Gary Sands
@yangguizi.bsky.social
Taiwan-based Senior Analyst (China, Taiwan) at Wikistrat. Former US diplomat. Op-eds: Forbes, National Interest, Newsweek, SCMP. Lived in China 2006-2012, Vietnam 2013-2018.
Shen: “Politicians are used to being questioned, and facing a hostile crowd, but it is a very different matter when children are involved. That incident on Sunday frightened my daughter... People must know to never embroil kids into political feuds.” www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Politician, child publicly threatened - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Shen: “Politicians are used to being questioned, and facing a hostile crowd, but it is a very different matter when children are involved. That incident on Sunday frightened my daughter... People must know to never embroil kids into political feuds.” www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
"President Xi responded positively!” American defense hawks warn that allowing H200 exports could help Chinese AI labs build supercomputers close to U.S. performance while the U.S. struggles with domestic chip manufacturing and rare earths reliance. edition.cnn.com/2025/12/08/t...
Trump greenlights exports of Nvidia H200 chips to China | CNN Business
President Donald Trump announced on Monday in a Truth Social post that he’s removing export controls on Nvidia’s H200 chips to China, a key reversal in what’s become part of a broader trade war betwee...
edition.cnn.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:29 AM
"President Xi responded positively!” American defense hawks warn that allowing H200 exports could help Chinese AI labs build supercomputers close to U.S. performance while the U.S. struggles with domestic chip manufacturing and rare earths reliance. edition.cnn.com/2025/12/08/t...
The FCC gave Chinese companies two weeks to offer convincing evidence that their presence in the U.S. "is not a threat to national security and is in the public interest." www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
FCC may bar Chinese telecom companies from connecting to US networks
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said on Monday it may bar three major Chinese telecom companies from connecting to U.S. networks over efforts to prevent robocalls, the latest in a series of...
www.reuters.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:23 AM
The FCC gave Chinese companies two weeks to offer convincing evidence that their presence in the U.S. "is not a threat to national security and is in the public interest." www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
The 2025 Consensus? "each side interpreting the ‘one China’ separately (各表一中)." www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/a...
KMT chair to meet with Xi, but at a price: source - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The 2025 Consensus? "each side interpreting the ‘one China’ separately (各表一中)." www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/a...
"We're not trying to dominate or humiliate them [China], nor are we trying to change the status quo over Taiwan," Hegseth said. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
U.S. to deter China through strength, not confrontation: Pete Hegseth - Focus Taiwan
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday that one of the U.S. military's main priorities is to deter China "through strength, not through confrontation," as he reiterated Washington'...
focustaiwan.tw
December 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
"We're not trying to dominate or humiliate them [China], nor are we trying to change the status quo over Taiwan," Hegseth said. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
Did they pass the test? The Chinese naval activities appear to be a test of logistics, and command and control capabilities during a large deployment, said Lin Ying-yu, an associate professor of international affairs and strategic studies at Tamkang University. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Chinese surge may mean ‘hardliners’ taking control - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Did they pass the test? The Chinese naval activities appear to be a test of logistics, and command and control capabilities during a large deployment, said Lin Ying-yu, an associate professor of international affairs and strategic studies at Tamkang University. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
China's second law of motion (force = Japanese mass x Australian acceleration, launch of new ‘strategic defense’ framework. www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12...
Japan and Australia launch new ‘strategic defense’ framework
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the move will help ensure the quasi-allies can work together more effectively and with greater strategic alignment.
www.japantimes.co.jp
December 7, 2025 at 11:52 AM
China's second law of motion (force = Japanese mass x Australian acceleration, launch of new ‘strategic defense’ framework. www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12...
The American public has spoken - will the Commander-in-Chief listen?
A solid majority (60%) of Americans now support direct US military commitment in the defense of #Taiwan, the latest 2025 Reagan National Defense Survey finds.
That's up from 48% just a year ago.
www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-insti...
That's up from 48% just a year ago.
www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-insti...
December 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The American public has spoken - will the Commander-in-Chief listen?
Reposted by Gary Sands
A solid majority (60%) of Americans now support direct US military commitment in the defense of #Taiwan, the latest 2025 Reagan National Defense Survey finds.
That's up from 48% just a year ago.
www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-insti...
That's up from 48% just a year ago.
www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-insti...
December 5, 2025 at 5:53 AM
A solid majority (60%) of Americans now support direct US military commitment in the defense of #Taiwan, the latest 2025 Reagan National Defense Survey finds.
That's up from 48% just a year ago.
www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-insti...
That's up from 48% just a year ago.
www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-insti...
Another shoe yet to drop is a trade agreement with the US, which could skew the debate if the details are unpopular. Though the Americans view these issues as separate, many in Taiwan will not. www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Donovan’s Deep Dives: The KMT’s big T-Dome test - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Another shoe yet to drop is a trade agreement with the US, which could skew the debate if the details are unpopular. Though the Americans view these issues as separate, many in Taiwan will not. www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres needs to tell Beijing to stop writing letters. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Japan rebuts Chinese letter to UN - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres needs to tell Beijing to stop writing letters. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
a tuition hike was being considered to cover the extra costs of hiring staff who can provide English-language counseling services and medical exams at the student health center for around 7,200 foreign students. (excessive? e.g. $1,000 each could raise $7.2 million) www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Waseda mulling tuition hike for non-fluent foreign students | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Tokyo-based Waseda University, which has the most foreign students in Japan, is considering tuition hikes for new enrollees from abroad who have not mastered the Japanese language.
www.asahi.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:10 AM
a tuition hike was being considered to cover the extra costs of hiring staff who can provide English-language counseling services and medical exams at the student health center for around 7,200 foreign students. (excessive? e.g. $1,000 each could raise $7.2 million) www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Relax Guys: “I have no intention of encouraging other people to overwork, or suggesting long working hours as a virtue,” Takaichi said. “I hope there is no misunderstanding.” apnews.com/article/japa...
