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Despite having cut official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, the U.S. remains the island's chief diplomatic ally and source of military hardware and intelligence. Lai's victory was a setback for China’s efforts to bring Taiwan under its control. It goes against the expectation of global democratic communities and goes against the will of the people of Taiwan to uphold democratic values. Lai’s victory means the Democratic Progressive Party will hold the presidency for a third four-year term, following eight years under Tsai. Lai won a three-way race for president with 40% of the vote, less than the clear majority Tsai won in 2020.

Persons: —, Tsai Ing, “, Stephen Hadley, Lai Ching, James B, Steinberg, Tsai, ”, Antony Blinken, Lai, Johnson Lai Organizations: U.S, Saturday, Taiwan “, Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, United Nations, Nationalists, Kuomintang, KMT, China's, Chinese Foreign Ministry, ___ Associated Press Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Hadley, U.S, Asia, Pacific

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Big Bank earnings point to a grim season
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Win Mcnamee | Getty ImagesThis report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. What you need to know todayThe bottom lineFourth-quarter earnings have officially begun with four of Wall Street's top six banks reporting rather bleak results. JPMorgan Chase, the biggest U.S. bank by assets, paid a sizeable fee linked to the government seizures associated with regional banking crisis last March, which impacted its earnings. Citigroup has lagged its Wall Street peers since the 2008 financial crisis and remains the lowest valued among the top six banks.

Persons: Brian Moynihan, Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase, Jane Fraser, Win Mcnamee, Jane Fraser's, Kurt Rankin, Lai Ching, Lai Organizations: Bank of America, JPMorgan, Citigroup, CNBC, Federal Reserve, PNC, Voters, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Hart, Washington , DC, U.S, Asia, China, Taiwan

☆ Taiwan's new president will face a divided parliament. Here's why it matters
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A kid runs across the flag of Taiwan banner during the announcement of official results on January 13, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan. While Lai won the presidential election on Saturday with 40% of the popular vote, his DPP lost 10 seats in Taiwan's parliament from its previous 61, giving up its majority. Taiwan's president- and vice president-elect from the Democratic Progressive Party Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim standing along several party's heavyweight on the central stage in Taipei on Janauary 13, 2024 to celebrate victory in Taiwan's 8th presidential election. The Chinese Communist Party has refused to engage with outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen since she assumed office in 2016. Supporters attend the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) campaign rally on January 12, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Persons: Sawayasu Tsuji, Lai Ching, Han Kuo, rancor, —, Lai, Timothy S, Rich, Sara Newland, TPP, Tsai, Gabriel Wildau, Democratic Progressive Party Lai Ching, Hsiao, Alberto Buzzola, Tsai Ing, Ting Yen Franklin Organizations: Getty, TAIPEI —, Taiwan People's Party, Democratic Progressive Party, Beijing Kuomintang, Kuomintang, KMT, TPP, Rich Western Kentucky University, Smith College, Lightrocket, Chinese Communist Party, Marshall College China, DPP, Chinese Communist Party officials, Taiwan Straits, Western Kentucky University, Supporters Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, China, Taiwan's, Beijing

In 2014, when Lai Ching-te was a rising political star in Taiwan, he visited China and was quizzed in public about the most incendiary issue for leaders in Beijing: his party’s stance on the island’s independence. His polite but firm response, people who know him say, was characteristic of the man who was on Saturday elected president and is now set to lead Taiwan for the next four years. Mr. Lai was addressing professors at the prestigious Fudan University in Shanghai, an audience whose members, like many mainland Chinese, almost certainly believed that the island of Taiwan belongs to China. Mr. Lai said that while his Democratic Progressive Party had historically argued for Taiwan’s independence — a position that China opposes — the party also believed that any change in the island’s status had to be decided by all its people. The party’s position “had been arrived at through a consensus in Taiwanese society,” Mr. Lai said.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, “, ” Mr Organizations: Saturday, Fudan University, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ Taiwan made its choice on who will lead it into an uncertain future as China remains hellbent on controlling it, and tough times may lie ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Read previewTaiwan has elected its new president, the Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te, who is also the current Vice President. While experts still assess that an invasion of Taiwan remains unlikely in the near future, that doesn't diminish concerns about other ways China could squeeze the island. AdvertisementTaiwan's Vice President and presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Lai Ching-te (C) casts his ballot to vote on January 13, 2024, in Tainan, Taiwan. Nevertheless, the win marks the first time a political party in Taiwan has won a presidential election three times in a row. The supporters of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cheer at an election campaign on January 12, 2024 in Tainan, Taiwan.

