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William Lai Ching-te

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William Lai Ching-te
The latest news on William Lai, (also known as Lai Ching-te),Taiwanese politician, former physician and currently the 8th president of the Republic of China, including politics news.
Born
6 Oct 1959
Industry
Politics
Job Title
Leader of Taiwan
People attend Computex 2025 at Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei on May 20, 2025. Photo: AFP
Taiwan economy

Trade war elephant in the showroom at Computex Taipei, Asia’s biggest tech expo

As Trump threatens to reinstate high tariffs on Taiwan, tech-sector exporters reliant on the US market fear the worst.

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My Take

My Take | Taiwan’s Lai does not have the cards with Washington or Beijing

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Taiwan

Letters | Why Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te was silent on cross-strait relations

Taiwan

Mainland China accuses Taiwan of backing cyberattacks on 1,000 sensitive targets

Guangzhou city police say tech company was hit with ‘rudimentary and crude’ methods.

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Investigators in mainland China say those who launched a recent cyberattack on a tech company in Guangzhou tried to mask their origin by routing attacks through VPNs, foreign cloud servers and “zombie machines”. Photo: Shutterstock
Taiwan

Taiwan cracks down on public servants with mainland ID and residency

Hundreds of thousands of government and military personnel screened in programme dismissed by critics as ‘loyalty pledges’.

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Taiwan

Why did Taiwan’s William Lai tone down his rhetoric on mainland China?

Lai omitted references to Beijing in a speech marking his first year in office this week, a change noted on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

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SCMP Highlights

China’s growing C919 jet network, AI in Chinese military: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing vowing to react to a possible Huawei ban to ‘candid’ talks between US and China envoys, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China’s homegrown C919 jetliner is seen during a 2024 airshow. The plans is seeing ever-increasing use across China. Photo: Xinhua
China’s military drills

PLA runs amphibious landing drill in strait as Taiwanese leader marks first year

The 73rd Group Army exercises tactics and skills of near-shore driving and landing operations with armoured amphibious vehicles.

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Taiwan

Taiwan’s Lai enters second year in office with troubles mounting on all sides

No honeymoon for the leader called inflexible, ineffectual in relations with Washington, and still on a collision course with Beijing.

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Taiwan

Video | William Lai reiterates willingness to talk to Beijing

After island’s shock at Trump’s 32% tariff move, leader commits to ‘never sacrificing any single sector’ in discussions with US

William Lai vows to protect Taiwan security and industry in speech marking year as leader
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Taiwan

Taiwan’s William Lai commits to security and industry on leadership anniversary

After island’s shock at Trump’s 32 per cent tariff move, leader commits to ‘never sacrificing any single sector’ in talks with US.

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Taiwanese leader William Lai delivers a speech focused on the island’s security while calling for peace and dialogue with Beijing, in Taipei on Tuesday. Photo: CNA
Taiwan

Taiwan tries to dispel doubts after Trump talks trade ‘unification’

The island’s presidential office says reference did not relate to Taiwan and the situation is unchanged.

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Taiwan economy

Taiwan currency’s surge ‘a warning’ in Asia’s de-dollarisation: analysts

Is the Trump administration’s hostility pushing the region away from a staple of American power?

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Taiwan

Video | Tens of thousands in Taiwan protest against William Lai

Tens of thousands rally in Taiwan against William Lai as recall turmoil engulfs legislature
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Taiwan

Can Taiwan still trust the US as Trump tariffs threaten heavy blow?

Poll shows most Taiwanese ‘have lost confidence’ in the US, with social media users saying that after Ukraine, ‘Trump will sell out Taiwan next’.

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Questions are being raised over whether Taiwan’s strategic value to the United States is being judged primarily by what the island can deliver economically and militarily. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Taiwan opposition to hold urgent summit amid recall battle with ruling DPP

Ruling party trying to suppress dissent through legal means after losing control of the legislature last year, KMT chief alleges.

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Taiwan

Taiwan spy scandals expose frailty of political and military defences

As government aides are investigated, there is alarm over Beijing’s intensifying efforts to undermine Taiwanese authorities from within.

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Taiwan

Taiwan leader’s approval ratings drop amid drive to unseat opposition lawmakers

Polling suggests Lai faces ‘unprecedented levels of public dissatisfaction’ and the Trump tariffs are a further risk to his support base.

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William Lai Ching-te took office in May last year but his popularity levels have fallen. Photo: EPA-EFE
Taiwan

Former aide to Taiwan’s security chief expelled from DPP over spying allegations

Ho Jen-chieh, who worked for the island’s former foreign minister Joseph Wu, is suspected of leaking classified information to Beijing.

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Taiwan

Opinion | Missed signals only worsen tensions over Taiwan

Addressing two major misperceptions that underpin the dynamics between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan would help promote stability.

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Taiwan

Taiwan’s civil defence drills go big, but has sense of urgency diminished?

Simulations aim to prepare islanders for natural disasters and wartime, but real challenge is fostering sustained sense of crisis awareness, experts say.

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People took part in a “defence resilience drill” in Tainan on Thursday, which tested evacuation protocols and temporary shelter facilities for displaced residents. Photo: AFP
China’s military drills

Beijing confirms what Taiwan already knew: PLA did drill near island last week

Days after island leader called mainland a ‘foreign hostile force’, Taiwan reported 59 PLA aircraft and 9 naval vessels nearby.

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A spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command said of recent drills: “This is a powerful punishment for ‘Taiwan independence’ forces and a serious warning to external interference forces. It is completely legitimate and necessary”. Photo: Eastern Theatre Command
Family offices

It’s a family affair: inside Hong Kong’s quest to lure world’s wealthiest clans

Two years ago, the government unveiled eight measures with the aim of attracting affluent families so they could set up family offices.

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Taiwan

Taiwanese law change targets military personnel with links to mainland China

The amendment, which is ready for cabinet consideration, includes prison sentences for expressing allegiance to Beijing.

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Taiwan

Taiwan’s feuding political parties raise the stakes with rival recall bids

Both the government and opposition are trying to unseat rival lawmakers in a battle that threatens to deepen the island’s internal divisions.

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Taiwan’s leader William Lai Ching-te has called for political harmony as his party and political opponents launch recall campaigns. Photo: EPA-EFE
Taiwan

Could mainland Chinese academics’ visit to Taiwan be first hint of a thaw?

Trip may open the way for more unofficial ‘Red-Green’ exchanges, but some observers warn formal talks seem unlikely at the moment.

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Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has signalled his openness to more cross-strait dialogue. Photo: AP
Taiwan

Opinion | How Taiwan’s Quemoy symbolises shared but diverging memories

Taiwan’s ‘Cold War Disneyland’ offers both a window into the bleakness of war and a reminder of the benefits of cross-strait detente.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | With South Korea in crisis, what black swans lurk for East Asia in 2025?

Signs of upheaval and uncertainty in Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines will be compounded as the US recalibrates its East Asia policy.

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