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.
Differing views have emerged within the Kuomintang over a special defence budget. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Is Taiwan’s opposition KMT splitting into pro-US and pro-Beijing camps?

Big differences have emerged over defence spending just as the party’s chairwoman prepares to set off for the mainland.

videocam
7
Taiwan

Former KMT chairwoman calls for ‘profound mutual trust’ with mainland China

8
SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s racial divide; Australia and Japan’s jet fuel woes: 7 highlights

Taiwan

Letters | Why KMT leader’s planned visit to mainland China is significant

Readers discuss the chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party’s trip to the mainland, and the approach to treating drug abuse in Hong Kong.

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, interacts with supporters in Taipei, Taiwan, November 1, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Editorial | Kuomintang leader’s visit to mainland China gives reason for hope

While the KMT is not in power, Cheng’s visit at President Xi’s invitation can still contribute to cross-strait understanding.

Taiwan

Taiwan’s KMT chair Cheng Li-wun to honour Sun Yat-sen on mainland China visit

Arriving in Shanghai on April 7 for six-day trip, Cheng will travel to Nanjing by train to pay respects at Sun Yat-sen’s mausoleum, KMT says.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Taiwan

No deals on mainland China visit, Taiwan’s opposition KMT chairwoman warned

Kuomintang chair Cheng Li-wun is expected to lead a delegation to mainland China from April 7 to 12.

videocam
11
Cheng Li-wun’s coming cross-strait visit has rattled Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party and exposed unease even within KMT ranks. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Names and games: Taipei hits back over ‘China’ label, but will it pay off?

Taiwan retaliates against countries that have changed its name in official systems, but analysts and lawmakers warn measures could backfire.

videocam
9
Taiwan

US senators visit Taiwan to push defence spending as arms deadlines loom

The trip signals Washington’s frustration with budget impasse, but analysts say real power over Taiwan policy rests with the White House.

14
Taiwan

Taiwan KMT leader to visit mainland China to aid ‘peaceful’ relations: Beijing

Cheng Li-wun invited to visit Jiangsu province, Shanghai and Beijing next month.

videocam
38
Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s Kuomintang party, has been invited to visit mainland China next month, according to Beijing. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Taiwanese court jails former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je for 17 years for corruption

Ko also banned from running for the island’s top office for six years, ruling out a run in 2028.

videocam
6
Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je arrives at court ahead of the verdict on the corruption trial in Taipei, Taiwan, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Can Taiwan fulfil Asia-Pacific drone hub goal with ‘non-red’ supply chain push?

Plan is to invest US$1.38 billion between 2025 and 2030 for uncrewed systems industry, but questions linger over scale, politics and timing.

videocam
5
Taiwan

Taiwan opposition parties join forces for local polls with eye on 2028 race

Main opposition Kuomintang and smaller Taiwan People’s Party approve cooperation agreement to contest local elections in November.

videocam
14
Taiwan

Taiwan leader ‘glorifying Japanese colonial rule’, Beijing says

Backlash was prompted by a speech that said the early days of the KMT’s rule over island were ‘worse than the colonial regime’.

videocam
35
William Lai has said Chiang Kai-shek and the Japanese did not really care about the island. Photo: CNA
Taiwan

Swing and a miss? Taiwan’s premier under fire over baseball trip to Tokyo

Beijing has lashed out over Cho Jung-tai’s one-day visit to Japan, which was described as a ‘private itinerary’ to support the island’s team.

videocam
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai says his trip to Tokyo for the World Baseball Classic on March 7 was paid for out of his own pocket and had “no other purpose”. Photo: Facebook/Cho Jung-tai
Taiwan

Taiwan scrambles to sign US arms deals before deadline amid budget gridlock

Taipei receives formal US offer for 82 Himars while agreements for howitzers and missiles also await sign-off by island’s legislature.

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.

5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Taiwan

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

Analysts say the recent pause may be aimed at creating a conciliatory atmosphere in advance of this month’s leaders’ meeting.

videocam
18
While no aircraft were recorded near Taiwan over six consecutive days, including the Chinese New Year, the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command said it maintained combat-oriented training over the period. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

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

Analysts say attacks on Iran illustrate Taipei’s need for integrated weapons systems, superior intelligence and electronic warfare.

videocam
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.

videocam
14
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.

Taiwanese exporters face fresh uncertainty as the Trump administration turns to other trade tools following the US Supreme Court’s ruling. Photo: EPA
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
13
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

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.

videocam
5
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’.

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
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.

videocam
23
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
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement