Taiwan Election

China visit before Trump: Can Cheng Li-wun rescue the Kuomintang?

Ahead of Trump’s visit to Beijing, Kuomintang chair Cheng Li-wun has accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation to visit the mainland next month, raising questions about whether her peace-politics gambit can unify a divided KMT, navigate internal rivalries and election pressures, and advance cross-strait peace. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chuang Hui Liang dives into the issue.

Chuang Hui Liang

31 Mar 2026

[Big read] US-China push-pull over Taiwan strengthens Beijing’s hand

US-China tensions over Taiwan are deepening, but Washington’s reluctance to make firm commitments may be giving Beijing room to tighten its grip, even as trust in the US declines and regional risks grow. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks to experts about the Taiwan Strait issue.

Miao Zong-Han

20 Mar 2026

Can Kuomintang’s new chairwoman unite the party and reconcile the China question?

Beijing welcomes her victory, while Kuomintang insiders express unease. The rise of the KMT’s new chairwoman, Cheng Li-wun, reflects shifting identities, widening generational divides, and Beijing’s recalibrated approach to Taiwan’s opposition. With her clear pro-China stance, what impact will her leadership have on Taiwan’s politics and society? Japanese scholar Yoshiyuki Ogasawara offers his perspective.

Yoshiyuki Ogasawara

30 Oct 2025

Taiwan’s Great Recall: A grassroots movement meets political reality

The outcome of Taiwan’s recall vote to decide whether to recall Kuomintang representatives was unexpectedly decisive: all 24 KMT incumbents survived the challenge, marking a resounding victory for the opposition party. This result signals looming difficulties for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party but could pave the way for a more robust civil society, says academic Ho Ming-sho.

Ho Ming-sho

29 Jul 2025

Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je’s downfall could impact cross-strait relations

Taiwan People’s Party chair Ko Wen-je has landed in hot water as a graft probe has shattered his “clean politics” image. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong looks at the events that led to the allegations and the implications for Taiwan’s political scene.

Han Yong Hong

02 Sep 2024

[Big read] Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s anti-corruption clampdown: Who’s next?

Lianhe Zaobao journalists Chuang Hui Liang and Miao Zong-Han note that Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is now in a tough spot with the recent detention of its party member for corruption charges. Will the clampdown further impact the DPP party as well as opposition parties?

Chuang Hui Liang, Miao Zong-Han

24 Jul 2024

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te wagers that China will not attack Taiwan?

Zaobao correspondent Woon Wei Jong rounds up various reactions to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s inauguration speech, observing that the strong tone and emphasis on the pro-unification/pro-independence divide are calculated moves on the part of the ruling party.

Woon Wei Jong

24 May 2024

Taiwan President William Lai steering Taiwan away from ‘China’

Academic Ngeow Chow Bing notes that judging by Taiwan President William Lai’s inauguration speech, Lai appears to be a more committed leader in steering Taiwan away from not just Beijing and the People’s Republic of China, but the whole notion of “China”. Beijing will find Lai an even tougher and more determined opponent compared with Taiwan’s previous president.   

Ngeow Chow Bing

21 May 2024

[Big read] Will Taiwan ban TikTok and Douyin for fear of mainland China's influence?

Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Miao Zong-Han notes that as TikTok and Douyin grow in popularity in Taiwan, there are concerns about mainland China's influence in terms of cultural invasion. Is this really a "subtle" way to guide society towards eventual reunification, or is it just pure entertainment for young people?

Miao Zong-Han

28 Feb 2024

Chan Heng Chee: Amid chaos, our national interest is the only constant

The future world will neither be unipolar nor bipolar but multipolar; the structure will be fragmented, and the heights of the poles will be asymmetrical. Amid the tensions and pitfalls, how does Singapore cope in an increasingly complex world? Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong speaks with Singapore's ambassador-at-large and former ambassador to the US Chan Heng Chee about the challenges the world faces.

Han Yong Hong

22 Feb 2024

Survey on US and Taiwan experts: William Lai's presidency will see a turbulent Taiwan Strait

Commentator Gu Erde looks into a recent survey on China experts from the US and Taiwan, which reveals, among other things, that the Taiwan experts perceive a lower military threat from China than the US experts, but a higher proportion of the US experts is confident that the US would intervene militarily to defend Taiwan in a conflict.

Gu Erde

05 Feb 2024

William Lai could still pursue 'radical Taiwan independence'

Commentator Qi Dongtao notes that even with pro-independence William Lai as Taiwan's president-elect, he may not be as aggressive as might be expected, as the US might have counselled moderation, while Beijing's possible reactions would also be taken into consideration. However, that does not mean that the Taiwan Strait will be peaceful.

Qi Dongtao

05 Feb 2024