https://www.scmp.com/rss/522997/feed The latest news and top stories on Lu Shiow-yen, a prominent figure of the Kuomintang (KMT) party. She has served as mayor of Taichung since 2018. Previously a television presenter and legislator, she holds a Master’s in International Affairs. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Lawrence Chung,Amber Wang Lawrence Chung,Amber Wang The high-profile talks between leaders of the Communist Party and the Kuomintang are a step towards cross-strait stability despite the KMT’s opposition status in Taiwan, according to observers. Communist Party chief Xi Jinping and KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun met in Beijing on Friday in the first such talks between the sitting leaders of the two parties in nearly a decade. Analysts in mainland China and Taiwan broadly agreed that the encounter signalled a revival of cross-strait engagement... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349690/will-cheng-li-wuns-meeting-xi-jinping-temper-cross-strait-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349690/will-cheng-li-wuns-meeting-xi-jinping-temper-cross-strait-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is showing signs of internal strain ahead of its leader’s planned visit to mainland China, with divisions over defence spending and ties with Washington and Beijing raising questions over the party’s strategic direction. KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun is set to go to mainland China with a delegation from April 7 to 12 on a trip that could include a meeting with Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. The trip comes as the party remains divided over a contentious... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349025/taiwans-opposition-kmt-splitting-pro-us-and-pro-beijing-camps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349025/taiwans-opposition-kmt-splitting-pro-us-and-pro-beijing-camps?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:00:14 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Beijing recently invited Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun to pay a visit to mainland China from April 7 to 12, an invitation she promptly accepted. The last time a sitting chairperson of the KMT visited the mainland was 10 years ago. On November 1, 2025, Cheng was... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348808/why-kmt-leaders-planned-visit-mainland-china-significant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348808/why-kmt-leaders-planned-visit-mainland-china-significant?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung After Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang survived two mass recall votes, the party’s supporters are hoping it can make more gains in next year’s local polls – and even potentially regain power in 2028. But the party is not celebrating. Instead it is consumed by anxiety over who will succeed Eric Chu Li-luan when he steps down as chairman in October, a role seen by some as a poisoned chalice. It is a volatile time in Taiwanese politics. The proportion of voters with a favourable view of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3323674/taiwans-opposition-kmt-has-opportunity-who-will-take-charge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3323674/taiwans-opposition-kmt-has-opportunity-who-will-take-charge?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Aug 2025 02:00:14 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te’s approval rating has fallen below 45 per cent for the second time since he took office amid a backlash over his handling of Typhoon Danas and his support for a recall campaign targeting opposition lawmakers. A new survey released by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation on Tuesday found that only 42.9 per cent of respondents were satisfied with Lai’s performance – down 5.8 percentage points from June. The disapproval rating was 44.5 per cent. It marks the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3318738/taiwanese-leader-william-lai-one-his-worst-moments-approval-rating-falls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3318738/taiwanese-leader-william-lai-one-his-worst-moments-approval-rating-falls?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Jul 2025 10:00:14 +0000