Tensions between China and Lithuania soared after Taiwan was allowed to open a de facto embassy in Vilnius. Now, Taiwan wants to help offset the financial cost that comes with angering Beijing.

China is putting Taiwan under pressure in a way not seen for decades. The US is calling on Beijing to avoid further provocation. Our guests: Melissa Chan (DW), Felix Lee (TAZ), Gudrun Wacker (SWP)

Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu granted an interview to FRANCE 24 from Taipei. He warned that the threat from China was "very serious" and that Taiwan needs to "be prepared" for possible Chinese military action, "whether it is an all-out invasion or a small skirmish with our military."

FRANCE 24 spoke to Lu Shaye, the Chinese ambassador to France. He insisted Beijing was prioritising "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, but said the Chinese authorities had "not ruled out the use of force" – not with the intention of targeting "the people of Taiwan", but rather to dissuade "separatists in Taiwan" and certain "foreign forces". The Chinese diplomat also said he was "sure" there would be no mass surge in Covid-19 cases during the Winter Olympics, which open in Beijing on February 4.

Dozens of Chinese jets entered Taiwan's air defense zone, the island's officials said. Taiwan responded by scrambling its own fighter jets and activating missile defense systems.

Taiwan 'most dangerous flashpoint' in US-China relations

The two small nations both neighbor larger authoritarian superpowers that frequently employ bullying tactics. Lithuania is worried about Russia; Taiwan is worried about China — and their bond has upset Beijing. DW's Joyce Lee reports from Taipei.

Former defense officials from the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama visited Taiwan. The delegation arrived amid fears Russia's Ukraine invasion could spark China's geopolitical ambitions for the island.

In a nonofficial visit to Taiwan, former US diplomat Mike Pompeo said Washington should take steps to recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. China described his comments as "nonsense."

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is being seen as a wake-up call by many people in Taiwan. China has long laid claim to the island nation, and some fear that Beijing could launch a similar attack.

President Joe Biden has tested negative after coming into recent contact with Pelosi. A new WHO analysis has suggested 800 million people in Africa have had COVID-19.

Taipei has introduced a "new Taiwan model" to shift away from its "zero-COVID" strategy. But public health experts warn of an increase in COVID-19 fatalities if the island can't streamline policies.