Japan's Takaichi is winning fans not with politics but with her style and 'work, work, work' mantra
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has won the catchphrase of the year for her pledge to “work, work, work, work and work” for the country.
apnews.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Relax Guys: “I have no intention of encouraging other people to overwork, or suggesting long working hours as a virtue,” Takaichi said. “I hope there is no misunderstanding.” apnews.com/article/japa...
The document's language on Taiwan is stronger than the national security strategy produced during Trump's first term in office. www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Trump unveils strategy to prevent China conflict over Taiwan
President Donald Trump aims to prevent conflict with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea by building up U.S. and allies' military power, according to a new U.S. strategy document.
www.reuters.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:34 AM
The document's language on Taiwan is stronger than the national security strategy produced during Trump's first term in office. www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Thanks for picking up their tab, China: According to the MAC, as of Sept. 18 this year, 873 Taiwanese nationals involved in fraud cases were detained, prosecuted, tried or serving prison sentences in China. focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait...
MAC 'dissatisfied' with China's handling of 10 released prisoners' repatriation - Focus Taiwan
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday it was "dissatisfied" with the way Chinese authorities repatriated 10 Taiwanese nationals who had completed prison sentences in China for fraud, saying...
focustaiwan.tw
December 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Thanks for picking up their tab, China: According to the MAC, as of Sept. 18 this year, 873 Taiwanese nationals involved in fraud cases were detained, prosecuted, tried or serving prison sentences in China. focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait...
It is still possible that Beijing will instead directly ramp up military pressure around Taiwan to make their opposition to the special military budget felt, but strategically it makes little sense. (except Beijing keeps making nonsensical moves)
December 5, 2025 at 12:05 PM
It is still possible that Beijing will instead directly ramp up military pressure around Taiwan to make their opposition to the special military budget felt, but strategically it makes little sense. (except Beijing keeps making nonsensical moves)
Namefare: South Korea rolled out the online system on Feb. 24 to gradually replace paper arrival cards. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Taiwan urges S Korea to correct name on platform - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Namefare: South Korea rolled out the online system on Feb. 24 to gradually replace paper arrival cards. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Yesterday morning, the phrase “Sanae Takaichi finally relented” was the No. 1 trending topic on Sina Weibo. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Japanese policy toward Taiwan unchanged: Takaichi - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Yesterday morning, the phrase “Sanae Takaichi finally relented” was the No. 1 trending topic on Sina Weibo. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Not Substantive, But Symbolic: Previously, the State Department was required to conduct a one-time review of its guidance governing relations with Taiwan, but under the new bill, the agency must conduct such a review "not less than every five years." focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
Trump signs Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act into law - Focus Taiwan
United States President Donald Trump has signed into law the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which requires the State Department to regularly review and update guidelines governing official U.S. ...
focustaiwan.tw
December 4, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Not Substantive, But Symbolic: Previously, the State Department was required to conduct a one-time review of its guidance governing relations with Taiwan, but under the new bill, the agency must conduct such a review "not less than every five years." focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
The KMT and TPP do not support increases in defense spending, their voters have little confidence in the military, and the vast majority of their voters do not believe the US will ride to their rescue.
December 3, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The KMT and TPP do not support increases in defense spending, their voters have little confidence in the military, and the vast majority of their voters do not believe the US will ride to their rescue.
Asked whether they were confident that the US would send troops to Taiwan in a cross-strait conflict, among KMT and TPP supporters, the rate was in excess of 80 percent saying "no." www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Poll shows many doubt defense ability - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Asked whether they were confident that the US would send troops to Taiwan in a cross-strait conflict, among KMT and TPP supporters, the rate was in excess of 80 percent saying "no." www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Asked whether they were confident that the US would send troops to Taiwan in a cross-strait conflict, 36.9 percent said “yes,” while 60.9 percent said “no.” www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Poll shows many doubt defense ability - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Asked whether they were confident that the US would send troops to Taiwan in a cross-strait conflict, 36.9 percent said “yes,” while 60.9 percent said “no.” www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
The KMT and TPP appear against increased defense spending, while a majority of their constituents (64% and 74%, respectively) say defense capacity is lacking. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Poll shows many doubt defense ability - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:13 AM
The KMT and TPP appear against increased defense spending, while a majority of their constituents (64% and 74%, respectively) say defense capacity is lacking. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
China’s new professional baseball league is prompting concerns that Beijing is using the sport to expand its political reach, as well as fears that Taiwan would lose a lot of talent across the Strait. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Chinese baseball league announces Taiwanese picks - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
China’s new professional baseball league is prompting concerns that Beijing is using the sport to expand its political reach, as well as fears that Taiwan would lose a lot of talent across the Strait. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
I'm not as shocked as the lady at the back of the photo that the opposition doesn't want to anger Beijing by agreeing to defend itself properly. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
KMT, TPP block special defense budget on Friday's legislative agenda - Focus Taiwan
Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) lawmakers on Tuesday blocked a bill authorizing a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) from being placed on the agenda for Friday...
focustaiwan.tw
December 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I'm not as shocked as the lady at the back of the photo that the opposition doesn't want to anger Beijing by agreeing to defend itself properly. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...