Ashish Valentine

Taiwan's lost films hold the sounds and stories of a vanishing era

Ashish Valentine

Researchers in Taiwan are racing to restore a crucial piece of the island's film history, before it's lost forever.

A television shows the meeting between Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, at a restaurant in Taipei on April 10, 2026.

Taiwan opposition leader says Xi meeting avoided 'reunification' talk

Scott Tong, Ashish Valentine

Cheng's comments come as Taiwan awaits approval on a $14 billion arms package from the U.S., and as uncertainty lingers over Washington's long-term commitment to the island's defense.

Taiwan's opposition leader meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing

Ashish Valentine

Chinese leader Xi Jinping hosted the head of Taiwan's largest opposition party in Beijing on Friday — the first such meeting in nearly a decade.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right shakes hands with Kuomintang (KMT) party leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing on Friday, April 10, 2026.

NPR Headlines

China's Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader ahead of key summit with Trump

Ashish Valentine, Jennifer Pak

Xi Jinping and the KMT's Cheng Li-wun agreed to pursue peace, but Taiwan's ruling party worries it will enable Beijing to undermine its democracy.

Taiwan's main opposition party KMT chairperson Cheng Li-wun attends a press conference at the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club in Taipei on March 23, 2026.

NPR Headlines

Taiwan's opposition leader arrives in China for a 'Journey of Peace'

Ashish Valentine, Jennifer Pak

The visit takes place ahead of President Trump's own summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month, where Taiwan is expected to be a top agenda item.

Taiwan reacts to U.S. intelligence report about China's intentions

Ashish Valentine

A recent U.S. intelligence report reignited an already contentious debate in Taiwan over China's intentions and how Taipei should reasonably defend itself against its powerful neighbor.

How the conflict in Iran is affecting global markets

Charles Maynes, Rob Schmitz, Ashish Valentine

Escalation of the Iran conflict is sending shockwaves through global markets — driving up oil, fuel, and commodity prices, stoking inflation and recession risks worldwide. We hear from three NPR reporters in Europe, Asia and Russia.