WorldThe broadcast highlights Trump saying it is time for Ukraine and Russia to reach a deal, Rubio’s statement that the US and India are close to agreement on a trade pact, and Taiwan’s military reporting 27 sorties by Chinese military aircraft, 21 of them crossing the median line. Britain says it will conduct defensive air operations over Saudi Arabia to help protect it from Houthi attacks.
VOA Chinese
WorldTrump said Ukraine and Russia should reach an agreement. During his visit to India, Rubio said the United States and India were close to agreeing on a trade deal. Taiwan’s military said it detected 27 sorties by Chinese military aircraft, 21 of which crossed the median line. Britain said it would conduct “defensive” air operations over Saudi Arabia to help protect it from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces.
VOA Chinese
PoliticsPhilippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr says ASEAN is making good progress on a South China Sea Code of Conduct and artificial intelligence. Speaking at the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore, he also discussed trade’s importance in countering tariffs.
PoliticsThe first two long-delayed U.S. F-16V fighter jets arrived in Taiwan after the “Trump-Xi meeting.” Taiwan’s representative to the United States, Yu Da-lei, said Washington’s accelerated delivery of previously purchased arms was encouraging. He stressed that U.S. arms sales should match the threat China poses to Taiwan, as Chinese military aircraft and vessels operate around the Taiwan Strait almost daily.
VOA Chinese
PoliticsTaiwan received its first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, numbered 6727 and 6728, at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung on October 2 after ordering 66 aircraft in 2019. President Lai Ching-te called the delivery important progress in strengthening Taiwan’s air-defense capabilities and its resolve to defend itself and secure peace through strength.
VOA Chinese
WorldTaiwan’s Air Force received the first two of 66 newly built F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased from the United States on Friday. The aircraft, numbered 6727 and 6728, landed at Zhi-Hang Air Base in Taitung as part of efforts to strengthen Taiwan’s air defenses.
The Associated Press
PoliticsVOA’s daily focus report says President Trump denied asking Xi Jinping whether he intended to purchase U.S. weapons. Other headlines include expected further U.S.-Iran talks, a $60 billion U.S.-China tariff-cut list, unchanged U.S. policy toward Taiwan, anti-communist videos and renewed “panda diplomacy.”
VOA Chinese
PoliticsUS Ambassador says President Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China wanted to buy American weapons. The broader question is what this means for Taiwan, as Trump has already characterized US arms sales to the island as a negotiating chip with Beijing.
PoliticsThe US ambassador to China says President Trump floated selling weapons to Beijing during talks with Xi Jinping. Such a move would mark a major shift in US foreign policy and could have far-reaching consequences for Taiwan and other American allies in the Pacific.
PoliticsDonald Trump’s lavish welcome for Xi Jinping this week marked a high point of stability in a US-China relationship that has endured many lows. Xi is now seeking to lock in more favorable long-term terms for China on Taiwan and trade while the opening remains available. Sara Schuman of Beacon Global Strategies said there are fewer areas for progress than during Trump’s first term.
Bloomberg Television
PoliticsXi Jinping urges Donald Trump to oppose Taiwan independence and calls for complementary relations between China and the United States. The program also examines the future of Trump-Xi ties, including analysis from Fudan University’s Wu Xinbo.
Bloomberg Television
PoliticsThe US and Chinese presidents are scheduled to meet in Washington later this month, although Beijing has not formally announced Xi Jinping’s visit. Japan’s Kyodo News reported that Beijing warned it could cancel the summit if Washington approved a new $10bn arms sale to Taiwan beforehand. Trump said he was not worried.
BBC Chinese
PoliticsAmerican Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene warned that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait could inflict a shock on the global economy greater than World War II. The program also covered escalating U.S.-Iran fighting and oil above $100 a barrel, Trump’s remarks on the conflict and possible U.S.-Russia-Ukraine talks, the Republican convention, and Apple’s iPhone Duo debut.
VOA Chinese
WorldPacific Islands Forum leaders expressed shared concern over China’s ballistic missile launches into their waters, but the joint statement condemning China failed to win consensus after Nauru objected. Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, who attended the forum, criticized China’s “wolf warrior” diplomatic posture, saying it could undermine Pacific unity.
VOA Chinese
WorldPalau President Surangel Whipps urged the 18 Pacific Islands Forum members to condemn China’s July 6 missile test in a summit statement. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the launch had almost no advance notice and violated international norms, while China’s Foreign Ministry accused Palau of repeatedly hyping the issue and said the test was conducted safely.
VOA Chinese
PoliticsThe Pacific Islands Forum is being held in Koror, Palau. Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung rejected China’s claim that Taiwan had no legitimate basis for taking part and accused China’s Pacific envoy Qian Bo of “wolf warrior” diplomacy. The U.S. State Department, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Palau President Whipps backed Taiwan’s participation.
VOA Chinese
WorldA diplomatic dispute has erupted at the Pacific Islands Forum gathering in Palau over Taiwan’s participation. China has sharply criticized Taipei’s presence, while separate disagreements with Beijing over regional security are also affecting the meeting.
PoliticsDaniel Twining, president of the International Republican Institute, says Taiwan’s free elections, multiparty competition, free media and independent judiciary show the appeal of a free Chinese society. He argues Beijing fears these institutions could attract people in China and undermine the Communist Party’s claim that Chinese people want one-person, one-party rule.
VOA Chinese
WorldThe program highlights Trump’s call for Iran’s leaders to face war-crimes trials and his description of Iran as a “failed state.” It also reports expanded U.S. sanctions on Iran, with Treasury Secretary Bessent urging G20 members to reconsider trade terms with China. A renewed purge of China’s military leadership reportedly removes Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli and brings down Xi aide Zhong Shaojun, which experts say could affect the PLA’s command chain and Taiwan combat capability. Taiwan’s next-generation Harpoon coastal-defense system reportedly passed U.S. testing, while Nepal’s flood rescue continues with U.S. aid and concern for missing citizens.
VOA Chinese
WorldThe annual Pacific Islands Forum opened in Palau on Monday, with its 18 members set to discuss regional cooperation and security. A day earlier, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung joined Palau President Surangel Whipps at a ceremony for Taipei-donated electric buses. China has criticised Taiwan’s participation.
WorldTroops and civilians on Taiwan’s Penghu Islands are preparing for the possibility that the strategically important archipelago could become the front line of a Chinese attack. Reuters examines how Penghu is strengthening its defenses.
Reuters
WorldRetired PLA Senior Colonel Zhou Bo joins Sreenivasan Jain to argue for China’s vision of a multipolar world that Beijing says would be fairer, more balanced and less dominated by one superpower. The discussion examines whether China’s conduct in the South China Sea and its dealings with the Global South match that rhetoric, while offering a rare view from inside the Chinese establishment on the future world order.
PoliticsTaiwan’s Executive Yuan approved the 2027 central government budget, with total defense spending set at NT$1.1225 trillion, or about $35.168 billion. The figure equals 3.01% of GDP, marking the first time Taiwan’s defense budget has surpassed both NT$1 trillion and 3% of GDP. The proposal will be sent to the Legislative Yuan by the end of August.
VOA Chinese
PoliticsTaiwan is considering its largest-ever defence budget, with plans to raise spending above 3 per cent of GDP for the first time since 2009. The government has submitted its 2027 plans as tensions with China continue to show little sign of easing.