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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), politician, former physician and currently the 8th president of Taiwan.
Born
6 Oct 1959
Industry
Politics
Job Title
Leader of Taiwan
William Lai delivers his Double Tenth speech in Taipei on Saturday. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Taiwanese leader hails Washington and Beijing’s talks ‘to reduce risk of war’

Beijing says William Lai’s Double Tenth speech was ‘stirring up confrontation’ as he accused the mainland of trying to change the status quo.

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US-China relations

Alleged Beijing agent accused of filming William Lai’s son denied release in US

21
US-China relations

US accuses mainland China of targeting Taiwan leader’s family for surveillance

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US-China relations

Mainland Chinese favour diplomacy to achieve Taiwan reunification with caveats

China Pulse study also reveals faith in the US remains low, although still support for engaging with Washington on trade and security issues.

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Taipei's skyline in Taiwan, with Taipei 101 standing out among skyscrapers in the Xinyi Commercial District. Photo: Shutterstock
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Taipei’s dilemma over history deepens with Xi-Trump praise of WWII Flying Tigers

Taiwan’s ruling party uneasy that what could have been a valuable historical connection with the US has ended up benefiting Beijing’s ties.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi presses Trump to take the next step on Taiwan: oppose independence

The change would mean a shift in Washington’s long-standing position and affect American arms sales to the island, according to analysts.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump’s warm welcome for Xi met with caution and uncertainty in Taiwan

Observers say elaborate ceremonies in Washington should not be seen as proof of shifting US policy towards Taipei.

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Taipei has been especially concerned about a pending US$14 billion arms package, which has already been delayed as Washington works to manage its relations with Beijing. Photo: AFP
The summit in Washington is being watched closely in Taiwan. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Are Taiwan’s US ties still ‘rock solid’? Debate flares ahead of Xi-Trump summit

KMT seizes on reported limits on Washington visits as a ‘wake-up call’ for Taipei, warning that US policy is driven by self-interest.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

Jeanne Shaheen also said new law allowing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil ‘sends Beijing a message’ before this week’s summit in Washington.

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Taiwan

How will Beijing receive the most senior Taiwan official at Apec events this year?

Hung Sun-han will be the first cabinet-level official under William Lai Ching-te to travel to mainland China.

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Taiwanese Labour Minister Hung Sun-han is expected to travel to Nanjing on Sunday, becoming the first cabinet-level official under the William Lai Ching-te administration to visit mainland China. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Exclusive | ‘Provocation’ could accelerate Taiwan reunification: retired PLA major general

Island’s leader William Lai has ‘challenged our red lines’, Luo Yuan says on sidelines of Beijing’s Xiangshan Forum.

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Retired PLA major general Luo Yuan is a senior adviser to the Xiangshan Forum, China’s flagship security conference. Photo: Simon Song
China-Latin America relations

Beijing threatens ‘serious consequences’ after Panama lawmakers support Taiwan

Parliamentary exchange group set up despite pressure from China’s embassy and public disavowal by Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.

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Taiwan

US wants Taiwan to ‘serve as cannon fodder’ against mainland China: state media

CCTV warning follows comments by de facto US ambassador that the island did not need to show it could win a war outright to deter an attack.

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Taiwan

Rare Beijing spy series highlights real-life intelligence drama with Taiwan

TV series backed by Ministry of State Security and depicting espionage across Taiwan Strait proves ratings hit at its launch.

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The Long Watch TV drama delves into espionage between mainland China and Taiwan from 1998 to 2018. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

How Taiwan’s opposition feud over mayoral race threatens 2028 election alliance

Dispute between TPP and KMT over tech hub candidates could have ‘butterfly effect’ and spill into other battlegrounds, analysts say.

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The Kuomintang (KMT) has nominated Wu Hsu-chih to run for mayor of Zhubei, an important tech hub in Taiwan’s Hsinchu county. Photo: CNA
Taiwan

Extra funds push Taiwan’s defence spending past NT$1 trillion for the first time

The island’s cabinet approves supplementary budget, with heavy investment in missiles, drones and classified programmes.

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Taiwan

The laptop, the social media user and the false alarm in Taiwan over a Beijing ‘spy’

Persistent fears of mainland infiltration risk raising unnecessary suspicion and eroding public trust, analysts say.

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Taiwan

Taiwan proposes record US$35b defence budget for 2027 as PLA’s pressure grows

The government is targeting an 18.2 per cent increase in spending, with much of the extra money needed to pay for US weapons.

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Some of the extra money will go towards US-made Himars rocket launcher systems. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Why Taiwan is conducting its first-ever mobile network throttling exercise

Critics question value of tests as authorities aim to prepare public for outages caused by war, cyberattacks or natural disaster.

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Taiwan

Taiwan’s William Lai rehearses late-night emergency escape during military drill

As part of annual Han Kuang exercise, the island’s leader is evacuated in a drill simulating a potential PLA decapitation strike.

29
US-China relations

China competition looms large in 2027 US defence bill

Taiwan, AI and supply chains headline House and Senate proposals as lawmakers broaden efforts to counter Beijing on multiple fronts.

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The South China Sea remains a central focus of US military planning as Washington expands efforts to counter China. Photo: US Navy
Taiwan

KMT accuses Taiwan’s government of failing to uphold South China Sea claims

Opposition figure calls on DPP administration to protest to Manila over Philippine attempt to chart a boundary around Scarborough Shoal.

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Scarborough Shoal is claimed by a number of parties. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Will the heat from a cooking oil scandal help the opposition in Taiwan?

Mass protest may have put Taipei mayor Wayne Chiang in pole position to contest the island’s next leadership election.

Taiwan

Beijing conducts live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait after criticising Lai speech

Beginning of exercise coincides with completion of Beijing’s fisheries resources survey conducted in waters east of Taiwan.

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Taiwan

Will Taiwan’s food safety scandal wreck ruling DPP’s local election hopes?

The opposition has been handed the chance to portray the government as both ineffective and hypocritical ahead of the vote.

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Taiwanese authorities say nearly 8,500 tonnes of soybean salad oil were found to contain carcinogen levels that exceeded the legal limit. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong national security law

Booksellers must ensure titles don’t violate national security laws: Chris Tang

Security minister compares stores selling seditious books to vendors offering contaminated or poisonous food.

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Hong Kong police search independent bookstore Have a Nice Stay on Wednesday. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

The missile funding dispute endangering Taiwan’s ‘T-Dome’ air defence plan

Strong Bow system cannot be included in special bill amid diminishing chances of securing supplementary funding this year, officials say.

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Taiwan

Is the US trying to sway Taiwan’s KMT by receiving its legislative speaker?

Washington appears to be cultivating relationships with different strands of the island’s opposition party, say analysts.

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