U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar praised Taiwanese democracy (NYT) and health leadership during a trip to the island, the highest-level U.S. visit since the two cut official ties in 1979. Azar’s meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen further rankled China (CNN) as U.S.-China tensions reach a fever pitch.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities’ arrest (SCMP) of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai and raid of his newspaper, Apple Daily, signaled China’s growing resolve to stamp out dissent in the city. Lai, who has met with high-ranking U.S. officials, was detained under Hong Kong’s controversial new national security law for allegedly colluding with foreign forces (Straits Times). Last week, Washington sanctioned eleven Chinese and Hong Kong officials, including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, for limiting political freedoms in the city. Today Beijing retaliated, announcing sanctions (Time) on eleven U.S. lawmakers and heads of rights organizations.

Mount Sinabung, a volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, erupted for the second time  (Straits Times) in three days, spewing ash three miles into the sky. There have been no reported casualties, but authorities advised people to take safety precautions.