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.
Taiwan has been excluded from Interpol since China's admission as a member in 1984, despite continued requests to participate in the Interpol General Assembly as an observer. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
U.S. lawmakers push for Taiwan membership in Interpol - Focus Taiwan
United States House of Representatives members have proposed a bill that requires the U.S. secretary of state to develop a strategic approach to secure Taiwan's membership in the International Crimina...
focustaiwan.tw
November 26, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Taiwan has been excluded from Interpol since China's admission as a member in 1984, despite continued requests to participate in the Interpol General Assembly as an observer. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
President Lai Ching-te: "[We] hope the opposition parties can support Taiwan's national security regardless of political stance, so that [we] can safeguard everyone's way of life and keep the economy growing." focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
KMT slams Lai's 'astronomical' US$40 billion defense proposal - Focus Taiwan
Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers criticized President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) "astronomical" US$40 billion defense proposal as lacking detail, and questioned whether it was part of a quid pro quo wi...
focustaiwan.tw
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
President Lai Ching-te: "[We] hope the opposition parties can support Taiwan's national security regardless of political stance, so that [we] can safeguard everyone's way of life and keep the economy growing." focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
In a video posted on Douyin last month, Ho, wearing a t-shirt featuring a portrait of Mao, said she hoped Taiwan would "soon return to the embrace of the motherland." focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
KMT committee member resigns after 'unification' video controversy - Focus Taiwan
Ho Ying-lu (何鷹鷺), a member of the Kuomintang's (KMT) Central Standing Committee, announced her resignation from the opposition party Wednesday amid controversy over a video she made calling for Taiwan...
focustaiwan.tw
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
In a video posted on Douyin last month, Ho, wearing a t-shirt featuring a portrait of Mao, said she hoped Taiwan would "soon return to the embrace of the motherland." focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
It's common practice in China to rent a white foreigner to play the role of senior management when other companies visit your company. www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Rental Family’ spotlights real-life Japanese businesses that offer fill-in relatives, friends - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
It's common practice in China to rent a white foreigner to play the role of senior management when other companies visit your company. www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
“I think you have had these thoughts since your days as a simple lawmaker,” he said. “But, as commander-in-chief of the Self-Defense Forces, there are things you cannot say. Inadvertently voicing your personal views is rather imprudent.” www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
Takaichi hints that Taiwan remarks were off the cuff
The PM has indicated that she didn’t initially intend to offer an example of what she could consider a “survival-threatening situation” that would allow the SDF to be deployed.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 26, 2025 at 12:19 PM
“I think you have had these thoughts since your days as a simple lawmaker,” he said. “But, as commander-in-chief of the Self-Defense Forces, there are things you cannot say. Inadvertently voicing your personal views is rather imprudent.” www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
Demographic Decline: US company says baby boom is over, chases Japan's Unicharm in rising market for adult pads. asia.nikkei.com/business/bus...
Kimberly-Clark, maker of Huggies diapers, taps Vietnam as factory hub
US company says baby boom is over, chases Japan's Unicharm in rising market for adult pads
asia.nikkei.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Demographic Decline: US company says baby boom is over, chases Japan's Unicharm in rising market for adult pads. asia.nikkei.com/business/bus...
Message: Attack Japan and you will be attacked, anywhere. www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/c...
China criticizes Japan's plan to deploy missiles on island near Taiwan
The remarks come amid the two countries’ worst diplomatic crisis in years after the Japanese prime minister said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.
www.nbcnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Message: Attack Japan and you will be attacked, anywhere. www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/c...
If the “status quo” cannot be maintained, 61 percent lean toward independence and 21.8 percent lean toward unification, the poll showed. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Vast majority of Taiwanese do not like China: poll - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:25 PM
If the “status quo” cannot be maintained, 61 percent lean toward independence and 21.8 percent lean toward unification, the poll showed. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Yonaguni is home to a surveillance radar facility that scans nearby seas and airspace, as well as an electronic warfare unit introduced last year that could be used to jam enemy communications and guidance systems. www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/a...
Japan to deploy missiles on Yonaguni - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Yonaguni is home to a surveillance radar facility that scans nearby seas and airspace, as well as an electronic warfare unit introduced last year that could be used to jam enemy communications and guidance systems. www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/a...
Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) bitcoin mining computers could theoretically be flipped from afar to spy on sensitive areas or trigger chaos in critical infrastructure. gizmodo.com/homeland-sec...
Homeland Security Is Reportedly Probing Bitcoin Mining Giant Bitmain for National Security Reasons
And there's an additional Trump family connection.
gizmodo.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) bitcoin mining computers could theoretically be flipped from afar to spy on sensitive areas or trigger chaos in critical infrastructure. gizmodo.com/homeland-sec...
Taiwan will need to remain nimble in how it presents its value proposition to the United States. Recitations of a struggle between democracy versus autocracy will not move Trump. www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...
Ryan Hass On Taiwan: America’s debates on Taiwan are interesting, Trump’s views are determinative - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Taiwan will need to remain nimble in how it presents its value proposition to the United States. Recitations of a struggle between democracy versus autocracy will not move Trump. www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...
It's unknown whether Nvidia will be able to sell the H200 chips as they are, or if it will be required to downgrade them, as with the H20 chip. Also, Beijing would have to be convinced that the chips do not constitute a security threat. www.fool.com/investing/20...
A Trump Policy Pivot Could Hand Nvidia Billions in AI Chip Sales -- If It Happens | The Motley Fool
Could Nvidia sell its H200 chips in China?
www.fool.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:24 AM
It's unknown whether Nvidia will be able to sell the H200 chips as they are, or if it will be required to downgrade them, as with the H20 chip. Also, Beijing would have to be convinced that the chips do not constitute a security threat. www.fool.com/investing/20...
