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
Federal Judge Sets Spring 2026 Trial for Charlie Kirk Murder Case
A federal judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Tuesday granted the government’s request to move the murder ca
IMF approves $2.2 billion, 36‑month reform loan for Senegal
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff‑level agreement with the government of Senegal on the 21st of this month, agreeing to provide a new l
Bus overturns in Egypt's South Sinai, killing 21, injuring 28; brake failure suspected
A bus overturning near the mountain road that leads to Mount Saint Catherine in the eastern part of the South Sinai Governorate occurred at about 2 a.m. on
Avoid importing overseas meat online during Mid‑Autumn to guard Taiwan's pig industry.
As the Mid‑Autumn Festival approaches, families across Taiwan begin preparing for reunion dinners, moon‑cake tastings, and barbecues. While this is a time
Fubon cancels nine‑player shakeup; manager explains why pitcher Huang misses second half.
The Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League announced a sweeping roster overhaul, terminating the contracts of nine players before the
Taiwan's Cloud Gate Dance Theatre Debuts “Thirteen Voices” in Helsinki, Sold Out.
Having been established for over half a century, Taiwan's premier modern dance company, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, has recently written a new chapter in Tai
Eurozone inflation hits three‑year high; European stocks slump amid rate‑hike fears.
Major European stock indices closed across the board in negative territory as investors were enveloped in anxiety, with market attention firmly focused on
Italian Senate VP leads cross‑party delegation to Taiwan, seeks deeper semiconductor ties.
Italian Senate Vice‑President Qian Yiyou recently led a high‑profile, cross‑party delegation to Taiwan for a multi‑day diplomatic and economic exchange pro
South Korea Deploys 44‑Member Rescue Team to Nepal Flood‑Hit Rasuwa District
Seoul’s foreign ministry said on Monday that a 44‑person emergency relief team will be dispatched to Nepal within 48 hours to assist search‑and‑rescue oper
DRC Ebola outbreak tops 6,000 cases, deadliest in nation's history
Kinshasa health officials confirmed on Monday that the cumulative number of Ebola cases recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the st
Kosovo's Vetëvendosje and LDK Back Former Judge Bekim Sejdiu for President
Pristina – On Monday, the two largest parties in Kosovo’s fragmented parliament – the nationalist Vetëvendosje (Self‑Determination) movement and the centri
Messi Announces Retirement from Argentina National Team in Long Post
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has shocked the global football community by publishing a lengthy statement on social media, officially announcing h
Jakarta to revitalize economy with 37 investment projects, 200 billion TWD.
The economic development of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has recently received a new wave of policy momentum. The Jakarta provincial government, aimi
Germany railways to replace stop rule with low‑speed passage for intrusions.
The German railway network has long been plagued by delays and cancellations. One of the frequently overlooked yet highly operationally debilitating causes
New Taipei Nine-in-One Election Heats Up as Ten Candidates Compete for Top Spot
The New Taipei City Election Commission officially launched the candidate registration process for the nine-in-one local government elections today (the 31
Adult Female Orangutan Rescued from Haze‑Driven Fire in West Kalimantan
An adult female orangutan named Sampurna was rescued on 28 August from a haze‑driven fire zone near the town of Ketapang in West Kalimantan, Indonesia’s Bo
Ukrainian drone strike kills three civilians in Russia's Shebekino
A Ukrainian drone strike hit the town of Shebekino in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast on Thursday, killing three civilians and damaging several residential buildi
Housing interest subsidies start September, aiding 6,000 families with purchase, repairs
To fulfill its pledge to support households without homes and improve living conditions, the National Land Agency of the Ministry of the Interior announced
Ko Wen-je publicly names KMT candidates, ends blue‑white alliance in Zhupe mayoral race.
Grassroots elections in Chupei City, Hsinchu County, have always served as an important indicator of local politics. As election day draws closer, the high
Somali and Turkish forces free hijacked MV LUTUF without ransom, dispute persists
The Turkish‑owned bulk carrier MV LUTUF, sailing under a Cameroon flag, was released on 30 August after a joint operation by Somali naval forces and Turkey
US, Venezuela Sign 20‑Year Oil Partnership, Granting Limited Sanctions Relief
On Monday, the United States and Venezuela announced a new agreement that will expand U.S. access to Venezuelan oil reserves under a private‑investment fra
DPP to Hold Grand Anniversary Concert Ahead of 40th Founding Day
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officially announced today that, in commemoration of the significant historical milestone of its 40th founding anniv
People's Party names Lai Yinzhu to disrupt blue‑green rivalry in 2026 Changhua mayoral race.
Wen Zongyu, Director-General of the Taiwan People’s Party’s Changhua County office, recently weighed in on the 2026 Changhua County magistrate race, noting
Two Thieves Steal 200‑Carat Platinum‑Diamond Necklace from Vienna Museum
Austrian police announced on Thursday that two men broke into the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna’s historic Innere Stadt district and stole a 200‑c