Taiwan

[Big read] Satire, deepfakes and virtual voters: AI enters Taiwan’s election race

AI has made its way into Taiwan’s local elections with AI-generated satire videos and virtual party spokespersons. Lianhe Zaobao Taipei correspondent Lai Oi Lai examines whether AI can sway voters and how Taiwan can manage AI risks without curbing free speech.

Lai Oi Lai

29 Oct 2026

When Taiwan’s stars must prove their political loyalty

Taiwanese host Kevin Tsai’s appearance at a local campaign event triggered cross-strait political fallout. His experience highlights the shrinking space for Taiwanese entertainers operating amid competing ideological expectations. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han looks at what is at stake.

Miaw Zong-Han

27 Oct 2026

Beijing has opened a unification debate. Can Taiwan stay out?

An academic proposal on cross-strait unification has sparked debate in Beijing and Taipei. With official channels frozen, Taiwan cannot afford to sit out a conversation that directly affects its fate, says researcher Ivan I-Wei Huang.

Ivan I-Wei Huang

20 Oct 2026

Taiwan’s local elections: Can DPP disrupt KMT’s Taipei stronghold?

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen’s grassroots surge is shaking up Taiwan’s local elections. Lianhe Zaobao’s Taipei correspondent Lai Oi Lai looks at whether the DPP can translate this momentum into actual gains at the ballot box.

Lai Oi Lai

19 Oct 2026

Double Tenth speech: A softer Lai, but no thaw across the Taiwan Strait

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s Double Tenth Day address prioritised economic relief over cross-strait policy. Academics told Lianhe Zaobao’s Taipei correspondent Lai Oi Lai that the speech is a cautious move to calm tensions with Beijing and win domestic voters.

Lai Oi Lai

12 Oct 2026

[Photos] Days by the sea: Remembering writer and revolutionary Chen Yingzhen

Rediscovered photographs from a 1987 trip to the Philippines bring back memories of Taiwanese literary giant Chen Yingzhen — his ideals and friendships, his unwavering convictions, and a rarely seen, carefree side of the famously serious writer. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao goes back in time.

Hsu Chung-mao

09 Oct 2026

Taiwan wants nuclear energy back, but can it overcome the hurdles?

Ahead of Taiwan’s November referendum on nuclear power, momentum is building in favour of nuclear energy, even within the ruling DPP, in view of Taiwan’s energy needs amid an AI and semiconductor boom. Taiwan-based researcher Ghulam Ali shares his analysis.

Ghulam Ali

06 Oct 2026

How China’s ethnic unity law targets Taiwanese identity

China’s new Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law goes beyond domestic ethnic policy, bringing cross-strait exchanges, media, education and online activity into a broader political narrative aimed at shaping Taiwanese identity and advancing unification, argues academic Chang Chun-Yen.

Chang Chun-Yen

29 Sep 2026

ThinkCartoon (29 September 2026)

Heng Kim Song has been the freelance editorial cartoonist for Lianhe Zaobao since 1984. His cartoons are also featured in many major international publications including The New York Times, Asahi Shimbun, JoongAng Ilbo, South China Morning Post and Yazhou Zhoukan. His many awards include the Top Award in United Nations ESCAP’s Cartoon Competition and the Grafica Internazionale Award presented by Italian Museum of Political Satire and Caricature. Heng has also participated in many international exhibitions and events, including the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings held in Davos, Switzerland.

Heng Kim Song

29 Sep 2026

Trump-Xi summit: Grand optics, unresolved rivalry

The Trump-Xi summit delivered grand ceremony and a few practical gains, while playing to the domestic audiences of both leaders. But issues such as AI, trade and Taiwan remain unresolved, underscoring the deep rivalry between the US and China. Joseph Chinyong Liow, Dean and Wang Gungwu Professor in East Asian Affairs, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS, shares his analysis.

Joseph Chinyong Liow

28 Sep 2026

Xi is breaking succession rules. What about everyone else?

Xi Jinping has already broken key CCP leadership conventions. As the 21st Party Congress approaches, three possible succession models could determine whether Beijing sees greater stability, deeper political turbulence or stronger action abroad. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han reports.

Miaw Zong-Han

28 Sep 2026

What is the worst acceptable outcome for Trump and Xi?

Ahead of their high-stakes Washington summit, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping face a tenuous truce: while tactical deals on trade procurement and AI safety offer temporary fixes, core rifts over Taiwan, tech dominance and rare earths remain fundamentally unresolved. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei speaks to academics to find out.

Sim Tze Wei

23 Sep 2026