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong wrote, “if Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression.” (and invading Taiwan would not be?) www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...
EDITORIAL: Japan-China spat divides Taiwan - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong wrote, “if Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression.” (and invading Taiwan would not be?) www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...
Easily Replaceable: “I don’t think there’s been any sudden, dramatic change,” he said, despite estimating that on a normal day about half the hungry diners who queue outside his door are Chinese. www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/arc...
Japan brushes off Chinese tourist worries - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Easily Replaceable: “I don’t think there’s been any sudden, dramatic change,” he said, despite estimating that on a normal day about half the hungry diners who queue outside his door are Chinese. www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/arc...
The official said it would be nearly impossible for China to deploy landing craft like the ones Reuters observed during an invasion, because they would be vulnerable to small, easily-portable weapons such as shoulder-fired missiles. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
FEATURE: China works to expand amphibious capability - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:49 AM
The official said it would be nearly impossible for China to deploy landing craft like the ones Reuters observed during an invasion, because they would be vulnerable to small, easily-portable weapons such as shoulder-fired missiles. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
“a Japan emergency is a Taiwanese emergency.” www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Lawmakers urge public to buy Japanese goods - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:40 AM
“a Japan emergency is a Taiwanese emergency.” www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
When asked about specific potential? US policies to support Taiwan, many Americans—at least four in 10—say they don’t know enough to provide a response. globalaffairs.org/research/pub...
Americans Grow More Supportive of Aiding Taiwan in a China Crisis
Still, the US public prefers to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait rather than risk military confrontation with Beijing.
globalaffairs.org
November 22, 2025 at 11:14 AM
When asked about specific potential? US policies to support Taiwan, many Americans—at least four in 10—say they don’t know enough to provide a response. globalaffairs.org/research/pub...
Split Decision: A larger percentage of Americans now support using the US Navy to break a Chinese blockade against the island: 47 percent favor doing so, up 10 points from 2024, while 47 percent oppose. globalaffairs.org/research/pub...
Americans Grow More Supportive of Aiding Taiwan in a China Crisis
Still, the US public prefers to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait rather than risk military confrontation with Beijing.
globalaffairs.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Split Decision: A larger percentage of Americans now support using the US Navy to break a Chinese blockade against the island: 47 percent favor doing so, up 10 points from 2024, while 47 percent oppose. globalaffairs.org/research/pub...
Ordynovych, currently director of strategic support and development at the Ukrainian Freedom Fund, stressed the importance of involving the president in "rehearsals" based on how security situations could evolve. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
Ex-Ukrainian colonel urges Taiwan's president to engage in wartime rehearsals - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan's president should participate in "rehearsals" in anticipation of possible enemy maneuvers in a war to avoid giving misjudged commands and to help establish clear rules of engagement (ROE) -- s...
focustaiwan.tw
November 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Ordynovych, currently director of strategic support and development at the Ukrainian Freedom Fund, stressed the importance of involving the president in "rehearsals" based on how security situations could evolve. focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
Boots On The Ground?: The survey also showed that 43 percent of respondents supported sending US troops to Taiwan to defend against China, the highest support across four years and up 7 percentage points from last year. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
US public support for Taiwan growing - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Boots On The Ground?: The survey also showed that 43 percent of respondents supported sending US troops to Taiwan to defend against China, the highest support across four years and up 7 percentage points from last year. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
The package will also include financial support for local governments to launch their own measures, such as rice vouchers, to deal with rising prices, with around 3,000 yen provided per person. (will free rice fills become a thing of the past?) english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...
Japan looks to compile over 20 tril. yen stimulus package amid rising costs
The Japanese government is looking to compile an economic package worth more than 20 trillion yen ($129 billion) to ease the pain of rising living costs, a source close to the matter said Wednesday.
english.kyodonews.net
November 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The package will also include financial support for local governments to launch their own measures, such as rice vouchers, to deal with rising prices, with around 3,000 yen provided per person. (will free rice fills become a thing of the past?) english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...
Raytheon was awarded a nearly US$700 million contract to produce National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) fire units destined for Taiwan, expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2031. (too late?) www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
US awards US$700m NASAMS contract to bolster Taiwan’s air defense - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Raytheon was awarded a nearly US$700 million contract to produce National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) fire units destined for Taiwan, expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2031. (too late?) www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
With detailed analysis, satellite imagery can be turned into "a range of intelligence to safeguard the nation," Wu said. focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202...
Sharper eyes: Taiwan Formosat-8 to improve disaster relief, security - Focus Taiwan
Facing the need for more precise information to counter the frequent natural disasters and security risks it faces, Taiwan is turning to a new satellite constellation to deliver faster, clearer images...
focustaiwan.tw
November 18, 2025 at 12:41 PM
With detailed analysis, satellite imagery can be turned into "a range of intelligence to safeguard the nation," Wu said. focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202...
A more valuable question would be “if under attack and bombs are falling, would you do your part — using your skills, talents and abilities — to best serve in the defense of your community and your nation?” www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Donovan’s Deep Dives: Taiwanese will unite and fight in war - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM
A more valuable question would be “if under attack and bombs are falling, would you do your part — using your skills, talents and abilities — to best serve in the defense of your community and your nation?” www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Taiwanese can show their support by travelling to Japan www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
China travel advisory good for other visitors: bloggers - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Taiwanese can show their support by travelling to Japan www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...