Advertisement
Advertisement
-
TOPIC

Kuomintang

Kuomintang
The Kuomintang (KMT) is a prominent political party in Taiwan, with its headquarters in Taipei. Founded by Sun Yat-sen in 1912, it historically governed mainland China before relocating to Taiwan in 1949. Its core mission, guided by the “Three Principles of the People,” is to establish a free, democratic and prosperous Republic of China. The KMT focuses on political representation, governance, and promoting nationalism, democracy and people’s livelihood, notably contributing to Taiwan's economic development and democratisation.
US President Donald Trump’s remarks on arms sales have unsettled Taiwan watchers as they appear to violate one of the Six Assurances issued by Washington in 1982. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Taiwan

How Trump’s Beijing bargaining could derail Taiwan’s defence budget

US leader’s talk of consulting Xi Jinping on arms sales could hand Taiwan’s opposition a ‘lifeline’ to reshape spending bill, experts say.

videocam
Taiwan

Over 3 million Taiwanese visited mainland China in 2025, Taipei says

videocam
5
Taiwan

Taiwan defence budget delays may push island down US priority list: William Lai

videocam
11
China-Japan relations

How Takaichi’s big win in Japan may complicate Beijing’s Taiwan policy

Taiwan’s opposition leader warns against ‘being reduced to a pawn in strategic competition’, urges efforts to prevent conflict in strait.

videocam
81
The Liberal Democratic Party, led by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has secured a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house of parliament after Sunday’s snap election. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Will Taiwan meet sub delivery deadline, unlock defence funds with Hai Kun tests?

Prototype under Indigenous Defence Submarine programme is seen as central to boosting asymmetric naval capabilities to counter Beijing.

videocam
Taiwan

Xi, Trump and why their talks are stoking unease in Taiwan

William Lai says the island’s ties with Washington remain rock solid but others are seeing a clear shift.

videocam
23
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Taiwan

Wang Huning urges integrated cross-strait growth in talks with Taiwan’s KMT

Beijing’s top official on Taiwan affairs says Communist Party and Kuomintang must ‘take the lead’ in promoting cooperation.

6
KMT vice-chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen (left) meets Wang Huning (right), mainland China’s top Taiwan affairs official, on Wednesday in Beijing. Photo: CNA
Taiwan

Taiwan’s KMT stresses ‘family’ ties with mainland China as vice-chair begins visit

Landmark trip draws fierce criticism from Taiwan’s ruling party and reignites debate about the island’s cross-strait strategy.

10
Taiwan

US defence strategy omission raises alarm in Taiwan over Trump’s intentions

Document splits opinion, with some experts fearing that the island could become a bargaining chip between Washington and Beijing.

videocam
22
Taiwan

Communist Party and KMT revive forum stalled by decade of cross-strait tensions

Dialogue channel could pave the way for a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese opposition party leader Cheng Li-wun.

KMT vice-chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen (left), seen here with think tank leader Lee Hong-yuan, will lead a delegation of more than 40 people to attend a party-to-party forum in Beijing next week. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Taiwan’s defence ministry slams TPP’s ‘unworkable’ military spending plan

Opposition party’s proposal would drop plans for ‘T-Dome’ air defence system and cut budget ceiling to US$12.7 billion.

35
Taiwan’s military conducts a live-fire drill with US-made Himars on May 12 in Pingtung county, Taiwan. Photo: EPA-EFE
Taiwan

Taiwan launches firepower hub with US as PLA pressure intensifies

Taipei is ramping up coordination between its US-made weapons systems and locally developed missile capabilities.

videocam
13
Taiwan

What next for Taiwan as William Lai refuses to attend impeachment hearings?

Lawmakers from ruling DPP have dismissed process as political theatre designed to generate publicity ahead of election season.

videocam
31
Taiwan

Critics in Taiwan question true cost of US deal hailed for tariff cut

Debate centres on Taiwan’s financial commitment to the US – whether US$250 billion or US$500 billion – and if it will harm the economy.

videocam
6
Taiwanese opposition parties have warned that what officials portray as a tariff win could carry heavy long-term costs for the island’s economy and industrial base. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Taiwanese military’s closed-door meeting draws ‘black box’ criticism

Taiwan’s defence minister delivers classified briefing on record US$39.5 billion budget in a bid to break opposition blockade.

videocam
17
Washington’s latest arms sale package to Taiwan includes the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars. Photo: EPA-EFE
My Take

My Take | Taiwan has just sold out TSMC and half its chips industry to the US

The so-called silicon shield is bust as there will not be much left of the island to defend after the forced relocation of a significant chunk of industrial base under new tariff deal.

22
Taiwan

Will US exit from world bodies deal fresh blow to Taiwan’s global profile push?

Opposition lawmakers fear the island’s international space will shrink still further without Washington’s voice in dozens of global bodies.

videocam
8
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Taiwan

Taipei hails US 15% tariffs ‘home run’ despite fears over US$500 billion cost

Deal risks gutting Taiwan’s semiconductor sector, opposition parties warn, as Beijing dubs it a plot to drain lifeblood of island’s industry.

videocam
22
Taiwanese leader William Lai has said the agreement will strengthen Taiwan’s global competitiveness and deepen hi-tech cooperation with Washington. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Taiwan targets Beijing-linked infiltration with push for stricter punishment

Lawmakers propose minimum sentences and tighter rules for political candidates, while critics warn the changes amount to more social control.

6
Taiwan

F-16 fighter crash brings fresh scrutiny to Taiwan’s ageing military equipment

Opposition politicians frame incident as readiness problem created by high operational tempo, ageing airframes and slow equipment delivery.

videocam
39
Taiwan

Are the Communist Party and the KMT reviving a cross-strait political channel?

The Kuomintang’s vice-chairman is expected to head a party delegation from Taiwan to the mainland later this month, reports say.

videocam
Representatives of the KMT could once again be making the trip across the Taiwan Strait for a forum with the Communist Party. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Bid to change Taiwan law that prompted Beijing to warn of war risk collapses

Critics warn that the proposed change to a law concerning mainland China risks Beijing’s anger by moving towards de jure independence.

videocam
4
DPP legislator Lin I-chin who proposed the change has dismissed opposition claims she quietly pulled the proposal, accusing her critics of “spreading falsehoods”. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Beijing warns of war risk if Taiwan ruling party rebrands cross-strait ties law

Proposed changes show William Lai’s administration and party are ‘peace destroyers, crisis creators and war instigator’.

videocam
97
Taiwan

KMT chair hopes to take peace message to Beijing while on political tightrope

Cheng Li-wun is concerned about timing of visit as election season looms, while critics say her plan downplays security threat to Taiwan.

videocam
31
Taiwan

What next for Taiwan’s Lai as US$37 billion defence boost blocked by KMT, allies?

Procedural blockade for eight-year military spending package has also stalled 2026 general budget review, piling up pressure on ruling DPP.

videocam
44
Taiwanese leader William Lai’s proposed extra defence spending has been described by his administration as “critical to deterring intensifying military pressure” from mainland China. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Taiwan’s lawmakers vote to start impeachment process against William Lai

Opposition-controlled legislature will hold a series of hearings before a formal vote in May.

videocam
13
Taiwan’s legislature will need a two-thirds majority to impeach William Lai. Photo: EPA-EFE
SCMP Highlights

China, Russia clash with US at UN; Taipei mayor visit: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing accusing Washington of violating international law to a study on animal fats, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

US-China relations

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

videocam
20
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement