Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te Wins Presidential Vote

 

The Guardian: Taiwan elects Lai Ching-te, from incumbent pro-sovereignty party, as president 

Lai’s Democratic Progressive party wins unprecedented third term in result likely to anger China 

Taiwan has voted for Lai Ching-te to be its next president, ushering in a historic third term in power for the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive party (DPP), in a result that will anger Beijing and heighten tensions across the Taiwan strait. 

The victory of Lai, who since 2020 had served as vice-president to Tsai Ing-wen, marks the continuation of a government that promoted a sovereign Taiwan and a national identity separate to China, and oversaw some of the deepest cross-strait tensions in decades as Beijing pushed towards its goal of annexation.  

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Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te Wins Presidential Vote 

Taiwan elects William Lai president in historic election, angering China -- BBC  

Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te wins presidential vote, vows to defend island from China threats -- France 24  

Taiwan tells China to 'face reality' and respect election results -- France 24  

Taiwan election: China says US 'gravely wrong' to congratulate new leader -- BBC  

West sending ‘wrong signals’ to Taiwan – Beijing -- RT  

Taiwan election: global leaders draw Beijing’s ire for congratulating new president -- The Guardian  

World reacts to Taiwan election as China says reunification ‘inevitable’ -- Al Jazeera 

Who is Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te? -- Al Jazeera  

Ko Wen-je: The dark horse who has shaken up Taiwan's politics -- BBC  

There are three key challenges facing Taiwan's next government. A looming China is just one of them -- ABC News Australia  

How will Taiwan's new leader shape cross-Strait relations? -- DW  

William Lai: Taiwan just chose a president China loathes. What now? -- BBC

Simulating A Major Attack, Taiwan Conducts Military Drills At Taoyuan International Airport

 

CNN: Taiwan’s main airport becomes battleground for simulated Chinese invasion 

Taoyuan, Taiwan CNN — Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport became the scene of a simulated Chinese invasion on Wednesday for the first time ever as the island’s military conducted an anti-takeover drill to fend off any possible attack from Beijing. 

The drill was designed to test the Taiwanese military’s cross-branch coordination and emergency response capabilities during a simulated Chinese invasion, the Ministry of National Defense previously said. 

With military helicopters in the sky and soldiers on the tarmac, the drill at Taiwan’s busiest international gateway reflects how Taipei is preparing for multiple scenarios in the face of fears over China’s increased military intimidation – concerns which have amplified since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began last year.  

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WNU Editor: It looks all military drills are going to be suspended. A typhoon is coming .... Typhoon Doksuri: Taiwan cancels Han Kuang military drills (BBC). 

Taiwan Conducts Military Drills At Taoyuan International Airport  

Simulating enemy attack, Taiwan conducts military drill at main airport -- Reuters  

Taiwan defends main airport against simulated Chinese attack -- DW  

Taiwan's military practises repelling Chinese attack on airport -- Financial Times

Taiwan's National Security Director Says It Has 'Real Time' Five Eyes Links

 

Taipei Times: Taiwan has ‘real time’ Five Eyes links 

Taiwan maintains “real-time” intelligence sharing with the Five Eyes alliance of the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) said yesterday.

Tsai made the remark during a legislative session in Taipei after a lawmaker asked if Taiwan had such exchanges with the group.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Charles Chen (陳以信) said he had discovered that the NSB had been upgrading its computer equipment last year and this year “to the level of those used by intelligence units in foreign countries.” 

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Update #1: Taiwan drills to focus on piercing blockade, get 'Five Eyes' intelligence link (CNA/Reuters)  

Update #2: Taiwan Now Has ‘Real Time’ Intelligence Sharing Link With Five Eyes (Antiwar.com) 

WNU Editor: The West and Taiwan are no longer hiding their military ties and commitments. One can now say the same thing about intelligence ties and commitments.

Warren Buffet Predicts Taiwan War

Fortune: Warren Buffett says the threat of war was a ‘consideration’ in his decision to dump the bulk of his $4 billion stake in chipmaker giant TSMC 

Warren Buffett practically wrote the book on buy-and-hold investing, so when the Oracle of Omaha sells stock after just a few months, he must have good reason. 

The 92-year-old CEO of Berkshire Hathaway said he dumped the bulk of his $4.1 billion stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) within the space of one financial quarter last year in part owing to the risk of war in the island nation. 

Rising geopolitical tensions were “a consideration,” he said in an interview with Nikkei on Tuesday, arguing that he had better places to invest his firm’s capital even if the world's largest chipmaker by volume is a well-managed company.  

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Update: Warren Buffett gives reason for surprise sale of stake in Taiwan’s TSMC (CNN)  

WNU Editor: Selling his stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) only a few months after buying it is just another indication on how quickly the geopolitical situation is changing.

US Would Destroy Taiwan's Semiconductor Factories Rather Than Letting Them Fall Into China's Hands

A Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. plant in Hsinchu, Taiwan | TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO.  

Business Insider: US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories rather than letting them fall into China's hands, a former national security advisor says 

* A former national security advisor said the US would "never" let China gain hold of Taiwan's semiconductor factories. 

* Robert O'Brien told Semafor that China could "control the world economy" with the factories. 

* TSMC is the world's largest chipmaker, powering most of the devices and equipment used every day. 

A former national security advisor said the US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories if China seemed on the verge of controlling them after an invasion. 

Robert O'Brien, who served as national security advisor in the Trump administration, told Semafor the US "and its allies are never going to let those factories fall into Chinese hands." 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is the world's largest chipmaker, making up an estimated 90% of the market for advanced processors. The company produces chips for most devices and equipment like phones and cars that are used every day. More advanced chips produced by the manufacturer are used in highly advanced technology like machine learning and guided missiles. 

If China were to take control of these factories, the country would be "like the new OPEC of silicon chips," O'Brien said, adding that China would be able to "control the world economy."  

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WNU Editor: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is the world's largest chipmaker, making up an estimated 90% of the market for advanced processors. You can take this to the bank. If these factories are destroyed, it is going to be a few years before you will be able to replace your cell phone or computer.

Taiwan Unveils Its New Combat And Surveillance Drones

A view shows Cardinal III UAV on display as Taiwan's Defence Ministry showcases its domestically developed drones to the press in Taichung, Taiwan March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang  

CNN: Taiwan unveils its new combat and surveillance drones as China threat grows  

A Taiwanese state-owned military weapons developer unveiled five new types of indigenous military drones on Tuesday, as the self-ruled island looks to boost its asymmetric warfare capabilities against China’s growing military threat. 

A CNN team was among reporters invited to the National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology, where the Taiwanese weapons developer displayed eight types of locally developed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) – including five models that were shown to the public for the first time. 

The new drones come in different sizes and are equipped with either combat or surveillance capabilities, said Eric Chi, director of the institute’s Aeronautical Systems Research Division, who added that the devices were designed for use by different branches of Taiwan’s military.  

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Taiwan Unveils Its New Combat And Surveillance Drones  

Taiwan unveils small kamikaze drone similar to US Switchblade -- Taiwan News  

Learning from Ukraine, Taiwan shows off its drones as key to 'asymmetric warfare' -- Reuters  

Taiwan unveils portable attack drone as China tensions rise -- AFP

Taiwan To Allow Women To Volunteer For Military Reserve Force Training Amid Threats Of China

CNA Photo  

CNN: Taiwan to allow women into military reserve force training as China fears grow 

Hong Kong CNN — Taiwan’s military on Tuesday rolled out plans to allow women to volunteer for reserve force training for the first time, as China continues to ramp up military pressure on the democratic self-ruled island. 

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said it will allow 220 discharged female soldiers to enroll in the training starting from the second quarter of this year. 

Maj. Gen. Yu Wen-cheng, from the ministry’s All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency, said the move would be on a trial basis for this year. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has previously said it only trained male reservists because it did not have sufficient capacity to accommodate both sexes.  

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Update #1: Amid threats from China, Taiwan to allow women to volunteer for reserve force training (WION)

Update #2: Taiwan to Allow Women Into Reservist Training for First Time (The Defense Post)  

WNU Editor: On a side note. In Taiwan, ex-conscripts feel unprepared for potential China conflict .... ‘If war breaks out … I will just become cannon fodder:’ In Taiwan, ex-conscripts feel unprepared for potential China conflict (CNN).