Persons: —, Party's Lai Ching, Lai's, Lai, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Tsai, Getty Images Lai, Hou, Ko Wen, Amanda Hsiao, Annabelle Chih, Nancy Pelosi, flack, Annice Lyn, He's, Hsiao, Hao, Hou Yu, Beijing's, Chuan Kang, Xi Jinping, It'll, Joe Biden's, Xi, Biden, it's, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI Organizations: Service, Democratic, Taiwan, Business, Democratic Progressive Party, Getty Images, ih, Taiwan's People Party, Kuomintang, KMT, Getty, Washington, NBC, US, People's Liberation Army Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, New Taipei City, AFP, Tainan, Taichung, Taipei , Washington, San Francisco

The Taiwanese presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has for years been reviled by China’s Communist Party as a dangerous foe who, by its account, could drag the two sides into a war by pressing for full independence for his island democracy. Right up to Saturday, when millions of Taiwanese voted for their next president, an official Beijing news outlet warned that Mr. Lai could take Taiwan “on a path of no return.”Yet, despite China’s months of menacing warnings of a “war or peace” choice for Taiwan’s voters, Mr. Lai was victorious. Mr. Lai, currently Taiwan’s vice president, secured 40 percent of the votes in the election, giving his Democratic Progressive Party, or D.P.P., a third term in a row in the presidential office. No party has achieved more than two successive terms since Taiwan began holding direct, democratic elections for its president in 1996. gathering outside its headquarters in Taipei, thousands of supporters, many waving pink and green flags, cheered as Mr. Lai’s lead grew during the counting of the votes, which was displayed on a large screen on an outdoor stage.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Lai’s Organizations: China’s Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Locations: Beijing, Taiwan, Taipei

☆ China skeptic Lai Ching-te wins Taiwan's presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te (left) gestures beside his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on January 13, 2024, after winning the presidential election. The outcome of the presidential election on Saturday riled Beijing, which has repeatedly labeled Lai as a "stubborn worker for Taiwan independence" and a dangerous separatist. Annabelle Chih | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesDPP's Lai — Taiwan's current vice-president — won more than 40% of the popular vote in Taiwan's eighth presidential election. DPP is the first party to win the presidential office three times in row since direct presidential elections were introduced in 1996. This year, 71.9% of all eligible voters cast their ballots for the presidential election, according to preliminary data from Taiwan's Central Election Commission.

Persons: Lai Ching, Hsiao Bi, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Lai, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Annabelle Chih, DPP's Lai, Taiwan's, —, Beijing's, Hou, Ko Wen, Chen Binhua, Chen, Xi Jinping, Antony Blinken, Ko, Wei, Ting Yen Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, AFP, Getty, TAIPEI, Saturday, Beijing, Chinese Communist Party, DPP, KMT, Chinese Communist Party officials, Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, Taiwan People's Party, Taiwan's, Taiwan Affairs Office, State Council, CNBC, Franklin, Marshall College, Taiwan's DPP Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, U.S, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Taiwan —, Republic of China, Xinhua, United States

☆ Taiwan's opposition parties to decide on joint presidential ticket
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

(L-R) Eric Chu, Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) chairman, Hou Yu-ih, KMT presidential candidate, Ma Ying-jeou, former Taiwan president and Ke Wen-je, presidential candidate from the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) pose following a meeting in Taipei on November 15, 2023. The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. Taiwan's two main opposition parties, which have vowed to renew talks with China, agreed on Wednesday to make a decision on a joint presidential ticket for January's elections, as the front-running ruling party decried interference from Beijing. It will unite Taiwan," Hou told business leaders after the talks. Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide their future and has repeatedly offers talks with Beijing, which has rejected the offers.

Persons: Eric Chu, Hou Yu, Ma Ying, Ke Wen, Sam Yeh, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Ko Wen, Hou, Tsai Ing, Chen Yi, Kou, Lai, Chen, Ma, Hsiao Hsu, Hsiao, China detests Lai, Ko, Terry Gou, Gou, TPP Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, ih, Taiwan People's Party, SAM YEH, Getty, Democratic Progressive, Taiwan's Tamkang University, Beijing, DPP, Apple Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, AFP, China, Beijing, U.S, United States

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. It will unite Taiwan," Hou told business leaders after the talks. China cut off routine talks with Taiwan after President Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP took office in 2016. OPPOSITION CHALLENGEChen Yi-fan, an assistant professor of diplomacy and international relations at Taiwan's Tamkang University, said if Hou and Kou did not work together then Lai would certainly win. Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide their future and has repeatedly offers talks with Beijing, which has rejected the offers.

Persons: Eric Chu, Hou Yu, Ma Ying, Ko Wen, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Hou, Tsai Ing, Chen Yi, Kou, Lai, Chen, Ma, Hsiao Hsu, Hsiao, China detests Lai, Ko, Terry Gou, Gou, TPP, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Robert Birsel Organizations: Taiwan's Kuomintang, KMT, ih, Kuomintang, Taiwan People’s, Democratic Progressive, Taiwan People's Party, Taiwan's Tamkang University, Beijing, DPP, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, TAIPEI, China, Beijing, U.S, United States

☆ Foxconn founder Terry Gou lies low in Taiwan election as China tax probe reverberates
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Terry Gou, founder of Taiwan's Foxconn poses for pictures while saluting during a news conference in Taoyuan, Taiwan April 5, 2023. But three months out from the election, Gou, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at $6.7 billion, has gone to ground. China claims Taiwan as its own and believes Lai, who leads opinion polls, is a separatist bent on a formal declaration of independence. Since the Global Times report came out, Gou's team has declined to comment, referring questions to Foxconn itself. Gou remains a lauded figure at Foxconn after stepping down as chairman in 2019, referred to reverentially as "the founder".

