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
Drones strike two Bulgarian merchant vessels; one sinks, crew missing.
Two merchant vessels were struck by unidentified drones off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on Friday, a day after a similar incident. One of the ships, a cargo
Pakistan detains hundreds of opposition PTI members amid provincial government suspension
Pakistan’s federal government has detained hundreds of members of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, following a dramatic escalation in p
RSF Drone Strike on Displaced Persons Camp in Sudan Kills 41
A drone strike carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Blue Nile State has left at least 41 displaced people dead, marking another lethal escalati
Taichung mayoral race heats up as Ho Hsin-chun signs debate pledge
As the 2026 local elections approach, political maneuvering and strategic positioning across Taiwan’s counties and cities have quietly intensified. Among t
Ministry of Finance Proposes AI Dividend Policy with NT$10,000 Cash for All
The Ministry of Finance released its latest operational report today, officially outlining its future policy directions and key focuses. The most striking
Jordan 1998 Jersey Sells for $5.6M, Setting New Auction Record
Michael Jordan, the legendary star in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA), has set another astonishing record. The auction market offi
Wall Street Flat, Oil Fluctuates Ahead of Bank Earnings and Inflation Data
The three major U.S. stock indexes opened roughly flat on Wednesday, with the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the Nasdaq Composite showing n
Global Smartphone Shipments Fall 20% Amid Supply Chain and Brand Pressures
The sharp decline in global smartphone shipments in the third quarter has become a major focus for the technology industry. According to preliminary estima
Airstrike on artisanal gold mine near Egypt-Sudan border kills 72
An airstrike targeting an artisanal gold mine in a remote mountainous region near the Egypt–Sudan border has left at least 72 people dead, marking one of t
Ballistic Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport Kills 12 and Injures 309
A ballistic missile strike attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement struck Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Tuesday, leaving 12 pe
Taiwan Stocks Hit Record High Near 50,000 as Foreign Investors Sell
The Taipei stock market recently demonstrated strong momentum amid a mixture of bullish and bearish sentiments, with the intraday trading peak surging to 4
Trump to Visit Asia in November for ASEAN Summit and Xi Talks
US President Donald Trump is expected to embark on a major Asian tour this November. According to the latest reports by US media, the White House has confi
Taiwan Badminton Duo Pairs Reach Finals at Arctic Tournament
The Taiwan national badminton team delivered impressive performances at the Arctic Open, a BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament held in Finland. Emerging me
Microsoft CEO Nadella warns AI needs emergency brakes for human control
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella recently issued a key warning regarding the rapidly flourishing artificial intelligence technology, publicly empha
KMT's Hsieh Lung-chiu Rallies in Tainan, Vowing to End Decades of One-Party Rule
As polling day approaches, the mayoral and council elections in Tainan City have entered a fiercely contested phase, with candidates across political parti
Four Dead Across Florida and Alabama as Hurricane Isaias Makes Landfall
Four people have been confirmed dead following the landfall of Hurricane Isaias in the United States, with fatalities reported across two southern states.
Mauritania Government Resigns Amid Public Outrage Over Severe Power Outages
The government of Mauritania tendered its resignation on Wednesday amid mounting public discontent over severe and persistent power outages plaguing the We
Fugitive Ex-Fangliao Mayor Dismissed and Fined NT$500,000 for Corruption
During his tenure as mayor of Fangliao Township in Pingtung County, Chen Yalin was implicated in extorting kickbacks by exploiting public construction proj
CPBL Playoff Game 3 Sets Record Attendance with 63,000 Fans at Intercontinental Stadium
In Game 3 of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) Playoff Challenge Series, a sold-out crowd packed the Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, with
Formosa Petrochemical Freezes Fuel Prices for Fourth Week to Ease Costs
Domestic fuel prices in Taiwan have recently entered a rare streak of consecutive price freezes. Formosa Plastics Petrochemical Company (FPC) confirmed via
Taipei mayoral race heats up as Chiang Wan-an rejects debate demands
As the Taipei mayoral race intensifies, the focus of attacks and defenses between the candidates has expanded from daily municipal issues to the arena of p
Four Missing After Fishing Boat Capsizes Off Gongliao Coast Amid Major Search
A harrowing fishing boat capsizing incident occurred in the waters off Gongliao, New Taipei City, on Tuesday afternoon. A fishing vessel engaged in offshor
Double Tenth National Day Exhibition Transforms Danjiang Bridge into Urban Playground
The National Day holiday of the Republic of China has always been an important time for the public to arrange trips and experience various arts, cultural,
EU-China Trade Talks End With Vague Investment Pledges, Raising Corporate Concerns
The EU-China Trade and Investment Consultation Meeting officially concluded in Beijing on the 10th of this month, marking the second high-level bilateral b