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Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen is a former Taiwanese leader. She took office on May 20, 2016, after her Democratic Progressive Party won a landslide victory over the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang in the presidential election in January of the same year. She was the first woman elected leader of the self-ruled island.

Born

31 Aug 1956

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Taiwanese leader

last updated:

25 October, 2024

Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te (centre) greets Bishop Museum director Dee Jay Mailer in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Taiwan’s Lai arrives in Hawaii for 2-day US stop on way to South Pacific

The stop, and another planned in Guam, have drawn fierce criticism from Beijing.

1 Dec 2024 - 5:14AMvideocam

Tsai Ing-wen

Taiwan’s Lai arrives in Hawaii for 2-day US stop on way to South Pacific

The stop, and another planned in Guam, have drawn fierce criticism from Beijing.

Ex-Taiwanese leader’s trip to security summit in Canada raises ire in Beijing

Beijing reminds Canada of ‘one China’ pledge ahead of visit by Tsai

Beijing could elaborate law for ‘non-peaceful’ Taiwan reunification

Cautionary remarks by former US envoy, Taipei lawmaker come after PLA unleashes blockade drills over speech by island’s ‘separatist’ leader.

Editorial | Drills that blockaded Taiwan a reminder of Beijing’s red lines

Island’s leader William Lai continues to test Beijing’s patience with inflammatory talk, a situation that serves no one’s interests.

Beijing hits out at Lai’s speech arguing mainland lacks authority over island

William Lai says the two sides of the strait should have equal status, comments that Beijing says are meant to worsen cross-strait tensions.

Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen to visit Europe in first overseas trip since stepping down

Details of 8-day visit kept quiet amid security concerns, reports say.

Taiwan sets war readiness goals at meeting of new defence resilience committee

Whole-of-Society Defence Resilience Committee aims to mobilise around 400,000 people, security official says.

No 2 Taiwan official visiting US for 2 weeks seeks ‘better understanding’

Speculation about how much Washington trusts island’s new leader looms over tour by Democratic Progressive Party’s secretary general.

William Lai pushes Taiwan identity to counter Beijing. But how far will he go?

Island’s leader wants to rename local dialect and boost cultural pride, but analysts say he is unlikely to officially declare independence.

Xiamen forum reveals state of tourism between mainland China and Taiwan

Straits Forum shows up Taiwanese concerns and the limitations of Beijing’s new policy.

Czechs to open cultural centre in Taiwan, risking Beijing’s ire

Czech official says centre is meant to deepen understanding among Taiwanese of traditional and contemporary Czech culture.

Lithuanian president re-elected in vote marked by Russia fears

Gitanas Nauseda elected to a second, five-year term as rival Ingrida Simonyte concedes defeat. Russia’s war in Ukraine dominated the presidential campaign in the Nato member nation of 2.8 million.

Harder to respond: why Beijing may prefer a blockade to armed conflict on Taiwan

PLA exercise was planned before William Lai’s inauguration and calibrated to ‘signal displeasure, but hopefully not escalate’, says analyst.

‘Empty talk’: Beijing rebuffs Taiwan leader’s bid to revive tourism, exchanges

Taiwan Affairs Office releases another strongly worded statement following William Lai’s inauguration on Monday.

Taiwan’s new leader William Lai takes the helm, and a tougher line

Taiwanese leader made no mention of the ‘one China’ consensus in his inauguration speech, but spoke of the island as a ‘nation’, drawing a swift rebuke from Beijing.

The big difference between Taiwan’s William Lai and Tsai Ing-wen on day 1

In his first speech as leader, Lai omits any reference to the 1992 consensus, saying the two sides of the Taiwan Strait ‘are not subordinate to each other’.

In Taiwan, eyes are on the next president and the ghost of Chiang Kai-shek

In the run-up to William Lai’s inauguration on Monday, reluctance in the military to remove statues of the late leader raises questions about its loyalty.

Taiwan’s concerns grow and options shrink as Beijing patrols Quemoy waters

Taiwan’s authorities may have limited options in enforcing rules, with tougher action potentially escalating into unintended cross-strait conflict, say analysts.

Taiwan leader is open to Beijing dialogue ‘on equal footing’: envoy

Taipei’s de facto diplomatic envoy to the US under president-elect William Lai Ching-te also says most on the island ‘prefer the status quo’.

Beijing wields warplanes, trade and travel to pressure Taiwan’s next president

Mainland China sends mixed messages as island’s president-elect William Lai Ching-te prepares to take office, sending PLA planes in closest known fly-by while signalling goodwill through eased tourism and imports.

As relations with Beijing cool, Israel seeks closer bilateral ties with Taiwan

Israeli cross-party delegation meets representatives of island’s current and incoming governments, visits science park and attends Holocaust Memorial Day event.

Incoming Taiwan cabinet to feature fresh faces but security left to old hands

William Lai Ching-te’s ministerial team is expected to show Lai has no desire to alter cross-strait status quo: analysts.

Opinion | Scandals, cross-strait tensions have Taiwan’s Lai starting from behind

A series of high-profile incidents and scandals, plus heightened cross-strait tensions, have piled the pressure on president-elect William Lai and his team before they even take office.

Taiwan quake: Taipei rebuffs aid offer from mainland China amid deadly disaster

The dead include three hikers and a truck driver killed by falling rocks in Hualien on the east coast of the island.

Taiwan postpones Quemoy live-fire drills after Beijing warns against ‘rash’ act

Kinmen Defence Command was scheduled to start exercises on Tuesday but postponed citing bad weather.

Taiwan opposition questions President Tsai’s absence from Taiping pier ceremony

Taiwan launched its newly renovated pier on Taiping islet in the disputed South China Sea on Tuesday but Tsai Ing-wen’s absence was noted by the opposition.

Beijing hits back as Biden team seeks US$100 million to help Taiwan military

Request for 2025 budget is ‘historic investment in Taiwan’s security’, US State Department says, as Pentagon seeks US$500 million in arms support for island.