Poll Says A Majority Of Taiwanese Are Willing To Fight If China Attacks Taiwan

Soldiers march to position during an anti-invasion drill on the beach during the annual Han Kuang military drill in Tainan, Taiwan, September 14, 2021

Taiwan News: Majority of Taiwanese would defend nation if China attacks 

Poll shows 71.9% of Taiwanese willing to fight if China attempts to annex 

Taiwan TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A majority of Taiwanese are willing to defend Taiwan if China uses force against the nation, according to a Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TDF) released on Friday (Dec. 30). 

If China attacks because Taiwan declares independence, 63.8% of respondents said they were willing to fight, while 27.8 % were unwilling to take action. 

However, if China invades Taiwan to annex it, 71.9% of respondents say they were willing to fight, while 19.3% refused to defend the nation. 

The survey polled adults aged 20 and over in Taiwan, excluding Kinmen and Matsu, and was conducted from May 18-23, 2022. Altogether, 825 and 439 effective samples were completed via telephones and mobile phones, respectively. The maximum sampling error is plus or minus 2.76%.  

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WNU Editor: Some are saying that such a war will be over in one day .... ‘Taiwan will roll over’: Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be ‘over in a day’ (SKY News).

Citing the Threat From China, Taiwan Extends Mandatory Military Service From Four Months To One Year

 

Washington Post: Taiwan extends mandatory military service to combat Chinese threat 

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan will extend its compulsory military service from four months to one year — a sign the island sees intensifying Chinese threats as so severe that it must reverse its previous policy that minimized conscription. 

President Tsai Ing-wen announced the changes Tuesday following a high-level meeting of national security officials. “China’s expansion [of military aggression] continues to impact the international order, threatens regional peace and stability, and affects cross-strait relations,” she said. 

"The existing system does not meet combat readiness requirements.” The change to a longer period of service is set to take effect in 2024. 

Men born after 2005 will be required to serve in the military for a year sometime after reaching the age of 19 and before turning 37. Military service is optional for women.  

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WNU Editor: This new service requirement will be starting in 2024. 

 Taiwan Extends Mandatory Military Service From Four Months To One Year 

Taiwan to extend conscription to one year, citing rising China threat -- Reuters

Taiwan extends mandatory military service to one year -- BBC  

Taiwan extends mandatory military service period to counter China threat -- CNN  

Taiwan extending military service mandates amid tensions with China -- The Hill  

Taiwan to extend compulsory military service to one year from 2024 amid rising China threat -- Zee News

Taiwan Announces Plans For A Record Defence Budget After China Drills

CNBC/Reuters: Taiwan proposes large rise in defense spending amid escalating China tensions 

* Taiwan proposed $19 billion in defense spending for next year on Thursday, a double-digit increase on 2022 that includes funds for new fighter jets, weeks after China staged large-scale war games around the island it views as its sovereign territory. 

* China carried out its largest-ever military exercises around the democratically governed island after a visit this month by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The trip infuriated Beijing, which saw it as an attempt by Washington to interfere in China’s internal affairs. 

Taiwan proposed $19 billion in defense spending for next year on Thursday, a double-digit increase on 2022 that includes funds for new fighter jets, weeks after China staged large-scale war games around the island it views as its sovereign territory. 

China carried out its largest-ever military exercises around the democratically governed island after a visit this month by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The trip infuriated Beijing, which saw it as an attempt by Washington to interfere in China’s internal affairs. 

The overall proposed defense budget by President Tsai Ing-wen’s Cabinet sets a 13.9% year-on-year increase to a record T$586.3 billion ($19.41 billion). 

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Taiwan Announces Plans For A Record Defence Budget After China Drills 

Taiwan's planned record defence budget signals to China that use of force could be costly: Expert -- CNA  

Taiwan announces plans for record defence budget after China drills -- AFP  

Taiwan set to boost defense budget to deter Chinese military -- Washington Post  

Taiwan raises defense budget 14.9% amid military reform debate -- Nikkei Asia 

Taiwan plans defense spending hike as China flexes muscles -- DW  

Taiwan proposes large increase in defence spending -- Janes  

Taiwan urged to boost defence spending further despite 14 per cent rise in military budget -- SCMP

Taiwan Conducts Air-Raid Exercise Amid China's Threat

 

VOA/Reuters: Taiwan Holds Air-Raid Exercise Amid China Tension 

Roads emptied and people were ordered to stay indoors in parts of Taiwan, including its capital Taipei, on Monday for an air-raid exercise as the island steps up preparations in the event of a Chinese attack. 

