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
US Imposes New Sanctions on Sudan Forces Over Chemical Weapons Use
The U.S. government officially announced a new round of sanctions against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) this week, citing allegations that the military o
Turkish Coast Guard Intercepts Vessel, Detaining 67 Migrants and 5 Smugglers
The Turkish Coast Guard conducted a maritime interception operation earlier this week, successfully intercepting a sailboat off the coast of Muğla Province
Czech Rising Star Noskova Wins Maiden Grand Slam Title at Wimbledon
The 2026 Wimbledon Championships concluded at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, where rising Czech star Linda Nosková claimed her mai
Toronto Air Quality Hits Worst Globally as Wildfire Smoke Triggers Emergency Alert
Toronto, Canada's largest city, has recently been shrouded in a dense, grey haze. According to real-time data from the Swiss air quality technology company
Michigan Cyclospora Outbreak Hospitalizes Over 100 as Officials Trace Source
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released updated statistics confirming that the number of hospitalizations in the sta
Danish Police Ambushed During Fire Response in Nørresundby, One Officer Killed
A shocking shooting incident occurred in Nørresundby, in the North Jutland region of Denmark, on Tuesday local time. According to Danish police, law enforc
Over 900 Canadian Wildfires Spark Climate Crisis and Strain Emergency Resources
Canada is currently facing a severe wildfire crisis. According to the latest official statistics, there are currently over 900 forest fires burning across
Jordan Intercepts Iranian Objects, Vows to Defend Sovereignty and National Security
The Jordanian government recently confirmed that its military successfully intercepted several projectiles launched by Iran that had entered its airspace d
Five People Drown While Fishing in India's Godavari River Tragedy
A serious drowning incident occurred recently in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, where five people lost their lives while fishing along the banks of th
Iran Claims Oil Tanker Hit by Mine in Hormuz, US Denies Allegation
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently issued a statement through the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), claiming that two oil ta
Iranian Drone and Missile Strikes in Northern Iraq Kill Eight Kurds
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran recently launched a large-scale drone and missile attack against Kurdish opposition militant groups in
Sudan to Sue UAE at International Court Over Alleged Rebel Military Aid
Sudan’s Minister of Justice, Abdallah Dirif, has officially announced that the Sudanese transitional government is preparing to file a lawsuit at the Inter
US Strikes Iranian Targets for Sixth Night to Degrade Military Capabilities
The U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) recently launched a new wave of military operations, conducting airstrikes for six consecutive nights against military
U.S. Pledges $24 Million to Aid Sudanese Refugees Fleeing to Egypt
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo recently issued a press release in which Chargé d'Affaires Robert Silverman officially announced that the U.S. government will pr
Sudanese Army Retakes North Darfur Reservoir as Resource Battles Worsen Crisis
The Joint Forces affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced this week that they have successfully recaptured the Orshi reservoir area in Nor
US Central Command assists two merchant ships navigating through Red Sea crisis.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) recently confirmed that, as the blockade of shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waters intensifies, U.S. forces have tak
US Immigration Authorities Suspend All Vehicle Stops Following Two Fatal Shootings
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced the immediate suspension of all vehicle stop operations related to immigration enforcemen
Iran Fires Shells at UAE Oil Tanker, Sparking International Concern
Iran recently fired shells at two oil tankers linked to the United Arab Emirates in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in one sailor's death and leaving eight
Iran Strikes Air Bases in Bahrain and Jordan, Escalating Middle East Tensions
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it has launched strikes against the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain and the Prince Hassan
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Claims Attack on US Military Facility in Kuwait
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it conducted an attack on a U.S. HIMARS missile system located in Kuwait. According to off
India and New Zealand Establish Strategic Partnership to Expand Cooperation
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Auckland, New Zealand, India and New Zealand announced the establishment of a strategic partne
China Imposes Sanctions on Philippine Defense Chief, Banning Entry to Territories
China has recently imposed sanctions on Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, citing remarks he made during the recent Shangri-La Dialogue that Bei
Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon Kill at Least 12, Sparking Global Concern
Recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in at least 12 deaths and 13 injuries, including two paramedics. The strikes occurred in the so
New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui capsizes one nautical mile from shore
New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui ran aground one nautical mile from the shore of Samoa on Saturday evening. She was reportedly conducting an aqua