Thousands rally in Taiwan to boost defence spending amid China tensions
Thousands rally in Taipei backing higher defence spending after US pauses $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

Thousands rally in Taipei backing higher defence spending after US pauses $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.




![Taiwanese soldiers pose with a Taiwanese flag near a Sky Sword II surface-to-air missile launcher and a military UAV during an annual military exercise ahead of Lunar New Year in Taichung, Taiwan on Jan. 27, 2026. [Ann Wang/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-1779476022.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)



![[Handout/Evgeny Solntsev via Telegram]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/photo_2026-05-21-12.07.05-1779354522.jpeg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
From secret nuclear exchanges to a key diplomatic deal, Pakistan and China have long helped each other. What’s next?

Xi Jinping hosts Vladimir Putin a week after Donald Trump was in Beijing.

Just days after Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, Vladimir Putin arrived in China for a summit with Xi Jinping.
Analysts say Russia wants to replace lost gas revenue while China seeks to diversify and secure its energy supplies.
The Russian and Chinese leaders agreed on bilateral cooperation during Putin’s visit to China.

Will Trump kill $14bn Taiwan arms deal?

China’s Xi Jinping has welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing.
Oil prices eased after the White House remarks as Iran warned it would expand the war in response to any new attacks.
President Lai says Taiwan’s future is up to its people as the island faces Chinese and US headwinds.
The two allies called for a ceasefire in the US and Israeli war on Iran.