Sirens sounded at 1:30 p.m. (0530 GMT) for the mandatory street evacuation drills, which effectively shut towns and cities across northern Taiwan for 30 minutes. 

A “missile alert,” asking people to evacuate to safety immediately, was sent via text message. 

“It is necessary to make preparations in the event of a war,” Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je said in a speech after overseeing drills for the exercise named Wan An, which means everlasting peace.  

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Taiwan Conducts Air-Raid Exercise Amid China's Threat  

Taiwan holds drills amid Pelosi visit concern, China tension -- AP  

Missile alert: Taiwan holds air-raid drill amid tensions with China -- DPA  

Taiwan Prepares For War With Air-Raid Exercise Amid China's Threat, Sends Out 'Missile Alert' -- IBTimes  

Wanan air defense drill kicks off in northern Taiwan -- Focus Taiwan

Taiwan Passes An Extra US$8.6 Billion Defence Budget For New Weapons Purchases

Taiwan built Yushan landing platform dock. CNA file photo  

CNA: Taiwan passes extra US$8.6 billion defence budget as China threat grows 

TAIPEI: Taiwan's parliament on Tuesday (Jan 11) passed an extra spending bill of nearly US$8.6 billion in its latest bid to boost defence capabilities against an increasingly bellicose China. 

The government proposed a five-year special defence budget of around TW$237.3 billion (US$8.57 billion) from 2022 as Chinese warplanes breached its air defence zone at unprecedented levels last year. 

Democratic Taiwan lives under constant threat of an invasion by authoritarian China, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day - by force if necessary.  

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Update #1: Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan approves NT$236.95 billion extra defense budget (Taiwan News)  

Update #2: Taiwan passes extra $8.6bn defence budget as China threat grows (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: This extra expenditure is for new weapons .... Legislature approves special budget for weapons purchases (Focus Taiwan).

Taiwan Troops Simulate Urban Warfare Against China

 

Daily Mail: Taiwan stages urban street battle war games to simulate a Chinese invasion amid rising tensions with Beijing 

* Taiwanese soldiers from two platoons faced off in a simulated battle in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on Thursday 

* They were seen firing at each other from houses and sandbag barricades as tanks rolled into a mock-up town 

* Comes as authoritarian neighbour China has ramped up military drills and diplomatic pressure in recent years 

Taiwanese troops and armoured vehicles were deployed Thursday for a mock urban street battle in the latest drill preparing forces against China, which has long vowed to take the island. 

On Thursday, soldiers from two platoons faced off in a simulated battle in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, firing at each other from houses and sandbag barricades as tanks rolled down a street in a mock-up town complete with signs for pharmacies and beer brands. 

One soldier was seen throwing an aerosol bomb outside a fake O'Donoghues pub, sending pink smoke bellowing into the air, while dummy bodies of 'dead soldiers' were seen laying on the ground.  

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Taiwan Troops Simulate Urban Warfare Against China 

Taiwan military showcases urban terrain operations in Kaohsiung mock town -- Focus Taiwan  

Taiwan troops simulate urban warfare with China -- France 24  

Taiwanese army troops stage urban battle exercise in front of fake 'O'Donoghue's' Irish pub -- Irish Mirror  

Taiwan troops simulate urban warfare fearing China invasion -- TRT World

Taiwan Air Force Stages War Drills

A Taiwan C-130 flies past two F-16V fighter jets during an annual New Year's drill in Chiayi. © Reuters/ANN WANG  

Reuters: Taiwan air force stages drill to intercept Chinese planes amid tensions 

CHIAYI, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan air force jets screamed into the sky on Wednesday in a drill simulating a war scenario, showing its combat readiness amid heightened military tensions with China, which claims the island as its own. 

Before takeoff, flight crews at a base in the southern city of Chiayi - home to U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets that are frequently scrambled to intercept Chinese warplanes - rushed to ready aircraft as an alarm sounded. 

The exercises were part of a three-day drill to show Taiwan's battle readiness ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of this month.  

