Taiwan is stepping up its aid to Turkey and Syria as the death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes approaches 10,000. U.S. President Joe Biden said in his annual State of the Union address that his country seeks competition rather than conflict with China, even as U.S. lawmakers propose bills that wold punish Beijing for increasing its threat to Taiwan. And the vice-chair of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang is heading to China in a visit that the ruling party is calling poorly timed. Also:
- Taiwan's military is working with the country's leading weapons development institute to boost the nation's defense capability, with a focus on missiles and drones.
- While Taiwan continues to develop geothermal power, locals around one new plant in southeastern Taiwan are underwhelmed by the benefits it will bring.
- Taiwanese-American former NBA star Jeremy Lin is set to make his debut in Taiwan's professional basketball league, an occasion eagerly awaited by his local fans.