Cross-Strait Maritime Dispute: China wrapped up a June 6-10 maritime traffic enforcement and hydrographic survey in waters east of Taiwan, saying it inspected 198 vessels and corrected violations, while Taipei and Beijing traded accusations over “harassment” and jurisdiction. Coast Guard Legality Clash: China’s Taiwan Affairs Office defended the patrols as lawful sovereignty protection after Taiwan said Chinese coast guard actions pressured commercial shipping, escalating tensions tied to Japan-Philippines maritime boundary talks. North Korea Pivot Without Nuclear Talk: Xi Jinping returned from Pyongyang after a rare summit with Kim Jong-un, with both sides emphasizing strategic cooperation while avoiding public denuclearization language, underscoring a shifting balance in regional security. Taiwan Defense Drills: Taiwan’s military fired reduced-range rockets from U.S.-supplied HIMARS “shoot-and-scoot” launchers into the waters of the Taiwan Strait during a coastal exercise, signaling an asymmetric response to a potential Chinese attack. Taiwan Demographics: Taiwan recorded 6,832 births in May, the second-lowest on record, extending a 29-month year-on-year decline amid super-aged society pressures. Local Diplomacy: Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen signed an MOU with Germany’s Görlitz on energy, technology, culture, education, and disaster prevention, aiming to link Taiwanese supply chains to Central Europe. AI/Chip Economy Watch: TSMC reported May 2026 net revenue of about NT$416.98 billion (+30.1% YoY), while Applied Materials opened a $500 million Singapore campus to expand AI chip manufacturing capacity.