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
Iran, Oman discuss temporary joint shipping corridor for Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, told reporters on Thursday that their two governments had beg
Latvia to Ban All Imports from Belarus and Russia Starting September
Riga’s cabinet ministry announced on Tuesday that Latvia will prohibit the import of all goods originating from Belarus and Russia beginning on 1 September
Arkansas reports seven new cyclosporiasis cases, total reaches 27.
The Arkansas Department of Health announced on Monday that seven additional residents have tested positive for cyclosporiasis, bringing the total number of
Taiwan Pavilion Nimbly Overcomes Political Pressure; Government Defends National Dignity.
South Korea’s renowned contemporary art event, the Gwangju Biennale, underwent a major turnaround at the final hour. The Taiwanese participating entity, wh
Amur Region Gas Plant Fire Claims Lives, Chinese Workers Missing, Rescue Efforts Ongoing.
A major industrial safety accident that has drawn significant international attention occurred recently in the Amur Oblast of the Russian Far East. Accordi
Taiwan's Swiss envoy attends Deven Castle freedom tribute concert, stands with European democratic allies.
The Taipei Representative Office in Slovakia continues to deepen its substantive relations with democratic partners in Central and Eastern Europe. Represen
Anti‑fraud cuts fake investment scams 90%, but online shopping fraud surges sevenfold.
In recent years, fraud syndicates have continuously updated their tactics, posing severe challenges to public security and the financial safety of citizens
Iranian rial hits historic low of 2.02 million per dollar as US sanctions loom
The Iranian rial hit a new historic low on Tuesday, slipping to 2.02 million rials per U.S. dollar, the worst rate ever recorded for the currency. The plun
Turkish airstrike on Garmaal kills four fishermen, cited as piracy retaliation
Turkish warplanes bombed a coastal settlement in Garmaal, Puntland, on Monday, killing at least four people identified by regional authorities as civilian
Taiwan Donates $2 Million Trust Fund to Pacific Islands for Sustainable Fisheries
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today that Taiwan will continue to donate USD 2 million to the second phase of the Chinese Taipei Trust Fund of t
Opposition Criticizes Executive Yuan's Southern Event Amid Windstorm; Official Denies Political Motive
In response to Premier Cho Jung-tai attending a public event and sharing the stage with a party candidate in southern Taiwan while the nation's disaster pr
Tuareg ALF frees 22 Malian soldiers in major prisoner swap
The Azawad Liberation Front (ALF), a Tuareg‑led insurgent group operating in northern Mali, announced on Monday that it had freed 22 Malian soldiers, some
Far-right activist Jake Lang arrested during Minnesota Capitol protest
American far‑right activist Jake Lang was taken into custody on July 14, 2026, during a protest outside the Minnesota State Capitol in Minneapolis. Police
Unmanned vehicle law negotiations collapse; Citizens Party vows 26th showdown
The Legislative Yuan has drawn intense scrutiny over the progress of amendments to the unmanned vehicle bill, with parties across the political spectrum st
Taiwan's National Security Council gains international acclaim as strategic hub amid regional shifts.
Faced with increasingly severe regional geopolitical changes, Taiwan’s National Security Council (NSC) has gradually taken on a heavier and more extensive
U.S. Imposes 50% Tariff on $20 Billion Canadian Goods, Canada Retaliates
The United States announced on Monday that it will impose a 50 percent tariff on roughly US $20 billion of Canadian goods, effective immediately. The move
The Odyssey Surpasses $1.35 Billion, Becoming Highest‑Grossing R‑Rated Film
The fantasy epic *The Odyssey* has just crossed the US$1.35 billion mark at the worldwide box office, setting a new record for the highest‑grossing R‑rated
Lai proposes moving central agencies to Taichung, sparking debate; Zhuo to assess
President Lai Ching-te recently mentioned in a public appearance the idea of potentially relocating central government agencies, such as the Legislative Yu
Three dead, several injured in A66 crash near Middlesbrough.
A three‑vehicle collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire on Tuesday evening left at least three people dead and several others seriously
HRW says Mali’s Africa Corps killed nine civilians, including four children, in Kidal
Human Rights Watch said on Thursday that forces of the Africa Corps, a militia aligned with the Malian government, summarily executed nine civilians – incl
Russian missile‑drone strike on Kyiv kills 15, injures 40, hits hospital
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that a coordinated Russian missile and drone strike on the capital, Kyiv, killed at least 15 people
Four Tōbu Railway workers killed in express train collision near Kanuma
Four railway workers were killed on Tuesday after they were struck by a limited‑express train on the Tōbu Nikkō Line in the city of Kanuma, Tochigi Prefect
JIM Truck Kills Three During Chow Kit Night Raid, Police Investigate
Three people were killed and a fourth wounded in a fatal collision that occurred on Tuesday night in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, when a Malaysian Immigration D
UN reports 2,325 Ebola deaths in DRC, highest in country’s history.
The United Nations has announced that the current Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed at least 2,325 lives, the high