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Update: Taiwan fighter jets act out war scenario (RT)  

WNU Editor: Chinese President Xi response is to tell the military to redouble its efforts .... Xi urges armed forces to redouble efforts to combine training with combat operations in mobilization order for military training in 2022 (Global Times).

Poll: Only 7 Out Of 10 In Taiwan Would Fight A Chinese Invasion

A row of American-made F-16V fighter aircraft are pictured on the tarmac at Chiayi Air Base in Taiwan during a commissioning ceremony on November 18, 2021. National polling published on December 29, 2021, found seven out of 10 Taiwanese residents were willing to take up arms to prevent forced unification with China. © Makoto Lin/Office of the President, Taiwan  

Newsweek: 7 Out of 10 in Taiwan Would Fight China To Stop Forced Unification: Poll 

Over 70 percent of respondents in a recent survey in Taiwan said they would fight China if it tried to force "unification" with the island. 

The poll, published by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) think tank on Wednesday, found 62.7 percent of respondents also would be willing to take up arms if a war broke out because of "Taiwan's declaring formal independence." 

Just over one-quarter said they wouldn't fight under such a scenario. 

The strikingly high willingness to oppose Beijing "if China uses force against Taiwan"—72.5 versus 18.6 percent—may be a reflection of the question's framing, which usually doesn't include a specific hypothetical circumstance.  

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Update: Poll says 72.5% of Taiwanese willing to fight against forced unification by China (Taipei Times) 

WNU Editor: Only 72% !?!?!? IMHO this is not a very reassuring number. It should be closer to 100%.

Is Taiwan’s Defense Plans Going Off The Rails?

Image: Taiwan Presidential Office (Photo by Wang Yu Ching) 

War On The Rocks: Taiwan’s Defense Plans Are Going Off the Rails 

As the United States talks more and more of defending Taiwan from an attack from the mainland, Taiwan’s military seems to be taking its defense preparations less and less seriously. Policymakers and voters alike increasingly see Taiwan as a friend worth protecting. After all, despite their many differences, the Trump and Biden administrations both signaled support for Taipei while working to bolster its defenses. Just this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Beijing that the United States would “take action” in response to an attack on Taiwan. Taiwan likewise enjoys deep bipartisan support in an otherwise divided Congress. Comedians are even starting to get in on the act. Most striking of all, public opinion polling now suggests that the average American is willing to fight for the island.  

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WNU Editor: When it comes to its military China has changed. Taiwan has not.

Taiwan Commissions Advanced F-16Vs With Growing Tensions With China

 

Reuters: Taiwan commissions advanced new F-16s as China threat grows 

CHIAYI, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen lauded military cooperation with Washington on Thursday as she commissioned the first combat wing of F-16 fighters upgraded with U.S. help to bolster the island's defences during rising tensions between Taipei and Beijing. 

Frequent Chinese and U.S. military exercises in the region have raised fears of conflict touched off by a crisis over democratically-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. 

Tsai told a ceremony at an air base in the southern Taiwanese city of Chiayi to unveil the first squadron of its most advanced F-16s, the F-16V, that the project showed the firm commitment of the Taiwan-U.S. partnership.  

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WNU Editor: China is not impressed .... Taiwan’s new submarine, warplanes cannot change widening military gap with mainland: experts (Global Times). 

More News On Taiwan Deploying Advanced F-16Vs With Growing Tensions With China  

Taiwan deploys advanced F-16V fighter jets amid China threat -- AP  

Taiwan deploys advanced fighter jets amid tensions with China -- The Hill  

Taiwan holds ceremony for advanced F-16V fighter jets -- CNN 

Taiwan deploys the F-16V, its latest and most advanced jet to date -- Aero Time

Taiwan Vows to 'Defend Itself' Amid U.S. Reversal

A graphic using the latest U.S. military assessment of Chinese and Taiwanese military strength shows the scope of the imbalance of power across the geopolitically sensitive Taiwan Strait. © Statista  

Newsweek: Taiwan Vows to 'Defend Itself' Amid U.S. Reversal, Here's How Much Stronger China Is  

Taiwan has said it would express the will to defend itself amid a quick U.S. reversal on an apparent promise to defend the self-ruling island and warnings from mainland China, which claims it as part of the People's Republic. 

