Taiwan’s army commissioned a new fleet of US-made Abrams M1A2T tanks on Friday in a ceremony attended by President Lai Ching-te, marking a significant step in the island’s ongoing effort to modernize its military amid rising tensions with China.

China's military activity near Taiwan has been reported by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence. Six PLA aircraft and eight PLAN vessels were detected operating around the island. Taiwan is actively reviewing and reforming its military and national security framework.

Facing China’s growing military and political pressure, Taiwan races to strengthen its defenses before it’s too late.

The best way to reverse this dynamic and achieve a substantial reduction in military activities around Taiwan is for both Washington and Beijing to show greater respect for each other’s core positions.

Taiwan does not want China's "one country, two systems" and must uphold its freedom and democracy, and resolve to defend itself, President Lai Ching-te said on Friday, rejecting Beijing's latest push to get the island to come under Chinese control.

William Lai is lurching toward formal independence, which could trigger a catastrophic U.S.-China war, writes Lyle Goldstein.

The fresh incursion marks yet another episode in China's continuing military pressure campaign against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

Taiwan authorities launched a third wave of crackdowns on draft evasion this morning (Oct 21), with well-known celebrities such as actors Hsiu Chieh-kai and Chen Bolin as well as singer Chang Shu-wei from Energy among those detained for questioning.

Taiwan's armed forces carried out exercises covering land, sea and air this month, part of a recent expansion in the length and frequency of military drills. The aim is to boost the country's defense in the face of growing threats from China.