The US Senate this week gave its nod to a much-debated semiconductor bill that seeks to hand billions of dollars in sops for the computer chips industry

Nancy Pelosi's visit will be the first by a Speaker of the US House of Representatives in 25 years

"The disruption ... on the international economic order; and the chance to grow would be much, much (more) significant than this one," chief trade negotiator John Deng said

Beijing warns the US to handle its dealings with Taiwan prudently so as not to encourage separatists after Washington says it will launch new trade talks with Taipei

The alerts included messages such as "a war could break out", a train station in Taipei being set on fire and Taiwan's president declaring a state of emergency

Taiwan's handbook details how to find bomb shelters via smartphone apps, water and food supplies, as well as tips for preparing emergency first aid kits

China is pressuring Lithuania after it allowed Taiwan to open a de-facto embassy in Vilnius and Beijing has cancelled imports from the EU member state

China has told companies to sever ties with Lithuania or face being shut out of the Chinese market, but the EU says it may take the matter to the WTO and enact moves to counter economic coercion