Helen Davidson

China pressing European countries to bar Taiwan politicians or face crossing a ‘red line’ Exclusive: Chinese officials are using a ‘highly specific’ interpretation of EU rules to suggest Taiwanese figures should not be granted visas, officials say Chinese officials have been pushing “legal advice” on European countries, saying their own border laws require them to ban entry to Taiwanese politicians, according to more than half a dozen diplomats and officials familiar with the matter. The officials made demarches to European embassies in Beijing, or through local embassies directly to European governments in their capital cities, warning the European countries not to “trample on China’s red lines”, according to the European diplomats and ministries who spoke to the Guardian. Continue reading...

China pressing European countries to bar Taiwan politicians or face crossing a ‘red line’

Through various demarches, Chinese officials told the Europeans they were required to ban the entry of Taiwanese officials and politicians into their country

China pressing European countries to bar Taiwan politicians or face crossing a ‘red line’ Exclusive: Chinese officials are using a ‘highly specific’ interpretation of EU rules to suggest Taiwanese figures should not be granted visas, officials say

My final Taiwan byline for the Guardian with a scoop on Beijing’s latest creative pressure campaign: telling Europe they’ve misunderstood their own border laws, actually

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

Forensic analysis of objective video evidence. This is how you serve readers searching for clarity.

Disney Captain Hook

I am gonna make it through this year if it kills Smee

When you get the reputation of being the guy with the encouraging words on New Year's Eve, it can start to come through as a little pressure -- what if the situation on the ground is worse than usual? what if people are more scared than they usually are, and with cause? what use are good vibes then?

Over 5500 camp victims added to the archive, and with them over 1500 new faces.

It’s been so inconsistent for at least the last year. Sometimes it’s clearly pegged to a specific thing. Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes they don’t say anything! Sometimes they don’t say anything and then three weeks later change their mind and say “oh yeah, that was about the separatists” 🤷‍♀️

China launches live-fire drills encircling Taiwan Taipei condemns exercise that Chinese army calls ‘a stern warning against “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and external interference forces’ China has launched live-fire military drills around Taiwan, in what it calls a warning to “separatist” forces in Taiwan and “external interference” by foreign parties. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) – the military wing of the ruling Communist party in China – said it had sent naval, air force and rocket forces to surround Taiwan on Monday morning. Continue reading...

China launches live-fire drills encircling Taiwan

‘Ferryman of the souls’: the man who helps Taiwan’s dead return home to China Liu De-wen operates at a sensitive space in Taiwan’s history, as Beijing demands reunification with the island

“What I care deeply about is building this kind of bridge for veterans to go home.” @heldavidson.bsky.social reports on a Taiwan borough chief who brings the ashes of KMT veterans back to their final resting place in the PRC.

Loved reporting this story, looking at the deeper ties and complications in the history and fallout of the cross-Strait relationship

Good morning, Taiwan

🎞️: Yes! Star 200

HK fire: 1 month on, residents reel from trauma, pondering their future One month after the deadly fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Nov 26, survivors are still reeling from the psychological trauma of losing their homes and loved ones while struggling to adapt...

One month after the deadly fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Nov 26, survivors are still reeling from the psychological trauma of losing their homes and loved ones while struggling to adapt to life amidst displacement and bereavement. In full: buff.ly/PgBJu1y

Australia had local council elections and friends were bemoaning that they had no idea about any of the candidates or what they did. It was a lightbulb moment - local newspapers had shut down in the last 5 years. State/national outlets aren't sending reporters to local council meetings.

‘Not for the people’: Myanmar junta prepares for elections designed to legitimise grip on power Elections will be first since military seized power in 2021, but analysts say vote is far from a step toward democracy

'Since July more than 200 people have already been arrested, including for merely liking social media posts criticising the vote.'
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

US drops plan to deport Chinese national who exposed Xinjiang abuses, rights activists say The Department of Homeland Security has dropped its plan to deport a Chinese national who entered the country illegally after his plight raised public concerns that the man, if deported, would be puni...

US drops plan to deport Chinese national who exposed Xinjiang abuses,
apnews.com/article/chin...

‘Is this real?’: wife of detained pastor describes anguish as China cracks down on unofficial churches Church leaders and members detained as government tightens controls on underground Christian gatherings

'Should she return to China to be nearer to her husband, but risk arrest herself? Should she stay in Thailand, a country that has... a history of complying with deportation requests from Beijing? Should she seek refuge elsewhere?' By @amyabides.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Primary languages used in Taiwan

Taiwan is home to four major language groups.
This map shows which language is most commonly used in everyday conversations in each district, reflecting dominant use, not exclusivity.

Great story from @amyabides.bsky.social

The outcome of Honduras’ 30 November election is yet to be called. But there is a clear winner beyond the Central American nation’s borders: Taiwan.

From Mat Youkee and me.

"Sky's analysis, based on data from internet registry APNIC, suggests that one in five Starlink users (21%) are accessing the service from countries where the company has no licence to operate – such as Sudan, Myanmar and Iraq."

Syrian home town of Ahmed al-Ahmed rallies around the Bondi hero, amid the rubble of civil war In Nayrab, a town near the Syrian city of Idlib, the family of Ahmed al-Ahmed have been overwhelmed by the global response to his act of bravery

Syrian home town of Ahmed al-Ahmed rallies around the Bondi hero, amid the rubble of civil war

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“I always had the knowledge that my dad was doing the right thing and not the easy thing”, says Sebastien Lai, whose father Jimmy was convicted of national security charges today.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

The rise and fall of Jimmy Lai, whose trajectory mirrored that of Hong Kong itself Progressing from child labourer to billionaire, Lai used his power and wealth to promote democracy, which ultimately pitted him against authorities in Beijing

The rise and fall of Jimmy Lai, whose trajectory mirrored that of Hong Kong itself

Police and government now addressing media outside court, following national security conviction of Jimmy Lai

Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong pro-democracy figure convicted of national security offences Verdicts on foreign collusion and sedition charges were city’s most closely watched rulings in decades

Jimmy Lai found guilty on all charges.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court finds pro-democracy figure guilty of all charges – live Incarcerated activist and media owner has been on trial for more than two years on national security charges * Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong judges set to rule on national security charges The three high court judges have entered the courtroom and taken their seats. The hearing is due to begin and Lai has entered the court, news reports are saying, adding that he waved to his family. Continue reading...

Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court finds pro-democracy figure guilty of all charges – live

One HK man Simon told me he’s here to support Lai and his wife, but he’s not optimistic about the verdict. He and a friend are carrying bright red apples, to represent the Apple Daily newspaper which Lai founded, and which was forced to close by authorities.