Taiwan is not alone and has more and more friends around the world and will continue to show the world its resolve, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said on Sunday after returning from a landmark diplomatic-breakthrough trip to Europe.

Today, Takaichi said her comment was referring to the “worst-case scenario” for Taiwan. As it echoed the views of the Japanese government, Takaichi said she would not retract the statement. However, she did vow to exercise greater caution when commenting on a “Taiwan contingency” in the future.

Taiwan's deputy leader has urged the European Union to strengthen security and trade ties with Taiwan and support its democracy amid growing threats from China.

President Lai Ching-te rejected Beijing’s latest push to get the self-governing island to come under Chinese control under a system of autonomy it uses for Hong Kong and Macau.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at Monday's regular press conference that the Japanese leader had recently made erroneous remarks regarding Taiwan in the Diet, implying the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Straits.

Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has said her remark last week about a possible Taiwan emergency does not change the government's existing position. She was speaking at a Lower House Budget Committee session on Monday.

Taiwan must be allowed full and equal participation when China hosts APEC next year, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday, after Taipei complained that Beijing had "added a lot of conditions" to its attendance.

U.S. officials have long been concerned about the possibility of China using military force against Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.

EU member states, like most countries, have no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and follow the "One China" policy.View on euronews

Taiwan's exports in October 2025 hit a record high US$61.8 billion, surpassing the US$60 billion mark for the first time, driven by the AI boom and strong demand for new consumer electronics products.