Democratic Progressive Party

People walk past pro-independence flags in Taipei, Taiwan, on 3 February 2024. (Sam Yeh/AFP)

Must one hate mainland China to love Taiwan?

Commentator Qi Dongtao gives his take on so-called radical Taiwan independence in Taiwan and popular support for armed reunification in mainland China, and how such forms of "patriotic nationalism" are making it difficult for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to come to an understanding.
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.
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan (left) in Davos on 16 January  2024 and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) in Brazil on 19 January 2024. (Fabrice Coffrini and Sergio Lima/AFP)

A possible easing of China-US relations this year?

The recent meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan ended on a good note as both sides reported relatively positive assessments. This has created the conditions for the two sides to take the next step to continue to communicate across different fields and between two countries’ leaders in the following months. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan tells us more.
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 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.
Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te smiles as he attends a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei, Taiwan on 13 January 2024, after winning the presidential election. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP)

Taiwanese commentator: How William Lai can be a good Taiwan president

With William Lai as Taiwan’s president-elect, commentator Chen Kuohsiang delves into what the DPP needs to do to cope with losing its parliamentary majority, navigate cross-strait relations and win over the Taiwanese people.
Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's president-elect (centre), at an election night rally outside the Democratic Progressive Party headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, on 13 January 2024. (An Rong Xu/Bloomberg)

William Lai’s biggest challenge will be Xi Jinping and Ko Wen-je

With the Taiwan presidential elections at a close and the Democratic Progressive Party clinching a historic third consecutive term, commentator Gu Erde takes a look at the challenges ahead for president-elect William Lai.
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te, of Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim attend a rally following the victory in the presidential elections, in Taipei, Taiwan, 13 January 2024. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

Will William Lai’s win spark war in the Taiwan Strait?

With the Democratic Progressive Party's William Lai winning the Taiwan presidential election, there are concerns that Lai's future moves might provoke mainland China into extreme actions. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan weighs up the possibilities.