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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.
Washington has approved US$11 billion in sales of weapons and systems to Taiwan, including Himars rocket launchers. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Whose vision for Taiwan’s military will win? Rival defence bills reveal rift

The island’s main political parties clash over whether to prioritise US arms or invest in home-grown weapons and ‘T-Dome’ air shield.

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Taiwan

No PLA planes over Taiwan in 6 days. Why has Beijing pressed pause?

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Taiwan

US strike on Iran fuels Taiwan’s air defence debate and energy supply fears

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Taiwan

Taiwan arms deals may be first to fall through as result of political deadlock

Defence minister appeals to lawmakers to back US$40 billion spending plan before the arms deals with the US expire next month.

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Wellington Koo, the defence minister of Taiwan, says “defence budgets and force-building should transcend party lines”. Photo: CNA
Taiwan

Taiwan seeks clarity after US Supreme Court upends Trump’s tariff powers

Taipei scrambles to ensure trade exemptions remain intact, but opposition warns the ruling ‘completely overturned’ tariff deal.

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.

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Taiwan

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

Taiwanese media attributes slow post-pandemic recovery to cross-strait tensions, partial travel bans.

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Visitors throng the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. More than a third of Taiwanese visitors to mainland China last year were young people, according to Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office. Photo: Xinhua
Taiwan

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

Island’s leader has appealed to opposition parties to stop blocking a US$40 billion spending plan, citing the need to ‘safeguard security’.

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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.

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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.

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Video footage shared by the company behind the prototype showed the sub operating at periscope depth, conducting rudder control and mast deployment tests. Photo: Handout
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.

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Xi Jinping has urged Washington to handle arms sales to Taiwan with extreme caution. Photo: AFP
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.

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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.

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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.

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US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping meet in Busan on October 30 last year. Photo: AFP
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.

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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.

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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.

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Opposition parties accuse Taiwanese leader William Lai of showing contempt for parliament and evading democratic scrutiny. Photo: EPA
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.

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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.

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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.

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People walk beside a logo outside the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Museum of Innovation at its headquarters in Hsinchu on November 21, 2024. Photo: AFP
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.

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President Donald Trump’s order to withdraw the United States from multiple UN and other international organisations has caused consternation in Taiwan. Illustration: Reuters
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.

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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.

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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.

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A single-seat F-16V fighter jet belonging to Hualien Air Force Base in Taiwan crashed off the coast of Hualien this week while conducting a routine night training mission. It has drawn attention to the maintenance and upgrade of the island’s military equipment. Photo: Handout
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.

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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.

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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’.

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