William Lai Ching-te
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William Lai Ching-te

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William Lai Ching-te
William Lai Ching-te
The latest news on William Lai, (also known as Lai Ching-te),Taiwanese politician, former physician and currently the 8th president of the Republic of China, including politics news.
Born
6 Oct 1959
Industry
Politics
Job Title
Leader of Taiwan
Illustration: Henry Wong
Taiwan

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

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China-Japan relations

Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan

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Taiwan

Taiwan’s missile shield plan has ‘critical flaws’, mainland Chinese report says

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Taiwan

Taiwan’s opposition lawmakers vow to impeach leader William Lai

Proposal is likely to be a symbolic gesture as impeachment would require 76 legislators to agree, while opposition camp holds only 62 seats.

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Tensions between Taiwan’s legislature and the Democratic Progressive Party-led government have been high since William Lai Ching-te took office as the island’s leader in May last year. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Taiwan government accused of trying to ‘bypass legislature’ amid bitter row

A dispute over how funds are allocated has triggered a stand-off in which both sides accused the other of undermining the constitution.

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Taiwan

Taiwan RedNote ban backfires, driving mainland Chinese app’s top download rise

Many users and opposition politicians accuse Taiwan’s ruling party of overreach and damaging island’s reputation for open internet access.

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US-China relations

What could challenge Washington’s latest strategic goal on Taiwan?

The White House says it wants to deter a conflict over the island, ‘ideally’ through its military advantage.

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The US says that one of its priorities is to deter a conflict over Taiwan, “ideally by preserving military overmatch”. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Lifeline or rubbish? Taiwan updates disaster and conflict survival guide

‘Little orange book’ sent to nearly 10 million households advises on survival response, but many question its cost and value.

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China’s military drills

PLA holds urban warfare drill as Taipei looks to boost ‘asymmetric capabilities’

State television report showing operation in war-torn city airs soon after Taiwanese leader proposed extra US$40 billion in defence spending.

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Taiwan

Taiwan blocks mainland Chinese platform RedNote citing ‘high fraud risk’

Island’s digital affairs ministry says five Chinese apps collect sensitive data, access biometric functions and ‘extract system information’.

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Taiwan authorities have announced an internet shutdown and access restriction order for RedNote, tentatively for one year. The app is also known as Xiaohongshu or “little red book”. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Taiwan opposition blocks US$40 billion defence budget, prompting DPP protests

KMT and TPP say William Lai’s government is seeking a ‘blank cheque’ and demand details of procurement plans before proposal can be reviewed.

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A Patriot missile system is deployed at a park in Taipei, Taiwan during the Han Kuang military exercise on July 11. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Opinion | Trump’s world view offers Beijing a window of opportunity on Taiwan

As the US reframes the dynamics between allies and adversaries, Beijing may see an opportunity to advance its cross-strait goals.

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China’s military drills

Could the PLA use long-range rockets against ships in an attack on Taiwan?

State TV footage shows PHL-03 launchers hitting moving maritime targets during drill.

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Open Questions series

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on Taiwan, the Ukraine war, China-US ties

Zhou Bo ponders Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks, lessons from the Ukraine conflict and why China won’t be world’s policeman.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Taiwan

Taiwan’s William Lai accused of stoking fear with 2027 countdown confusion

Critics question where the money will come from to finance Lai’s plans for a massive increase in military spending.

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William Lai’s government plans to introduce a US$40 billion (NT$1.25 trillion) special defence budget over the next eight years. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Taiwanese leader Lai pledges US$40 billion rise in defence spending

William Lai says in newspaper article that the eight-year spending commitment is aimed to create ‘greater costs and uncertainties’ for Beijing.

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Taiwan

Taiwan on edge amid Beijing fury over Takaichi’s ‘survival-threat’ remarks

Island now at risk of becoming a flashpoint in confrontation between two major world powers, opposition says.

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Taiwan

‘Milestone’ or stunt? Taiwanese debate No 2 leader’s European Parliament speech

Supporters call Hsiao Bi-khim’s secret address a diplomatic win but critics label it a show to ‘deceive voters’.

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Taiwan’s No 2 leader Hsiao Bi-khim, accompanied by the island’s foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, delivered an address to the European Parliament titled “Taiwan: A Trusted Partner in a Volatile World”. Photo: dpa
Taiwan

Taiwan faces new unease after Xi-Trump summit leaves island sidelined

With the issue left off the table during last week’s meeting, analysts suggest that ‘strategic silence’ could mean new risks ahead.

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Taiwan

Taiwan revokes 50 citizenships over Beijing’s infiltration as critics slam move

Taekwondo star, professor among those stripped of household registration because they held ID cards from the mainland.

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Taiwan

Taiwanese increasingly reluctant to give lives to defend island, poll finds

Analysts said the findings suggest growing ‘fatigue from constant talk of war’ in the face of escalating tensions with mainland China.

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Around 60 per cent of those surveyed said armed conflict was not inevitable. Photo: EPA-EFE
Taiwan

KMT accuses Taiwan government of erasing Chiang Kai-shek after army hall renamed

While leadership says new Loyalty Hall name highlights army ethos, opposition accuses DPP of politicising military and rewriting history.

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Taiwan’s army has officially renamed the main auditorium of its headquarters. The island’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, sees the move as an attempt by the DPP government to erase the legacy of late Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek and the island’s historical ties to mainland China. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

China’s state media reveals Taiwan reunification ‘patriots rule’, economic perks

Xinhua article floats tariff-free status for all island products and protections for private property, religious beliefs and legal rights.

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China-Japan relations

China gives Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi the cold shoulder

Beijing has yet to congratulate Takaichi, who holds controversial positions on Taiwan and Japanese wartime history.

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Taiwan

Beijing sets October 25 as day to commemorate Taiwan’s restoration

National People’s Congress Standing Committee says designation strengthens ‘international community’s commitment to the one-China principle’.

This year is the 80th anniversary of the surrender of the Japanese forces in Taiwan. Photo: Elson Li
Taiwan

Beijing will invite Taiwan guests to mark 80 years since Japan’s surrender of island

‘Great victory deserves to be commemorated by compatriots on both sides’ of strait, Taiwan Affairs Office says.

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Balloons are released at Tiananmen Square at the end of a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the “Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-fascist war”, in Beijing on September 3. Photo: Eugene Lee
Taiwan

Taiwan defence chief warns of delays on key US F-16V fighter jet deal

Taiwan was to receive 66 of the Lockheed Martin aircraft by the end of 2026. Not a single one has been delivered.

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China's military weapons

PLA tanker ‘spotted resupplying coastguard vessel’ near Scarborough Shoal

Philippine maritime domain awareness report suggests PLA replenishment ship Qinghaihu was part of multi-vessel manoeuvre with coastguard.

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