Military budgets—that’s the talk of the Taiwan Strait. China wants its budget to grow so it can play with the big kids by 2035. China’s apparently not ready to play with the big kids, at least since India just ate China’s lunch. So, with China trying to bulk up even more, people are asking what the heck is going on with Taiwan.
Israel spends 5% GDP on asymmetric defense; Taiwan only spends 3%. So-called “experts” want Taiwan to spend more. The US wants Taiwan to spend more. Apparently even the newspapers want Taiwan to spend more because military budget is the talk of the week.
It was a strange week, though. So many things have gone peaceful in the East Pacific. China and India are suddenly getting along. Taiwan and China talk more about the need to talk. Threats and vibrato from Beijing haven’t stopped, of course. But, things are getting a bit quiet, and it seems somewhat eerie.
Trade & Tech
TSMC Rumored To Build $35 Billion 5nm Plant In The U.S. With 100k/month Wafer Output // Wccftech
China
Rights groups target sponsors like Airbnb for Beijing Games // AP
Jack Ma loses title as China’s richest man after coming under Beijing’s scrutiny // Fox Business
An Open Letter to the Fashion and Home-Furnishing Industries // EndUyghurForcedLabour.org
Beijing 2022: China hits back at Canada over calls to move Winter Olympics // SCMP
Taiwan
Experts urge government to increase defense spending // Taipei Times
US encourages Taiwan to invest in defense: official // Taipei Times
China bolsters defense, while saying it would deter Taiwan ‘separatist activity’ // Taipei Times
US reaffirms Taiwan support in report // Taipei Times
Taipei adopts 6 approaches to promoting English education // Taiwan News