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Taiwan went to the polls in a critical presidential election on January 13, 2024.
In trip rife with symbolism, former island leader meets President Xi Jinping in Beijing and makes it clear force not an option for Chinese on both sides of strait.
Harrowing images from quake-hit island call for swift humanitarian response despite strained cross-strait relations and fears for vital semiconductor sector.
The new DPP administration under William Lai – and even the United States – must realise that it is in everyone’s interest to adhere to the one-China principle.
Despite what most Western pundits think, both sides will test each other’s intentions in a way that may lead to a temporary easing of tensions.
- Taiwan Affairs Office releases another strongly worded statement following William Lai’s inauguration on Monday
- ‘The entire speech was filled with antagonism and provocation, lies and deception,’ office says
Opposition groups in Taiwan cry foul over new president’s unexpectedly assertive rhetoric on cross-strait ties, while international community largely praises his swearing-in ceremony.
Taiwanese leader made no mention of the ‘one China’ consensus in his inauguration speech, but spoke of the island as a ‘nation’, drawing a swift rebuke from Beijing.
Former DPP chairman Cho Jung-tai is chief of the 34-member cabinet, with familiar faces in key roles.
Taiwan Affairs Office says the address stubbornly adhered to an independence stance, which will ‘never be tolerated’.
In his first speech as leader, Lai omits any reference to the 1992 consensus, saying the two sides of the Taiwan Strait ‘are not subordinate to each other’.
In the run-up to William Lai’s inauguration on Monday, reluctance in the military to remove statues of the late leader raises questions about its loyalty.
As Taipei prepares to inaugurate William Lai as president, his ‘force of nature’ second-in-command has Beijing concerned about her sway in Washington.
A trip to Tokyo by Taipei’s mayor, who is tipped as a future presidential candidate, is the latest indication of the growing closeness of Japan and Taiwan.
US and Taiwanese forces hold rare joint drills in move experts say is sign Washington is trying to assert its support for island’s defence without dealing major blow to relations with mainland China.
Analysts say Taiwanese president-elect William Lai Ching-te still has chance to make goodwill gesture towards mainland China when he is sworn in, but few are optimistic that his speech will lead to warmer relations.
China made advances in AI, big data analytics and deepfakes; its initiatives already detected in elections in Australia, Canada and Taiwan, says Avril Haines.
Beijing says five media and political figures from Taiwan will be subject to punitive measures, accusing them of provoking cross-strait hostility.
Taiwan’s authorities may have limited options in enforcing rules, with tougher action potentially escalating into unintended cross-strait conflict, say analysts.
Taipei’s de facto diplomatic envoy to the US under president-elect William Lai Ching-te also says most on the island ‘prefer the status quo’.
Mainland China sends mixed messages as island’s president-elect William Lai Ching-te prepares to take office, sending PLA planes in closest known fly-by while signalling goodwill through eased tourism and imports.
Coastguards based in Fujian have been increasingly active around the Taipei-held island since an incident when two fishermen died in February.
Allies and partners described as more willing and comfortable to stand alongside Washington when they understand stance espouses ‘peace and stability’.
Lai must deflect the risk of war by improving relations with mainland China, Fu says after trip to Beijing.
Just weeks before William Lai Ching-te takes office as Taiwanese leader, the Ministry of State Security issues warning to island’s ‘separatist forces’ and pledges to expand public support for peaceful reunification.
In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at the latest in cross-strait relations, with independence-leaning William Lai Ching-te set to take over as Taiwan president next month.
Travellers from the province will first be able to visit Matsu and then the main island of Taiwan, once direct sea services resume, official says.
Weeks ahead of his inauguration, William Lai Ching-te says Beijing should ‘have confidence’ in talking to the island’s ‘elected legitimate’ government.
William Lai Ching-te’s ministerial team is expected to show Lai has no desire to alter cross-strait status quo: analysts.
‘Uncertainty’ sparked by election of William Lai as president may worsen if Trump returns to power, article in Taiwan affairs journal warns.
Island’s former leader also calls on William Lai to ‘confirm the one-China framework’.
Analysts say former Taiwanese leader’s VIP visit to mainland could help Beijing amplify appeals for ‘peaceful reunification’ with the island and send well-timed message to Taiwan’s president-elect William Lai Ching-te.
‘Foreign interference’ cannot stop historic trend of ‘family reunion’, Xi Jinping says, as Ma Ying-jeou becomes first serving or former Taiwan president to meet top leadership on the mainland.
