Taipei

Taipei has stated that Washington understands Taiwan's defense requirements, amid ongoing concerns over the island's security. The remarks underscore the close, if unofficial, security relationship between the United States and Taiwan as cross-strait tensions with Beijing continue to shape regional diplomacy.

A close look at the Taipei City mayoral contest frames it as a battle between a well-connected KMT candidate from a political family and a DPP outsider. Although Taipei has long been considered a KMT stronghold, support for the DPP's candidate Puma Shen is rising sharply and unexpectedly, prompting debate about whether the race is more competitive than previously assumed and what that could mean for the party's hold on the capital.