ANALYSIS/Japanese politics likely face instability, policy adjustments: Experts

China's recent use of local public security bureaus to issue bounty notices against specific Taiwanese individuals reflects a new tactic of "judicial intimidation" aimed at Taiwan that also gives Beijing room for flexibility, scholars told CNA.

China's rapid expansion and diversification of its nuclear arsenal has raised the sobering prospect that Beijing could resort to "nuclear blackmail" or even nuclear warfare against Western nations should they intervene in a conflict over Taiwan -- much like the Kremlin's warnings during its invasion of Ukraine, according to defense experts.

President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) National Day address on Friday softened the tone toward China compared with his major speeches last year, while putting defense front and center to signal Taiwan's resolve to defend itself and to win support from democratic partners, experts told CNA.