Michael Chen
Asia-Pacific Desk
Michael Chen leads Asia-Pacific coverage at The Taiwan Times, reporting on political, economic and social change across East and Southeast Asia. He has reported from Tokyo, Seoul, Hanoi and Jakarta.
He values first-hand material and local perspective, and has a gift for spotting a regional trend in a single local story. He pays particular attention to cross-strait dynamics and their knock-on effects for Indo-Pacific security and supply chains.
He believes the Asia-Pacific is the region Taiwanese readers most need to understand yet the one most often flattened by Western media, so he insists on portraying neighbouring countries in all their complexity.
Areas of expertise
- East Asia
- Southeast Asia
- Cross-strait affairs
Latest by Michael Chen
Truck crashes into crowd outside Gwalior temple, 13 dead, 40 injured.
A heavy truck lost control and plowed into a crowd of devotees outside a temple in the city of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday evening, killing at lea
Lai Chi-hsia Unveils Immersive Opera Sound Experience Blending Traditional Crafts
The National Taichung Theater has continued to promote its resident artist program in recent years, dedicated to providing creators with a stage for cross-
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi sends ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine, avoids visiting to ease tensions
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi contributed a "tamagushi-ryō" (offering fee) as a personal expense through Hiroshi Kajiyama, the General Affairs Cha
Taiwan Boosts Cybersecurity and Literacy Amid AI Disinformation Attacks Before Election
With the presidential and legislative elections approaching at the end of the year, Taiwanese society is currently in a highly politically sensitive period
Taiwan Comic Legend Loses Wulong Yuan Trademark, Sparking IP Crisis Concerns
Ao You-hsiang, a titan of the Taiwanese comic industry and a globally renowned cartoonist famous for his classic work "Wulong Yuan" (Master Fool), recently
US Restores Crucial Intelligence, Escalating Russian Airstrikes and Boosting Ukraine's Defense
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, international support—particularly military and intelligence assistance from
Lai Ching-te Rallies Support for Lin Kuo-chang's Campaign Headquarters Opening
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Yilan County magistrate candidate Lin Kuo-chang grandly held the inauguration rally for his South Yilan Campaign Headqua
Explosion at Alberta’s CFB Wainwright Base Kills Seven, Triggers Wildfire
The explosion and ensuing wildfire that erupted at Canada’s CFB Wainwright in Alberta on Tuesday night left seven people dead and dozens more injured, acco
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Mobilize Voters Ahead of Midterm Elections
Demonstrators gathered in cities across the United States on Friday for the fourth wave of the "No Kings" protests, voicing widespread opposition to the po
Supreme Prosecutors Office Appeals Controversial High Court Verdict in Ex-Chairman Embezzlement Case
In the retrial of the high-profile asset-siphoning case involving former Smiling Life Insurance Chairman Teng Wen-tsung by the Taiwan High Court, the legal
Wei Chuan Dragons Coach Prioritizes Experience, Drops Tsao, Names Huang as Opener
At a critical juncture in preparing for the Taiwan Series, Wei Chuan Dragons manager Yeh Chun-chang has made deliberate arrangements regarding roster manag
Emergency investigation launched after deadly fire at Canadian military base
Canadian Prime Minister Zander Carney delivered a brief statement in front of Parliament on Friday (the 17th), stating that a "major incident" had occurred
China increases activities near Taitung, prompting trilateral defense cooperation among Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines.
On February 14 of this year, a Japanese expert familiar with China's maritime policies pointed out in a media interview that China's attempts to intensify
Wei Chuan Dragons shut out CTBC Brothers to win Taiwan Series opener
The Taiwan Series, the championship finals of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, has ignited with intense action. In the opening game, the Wei Chuan
Taiwan lottery shock as latest numbers spark massive public excitement
The Jincolor 539 lottery, issued by the Taiwan Public Welfare Lottery Company, held its draw for issue number 115252 tonight, attracting numerous citizens
Hsinchu election rising star Hsu Hsin-ying unveils transport plans, vows clean governance
Hsinchu County is welcoming a fresh wave of leadership in the upcoming magisterial election. Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Hsu Hsin-ying officially establishe
Piper Tomahawk II crashes near Drymen, Scotland, killing both occupants.
A Piper Tomahawk II aircraft crashed near Drymen in Stirling, Scotland, on Friday, killing both occupants. The single‑engine airplane, registered as G‑HIS
Astronomers Discover Universe’s First Known Green Star Challenging Astrophysical Models
An international team of astronomers has announced the discovery of the universe’s first known green star, challenging long-standing astrophysical models r
Experts urge strict workload limits for Ohtani after Dodgers' three-peat dream shatters
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ hope of a third consecutive World Series title was finally shattered in the highly anticipated Major League Baseball season, and t
Taiwan Employment Card Surpasses 18,000 Users as Digital Sector Booms
Taiwan has reached another significant milestone in its pursuit of top international talent. According to the latest statistics from the National Developme
Moody's Upgrades Egypt to B3 with Positive Outlook
Moody's upgraded Egypt's long-term debt credit rating by one notch from Caa1 to B3 today, while maintaining a positive outlook. This move indicates that th
Dragons young left-hander Huang Chi-Cheng announces sudden retirement before Taiwan Series
The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPAL) Taiwan Series is set to kick off tomorrow, an event that should be the ultimate climax for baseball fans ac
Latest 539 Lottery Results: 3-Star and 4-Star Winners Announced
In the daily lives of people in Taiwan, lottery draws often carry countless people's hopes and imaginations for the future. Taiwan Lottery Company conducte
EU Faces Fiscal Rift as It Debates 70 Billion Euro Ukraine Aid
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, plunging relations between the two countries into a prolonged military conflict. Sin