The president has spoken with the leaders of both countries as they spar over remarks the Japanese prime minister made about the Beijing-claimed island democracy.

President Lai Ching-te says the spending, which must be approved by the island’s legislature, would fund purchases of arms from the United States.

Yee Lee and Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan prosecutors said on Thursday investigators had raided the homes of a former senior TSMC executive and seized computers after the company accused him of leaking trade secrets,

The remarks come amid the two countries’ worst diplomatic crisis in years, after the Japanese prime minister said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

China closed off Japanese seafood imports after Japan’s new leader declared strong support for Taiwan. Suddenly, sushi is everywhere on Taiwanese social media.

Japan’s defense minister, visiting a military base close to Taiwan, said plans to deploy missiles to the post were on track as tensions smolder between Tokyo and Beijing over the East Asian island.

Taiwan is to open its Automated Immigration Clearance (e-Gate) system to New Zealand biometric passport holders starting tomorrow, the National Immigration Agency said yesterday. The move reciprocates New Zealand’s decision to grant the same access to Taiwanese travelers on Oct.