Taiwan's president sets date to prepare for combat with China

Former U.S. President Donald Trump advised Japan to temper its rhetoric regarding Taiwan following a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which raised concerns in Tokyo about escalating tensions in the region. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had previously suggested a military response if China were to attack Taiwan, prompting a strong reaction from Beijing.

China has blocked ByteDance from utilizing Nvidia chips, a significant move given that ByteDance had purchased more Nvidia chips than any other Chinese company in 2025 to enhance its computing capabilities.

Taiwan has announced a significant military investment of US$40 billion, aimed at enhancing its air defense capabilities and acquiring new weapons from the United States. This decision comes amid increasing pressure from the U.S. for Taiwan to bolster its defense spending in light of regional tensions.

Taiwan's government has announced a significant increase in defense spending, allocating an additional $40 billion to counter escalating threats from China, as stated by President Lai Ching-te, who emphasized the importance of national security amid rising tensions.

Volkswagen has announced the completion of a new R&D centre in Hebei, eastern China, enabling the company to develop new cars entirely outside Germany for the first time in its history. This move aims to strengthen its position in the world's largest auto market.

Protests have erupted in Shidong town, Guizhou province, China, following a local government directive mandating cremation instead of burial to conserve land resources. This unrest is part of a broader trend, with rural demonstrations increasing by 70% compared to the previous year.

A robot showcased during Ouagadougou's Digital Week was falsely claimed on social media to have been entirely designed in Burkina Faso, when in fact it was imported from China. This misinformation has raised concerns about the authenticity of local technological advancements.

President Donald Trump has engaged in discussions with leaders from Japan and China amid rising tensions over Taiwan, a region that both China and Japan have significant interests in. This dialogue reflects the complexities of international relations in East Asia, particularly concerning Taiwan's status.