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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.
DPP legislator Su Chiao-hui (centre) says the purpose of amending Taiwan’s anti-infiltration law is to eliminate legal blind spots, not to criminalise ordinary political activity. Photo: CNA
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

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Taiwan

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

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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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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’.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Taiwan

Taiwan’s opposition lawmakers vow to impeach leader William Lai

Proposal is likely to be a symbolic gesture as impeachment would require 76 legislators to agree, while opposition camp holds only 62 seats.

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Tensions between Taiwan’s legislature and the Democratic Progressive Party-led government have been high since William Lai Ching-te took office as the island’s leader in May last year. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Taiwan government accused of trying to ‘bypass legislature’ amid bitter row

A dispute over how funds are allocated has triggered a stand-off in which both sides accused the other of undermining the constitution.

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Taiwan

Opinion | Momentum for peaceful reunification across Taiwan Strait is growing

Recent shifts in Taiwan’s political environment and international attitudes suggest the time is right for cross-strait engagement.

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Taiwan

Taiwan RedNote ban backfires, driving mainland Chinese app’s top download rise

Many users and opposition politicians accuse Taiwan’s ruling party of overreach and damaging island’s reputation for open internet access.

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Many of RedNote’s more than 3 million active users in Taiwan are young women who rely on the platform for beauty, fashion, travel and lifestyle content. Photo: Shutterstock
Taiwan

Lifeline or rubbish? Taiwan updates disaster and conflict survival guide

‘Little orange book’ sent to nearly 10 million households advises on survival response, but many question its cost and value.

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People take part in a mass casualty evacuation drill during Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei on July 17. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Taiwan blocks mainland Chinese platform RedNote citing ‘high fraud risk’

Island’s digital affairs ministry says five Chinese apps collect sensitive data, access biometric functions and ‘extract system information’.

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Taiwan

Taiwan opposition blocks US$40 billion defence budget, prompting DPP protests

KMT and TPP say William Lai’s government is seeking a ‘blank cheque’ and demand details of procurement plans before proposal can be reviewed.

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Taiwan

Will the St Vincent election cost Taiwan another Caribbean ally?

Taiwan downplays concerns that Kingstown could flip ties to Beijing while eyeing polls in Honduras, where Taipei-friendly candidates lead.

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Godwin Friday (left), the new prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, leads the New Democratic Party, which has long advocated changing recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Taiwan’s plan to acquire drone ‘takeover’ technology sparks security debate

Network would protect key infrastructure from incursions by small commercial drones but there are concerns over use of takeover function.

Taiwan

Taiwan’s William Lai accused of stoking fear with 2027 countdown confusion

Critics question where the money will come from to finance Lai’s plans for a massive increase in military spending.

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SCMP Highlights

China-Japan ties deteriorate; airlines cancel flights: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing-Tokyo tensions escalating to China strengthens its global drone dominance, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

A Chinese tour group crosses a street in central Tokyo. China has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Taiwan’s KMT seeks to change law to allow mainland-born spouses to hold office

Current law requires elected officials to prove they renounced their former citizenship – which is impossible for those born on the mainland.

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The proposal has triggered a debate about Taiwanese identity. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Beijing launches historic preservation campaign to cement South China Sea claims

Conservation specialists repair monument on Woody Island in the disputed Paracel Islands, with more preservation work planned.

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Taiwan

Taiwan on edge amid Beijing fury over Takaichi’s ‘survival-threat’ remarks

Island now at risk of becoming a flashpoint in confrontation between two major world powers, opposition says.

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Taiwan

Opinion | The Busan silence: how great-power pragmatism is rewriting Taiwan’s future

With time on Beijing’s side for reunification and the US more focused on deals, a quiet understanding on Taiwan could harden into routine.

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Tourists on Dadan Island in Quemoy take photos of building across the strait on October 18. Photo: Reuters
China-Japan relations

Beijing summons Japanese ambassador in latest protest over PM’s Taiwan comments

Chinese foreign ministry calls Japanese leader’s remarks ‘egregiously wrong’ and urges Tokyo ‘to immediately correct itself’.

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Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong has described the Japanese leader’s remarks as an “interference in China’s internal affairs”. Photo: Xinhua
Taiwan

US invites Taiwan KMT chief to Washington, stresses top priority to ‘avoid war’

De facto ambassador Raymond Greene meets opposition party’s new chairwoman two weeks after the Xi-Trump summit in Busan.

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Taiwan

‘Milestone’ or stunt? Taiwanese debate No 2 leader’s European Parliament speech

Supporters call Hsiao Bi-khim’s secret address a diplomatic win but critics label it a show to ‘deceive voters’.

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