Taiwan election

Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je on stage at a celebration of the party’s fourth anniversary at the Taichung International Exhibition Center, Taiwan, 6 August 2023. (CNS)

Can Ko Wen-je shake up Taiwan's political scene with his 'one-man party'?

As Taiwan’s presidential election approaches, Democratic Progressive Party candidate William Lai is firmly in the lead. However, Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko Wen-je is also in a solid second place. Academic Lu Xi opines that if Ko survives the election and TPP becomes a key minority in the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan, Ko's influence will gain greater ground in the coming years as young voters' support continues to grow.
Former Olympic gold medalist Ding Ning in action with a student from National Chengchi University in Taiwan, on 17 July 2023. (CNS)

The cautious restarting of cross-strait academic exchanges

Cultural and academic exchanges between Taiwan and mainland China have restarted since being suspended due to the three-year-long pandemic. While official coordination of these exchanges are proving to be difficult to resume, it remains a priority, in particular for the mainland side. On the Taiwan side, wary of interference ahead of the Taiwan election, relevant authorities are tightening the scrutiny of mainlanders visiting Taiwan. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han tells us more.
Supporters take a selfie with Terry Gou, the retired founder of major Apple supplier Foxconn, at a rally for legal reform and against high real estate prices in Taipei, Taiwan, on 16 July 2023. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

Foxconn's Terry Gou may yet be the kingmaker in Taiwan presidential race

On 23 July, the Kuomintang (KMT) formally approved New Taipei mayor Hou You-yi as its candidate in the 2024 presidential election, despite some talk that it might throw its weight behind Foxconn founder and billionaire Terry Gou after all. Even so, Gou may be joining the race as an independent, splitting the race into a four-cornered fight with the Democratic Progressive Party's William Lai, the KMT's Hou, and the Taiwan People's Party's Ko Wen-je. Lianhe Zaobao China Desk and Taiwan correspondent Woon Wei Jong take us through the latest developments.
This picture taken on 14 April 2023 shows people walking down a street at the Ximen district in Taipei. (Sam Yeh/AFP)

What does 'Taiwan independence' mean?

Japanese academic Yoshiyuki Ogasawara notes that while there has been much talk of "Taiwan independence", it seems that there is actually little understanding of what the term really means, and what making any changes to Taiwan’s status would entail.
Hou You-yi, mayor of New Taipei City (centre) during a news conference in Taipei, Taiwan, 17 May 2023. (I-Hwa Cheng/Bloomberg)

Why Hou You-yi won the KMT presidential nomination and Terry Gou did not

With about eight months to go to the next Taiwan presidential election, commentator Gu Er De explains why Hou You-yi won the nomination as KMT presidential candidate, while Terry Gou failed despite his best efforts.
This picture taken on 14 April 2023 shows people walking down a street at the Ximen district in Taipei, Taiwan. (Sam Yeh/AFP)

Why Taiwan’s future is no longer just a dispute of sovereignty

Wei Da explains why issues such as Taiwan’s chosen civilisational path, great power competition and geostrategic rivalry are critical in the Taiwan issue. In the end, the question of the superiority and inferiority of civilisational development will determine Taiwan's future.
This handout picture taken and released by Taiwan's former president Ma Ying-jeou's office on 31 March 2023 shows former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou (centre) visiting his mother’s school, the Zhounan High School, in Changsha in Hunan Province, China. (Handout/Ma Ying-jeou's office/AFP)

Ma Ying-jeou to run for president once more?

With his visit to China trending online and his approval ratings rising, former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou is looking to be a possible candidate for the KMT in the presidential election next year. But the picture is more complicated than it seems, says Zaobao correspondent Woon Wei Jong.
Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou (centre) waves as Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an (left) follows during a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of "228 incident" at the 228 Peace Park in Taipei, Taiwan, on 28 February 2023. (Sam Yeh/AFP)

Will former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou’s China visit win support for the KMT?

East Asian Institute senior research fellow Qi Dongtao analyses the significance of former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou’s upcoming visit to mainland China. Could history repeat itself and the visit be a harbinger of a marked strengthening of ties between the mainland and the KMT, leading to a victory over the DPP in the 2024 elections?
Terry Gou (centre) left the Kuomintang in anger, but now wants to make a comeback. (SPH Media)

Do businessmen make good political leaders?

With Foxconn founder Terry Gou declaring interest in running for Taiwan president again, commentator Chen Kuohsiang cites examples to show why having a businessman as a political leader may not be a good idea, given the different qualities required for each role.