Taiwan election

The “kemusan dance competition” at Ningxia Night Market in Taipei, in January 2024. (SPH Media)

[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?
Singapore’s ambassador-at-large and former ambassador to the US Chan Heng Chee. (SPH Media)

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.
People walk past a Taiwanese flag in New Taipei City on 13 January 2024. (Sam Yeh/AFP)

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.
People walk at Ximending shopping district in Taipei on 10 January 2024. (Alastair Pike/AFP)

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.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Nauru's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea speak after signing a joint communiqué on the resumption of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Nauru at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on 24 January 2024. China and Nauru formally re-established diplomatic relations on 24 January, after the tiny South Pacific nation cut ties with Taiwan. (Andrea Verdelli/AFP)

Will Taiwan face further diplomatic isolation amid Beijing’s use of UN Resolution 2758?

The recent diplomatic shift of Nauru from Taiwan to mainland China has brought focus to United Nations Resolution 2758, whereby China is accused of manipulating the interpretation of the resolution to fit its needs. Lianhe Zaobao associate foreign news editor Sim Tze Wei takes a look at the different interpretations of the resolution and its impact on Taiwan’s international standing.
Supporters at an election night rally outside the Democratic Progressive Party's headquarters during the presidential election in Taipei, Taiwan, on 13 January 2024. (An Rong Xu/Bloomberg)

Do the Chinese need democracy?

Commentator Wei Da notes that democracy seems to be the best system to ensure distribution of power, with the people in charge rather than an individual with total authority. Furthermore, suppressing the rule of law with political motives can end up backfiring.
Supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) take a selfie, as they celebrate during a rally, following the victory of Lai Ching-te in the presidential elections, in Taipei, Taiwan, on 13 January 2024. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

How the Sunflower Movement legacy lives on in Taiwan’s 2024 elections

Taiwanese academic Ho Min-sho examines the legacy of the Sunflower Movement as shown through the recent 2024 Taiwan elections. Have the youth activists and youthful enthusiasm borne out of the movement in 2014 found an outlet in politics in 2024?
Taiwan's President-elect William Lai Ching-te during a campaign event in Taipei, Taiwan, on 11 January 2024. (Chan Long Hei/Bloomberg)

Beijing’s dilemma: What to do with President-elect William Lai

Now that the Democratic Progressive Party's William Lai has been elected as Taiwan's next president, cross-strait relationship has entered a period of uncertainty, says US academic Zhu Zhiqun. Beijing is stuck in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation with regard to how it could handle its future relationship with Lai. The US elections in November will also have a key bearing on US-China relations and the prospects for stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je reacts to a giant inflatable balloon resembling him at a TPP event ahead of Taiwan’s presidential elections in Taipei on 11 January 2024. (I-Hwa Cheng/AFP)

Ko Wen-je's TPP and Taiwanese youths could redefine Taiwan's future

Despite its loss in the Taiwan presidential election and being the youngest of the three running parties, the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) has been garnering even more attention since the election results came to light. Taiwan academic Chin Kenpa takes a look at the impact of the TPP on the Legislative Yuan and the future of Taiwan’s presidential election.