategy in Taiwan. By E. Sean Rooney, Nicholas Setliff, Shiela Berger, and Brandon ...

Powerful Typhoon Krathon Forecast to Hit Taiwan's Populated West ... (Insurance Journal)

Taiwan issued a warning on Monday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Krathon, which has strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane and is ...

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Image courtesy of "The Star Online"

Container of ice cream sent back to Taiwan (The Star Online)

BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) ordered a commercial container carrying ice cream from Taiwan worth RM355,874 ...

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Image courtesy of "The Straits Times"

Super typhoon Krathon shuts schools, offices in southern Taiwan (The Straits Times)

The eye of the storm was in Batanes, the northern tip of the Philippines, and moving slowly west-northwest with maximum winds of 185kmh and gusts of up to ...

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Image courtesy of "China Daily"

Washington urged to stop arming Taiwan (China Daily)

Beijing on Monday urged Washington to immediately cease arming the Taiwan region in all forms and reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to defending national ...

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Image courtesy of "VnExpress International"

Powerful typhoon Krathon forecast to hit Taiwan's populated west ... (VnExpress International)

Taiwan issued a warning on Monday ahead of the arrival of typhoon Krathon, which has strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane and is ...

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Image courtesy of "The Japan Times"

Taiwan mobilizes troops as powerful Typhoon Krathon approaches ... (The Japan Times)

The coast guard is racing to locate 19 sailors who had to abandon ship due to bad weather.

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Image courtesy of "Global Times"

'Taiwan independence' a dead end; US to face consequences if ... (Global Times)

In response to US' latest move, Lin Jian, a spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a Monday press briefing that the US' latest arms supply to China's ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Taiwan warns of storm surge from powerful Typhoon Krathon ... (Reuters)

Taiwan mobilised nearly 40000 troops on Tuesday to bolster rescue efforts as the powerful Typhoon Krathon approaching its populous southwest coast is ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo News"

Typhoon Krathon – live: Taiwan braces for powerful storm after 'very ... (Yahoo News)

Krathon is expected to make landfall on Taiwan's southern coast tomorrow, with strong winds and torrential rain likely to affect the island through Thursday.

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Image courtesy of "China Daily"

Washington urged to stop arming Taiwan (China Daily)

Beijing on Monday urged Washington to immediately cease arming the Taiwan region in all forms and reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to defending national ...

China decries U.S. military assistance approved to Taiwan region ... (People's Daily Online)

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. military assistance to the Taiwan region, regardless of the amoun.

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Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

Typhoon Krathon strengthening as it approaches southwest Taiwan ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

Wednesday, the storm is expected to be just 60 km to the south-southwest of Kaohsiung and to make landfall in southwestern Taiwan later that day, CWA forecasts ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Thousands evacuated as Super Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan (FRANCE 24)

Krathon, packing sustained winds of 198 kilometres per hour (123 miles per hour) -- equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane -- and gusts of up to 245 kph was ...

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Image courtesy of "Business Standard"

Taiwan shuts schools and offices ahead of direct hit from powerful ... (Business Standard)

Taiwan closed schools and offices and evacuated hundreds from vulnerable areas around the island Tuesday ahead of a strong typhoon expected to hit its ...

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Image courtesy of "South China Morning Post"

Taiwan warns of storm surge from powerful Typhoon Krathon ... (South China Morning Post)

Coastguard searches for 19 sailors who abandoned ship as Kaohsiung mayor describes storm as 'no less powerful' than 1977's Typhoon Thelma.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Xi vows 'reunification' with Taiwan on eve of Communist China's ... (CNN)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping reiterated his pledge to achieve “reunification” with Taiwan on the eve of Communist China's 75th birthday, as Beijing flexed its ...

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Image courtesy of "The Edge Markets MY"

Taiwan braces for super typhoon, seeks to help stricken ship (The Edge Markets MY)

Super Typhoon Krathon is bringing strong winds and heavy rains as it heads toward Taiwan, where authorities are trying to save the 19-person crew of a ...

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