President Joe Biden stirred controversy during a Thursday evening town hall when he twice appeared to confirm that he had a commitment to protect Taiwan in the event of an attack, one that would presumably come from China, where President Xi Jinping has vowed to take reintegrate the rival government by diplomacy, or force, if necessary.  

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WNU Editor: China is still sticking to their position .... China is “Ready to Fight Any Time” Over Taiwan (National Interest).

Taiwan Air Force Releases Defiant Video After Chinese Incursions

 

Taiwan News: Taiwan Air Force releases defiant video after Chinese incursions 

Video shows Taiwan's F-16, IDF, Mirage 2000 fighter jets in action 

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As China began to send large numbers of aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), the country's Air Force on Saturday (Oct. 2) released a patriotic video meant to showcase its military capabilities and determination to defend the nation. 

On Friday (Oct. 1) during China's national day, a record 38 Chinese military aircraft violated Taiwan's ADIZ, though this mark was quickly surpassed with 39 more People's Liberation Army Aircraft (PLAAF) planes the next day. An additional 16 PLAAF aircraft appeared on Sunday (Oct. 3), and another record-shattering 56 planes breached the zone on Monday (Oct. 4), bringing the four-day total to 149 warplanes. 

In the midst of these waves of enemy aircraft, the Air Force on Saturday evening released a video on its Facebook page titled "Defend the Airspace and Never Compromise." The patriotic video flashes scenes of fighter jets taking off and intercepting enemy planes, E-2K Hawkeye early-warning aircraft monitoring airspace, and other air combat training footage.  

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WNU Editor: China's "defiant" videos are better (see below). 

Beijing Warns US About Military Helping Taiwan

 

Daily Mail: Chinese state newspaper threatens airstrikes on US troops in Taiwan as it's revealed special ops and Marines have been secretly training forces there for a YEAR 

* China's state-run newspaper Global Times - a mouthpiece for the ruling Communist Party threatened US troops in Taiwan 

* It came after a report revealed they've been training Taiwan forces for a year 

* China previously threated that they would 'crush' US troops in Taiwan amid false claims that the US had 30,000 troops in the island nation back in August 

* The threats come as the Biden administration announced the CIA would refocus its espionage efforts along the South China Sea as tensions grow 

* A senior US diplomat warned China poses a 'real and imminent' threat to Taiwan, with the Taiwanese defense minister saying an invasion could happen by 2025 

* Amid the chaos, a US nuclear submarine hit a 'mysterious object' along the South China Sea, injuring 11 sailors on Thursday 

Chinese leaders have blasted the US after a report on Thursday revealed that American special ops troops and Marines have been secretly training Taiwan forces for a year, as tension continue to mount between the two global superpowers. 

US officials told the Wall Street Journal that around two dozen members of U.S. special-operations and support troops are training small units of Taiwan's ground forces, while Marines are working with local maritime forces against an increasing likelihood of a Chinese attack.  

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WNU Editor: I expected a harsher Chinese response, which leads me to believe that China already knew that US military personnel were in Taiwan training its troops. 

Update #1: China acknowledging that the current U.S. presence in Taiwan is not really a threat .... US troops’ secret presence in Taiwan island ‘no real threat,’ but could ‘bring China’s reunification closer’ (Global Times).  

Update #2: US’ revelation of troops in Taiwan will only hasten cross-Straits war: Global Times editorial (Global Times editorial). 

 More News On Beijing Warning The US About Military Helping Taiwan  

China warns US following reports Marines are training Taiwanese forces -- Washington Examiner  

China Urges U.S. to Abide by Deal to Keep Troops Out of Taiwan -- Bloomberg 

China calls on US to abide by agreement, keep troops out of Taiwan -- The Hill  

China Warns US About Military Helping Taiwan -- Newsmax 

China's mouthpiece calls for airstrikes to kill US 'invaders' in Taiwan -- Taiwan News  

Chinese Air Force Should Kill American 'Invaders' in Taiwan, State Newspaper Boss Says -- Newsweek  

Chinese Journo Denounces ‘US Invaders’ Amid News of Secret Special Forces Training on Taiwan -- Sputnik  

China upset that U.S. forces have been training Taiwanese troops -- Hot Air  

Beijing expected to react to reports US troops are training Taiwan forces -- SCMP