Persons: Terry Gou, Taiwan's, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Taiwan's Terry Gou, Gou, Lai Ching, Lai, Steve Jobs, Foxconn, Democratic Progressive Party's, reverentially, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Apple, Forbes, Global Times, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, DPP, Taiwan People's Party, Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, Chicago, Atari, Dell, Sony Corp, Nintendo Co, Microsoft Corp, Communists, Communist Party's, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Foxconn, Beijing, Kuomintang, People's Republic of China

☆ Amid Foxconn probe, China tells Taiwan firms to play positive role in ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Foxconn shareholder poses for photos after the annual shareholder meeting in New Taipei City, Taiwan May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Taiwanese companies should assume their social responsibilities and play a "positive role" in promoting the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, China's government said on Wednesday, amid a probe into major Apple supplier Foxconn. "While sharing development benefits and growth dividends on the mainland and achieving rapid development, Taiwan enterprises should also assume corresponding social responsibilities and play a positive role in promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations." China believes Lai, who is leading opinion polls, is a separatist bent on a formal declaration of independence. "As pointed out by the media on the island, Lai Ching-te has now changing from a Taiwan independence maniac to a Taiwan independence liar," she said.

Persons: Ann Wang, Zhu Fenglian, Zhu, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai, Ben Blanchard, Jacqueline Wong, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Apple, Global Times, Taiwan Affairs Office, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, Beijing, Thomson Locations: New Taipei City, Taiwan, Rights BEIJING, Taiwan Strait, China, Beijing

☆ Foxconn founder Terry Gou says he has reached Taiwan election bid threshold
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Foxconn founder Terry Gou shakes hands with his supporters at one of his signature campaign offices in New Taipei City, Taiwan September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of major Apple supplier Foxconn (2317.TW), said on Friday he had already collected enough electorate signatures to qualify to stand as an independent in January's presidential election. "Your signatures are a responsibility for me, and your signatures are a spur and encouragement to me. Gou, who stepped down as Foxconn chief in 2019, must gather close to 300,000 voter signatures by Nov. 2 to qualify as an independent candidate, according election regulations. The Central Election Commission will review the signatures and announce the results by Nov. 14.

Persons: Terry Gou, Ann Wang, Gou, Democratic Progressive Party's, William Lai, Lai, Ben Blanchard, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Apple, Democratic Progressive Party, Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, Taiwan People's Party, Thomson Locations: New Taipei City, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, Ukraine, China, Banqiao, Taipei, Beijing

☆ Taiwan elects its own leaders so is already independent: presidential frontrunner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai announces his "National Project of Hope" ahead of the upcoming presidential election in Taipei, Taiwan September 6, 2023. In an interview with Japanese media, a transcript of which his campaign team released on Friday, Lai was asked on his position on Taiwan independence. Taiwan regularly elects leaders at all levels of government, right from the grassroots up to the president, Lai said. Therefore, there is no need to declare Taiwan's independence again," he added. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen cannot stand again after two terms in office.

Persons: William Lai, Ann Wang, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: of, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan Affairs Office, Kuomintang, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, Republic of China, People's Republic of China

☆ Taiwan elects its own leaders so it is already independent, presidential frontrunner says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan Vice President and Chairman of ruling Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, William Lai gestures during his speech at the DPP headquarters in Taipei on April 12, 2023. In an interview with Japanese media, a transcript of which his campaign team released on Friday, Lai was asked on his position on Taiwan independence. Taiwan regularly elects leaders at all levels of government, right from the grassroots up to the president, Lai said. If it is not sovereign and independent, how can there be a presidential election? Therefore, there is no need to declare Taiwan's independence again," he added.

Persons: William Lai, Lai Organizations: Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Republic of China

☆ Taiwan Elects Its Own Leaders So Is Already Independent: Presidential Frontrunner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

In an interview with Japanese media, a transcript of which his campaign team released on Friday, Lai was asked on his position on Taiwan independence. Taiwan regularly elects leaders at all levels of government, right from the grassroots up to the president, Lai said. If it is not sovereign and independent, how can there be a presidential election? Therefore, there is no need to declare Taiwan's independence again," he added. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen cannot stand again after two terms in office.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Affairs Office, Kuomintang Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Republic of China, People's Republic of China

☆ Taiwan says China has 'very diverse' ways of interfering in election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Oct 4 (Reuters) - China has "very diverse" ways of interfering in Taiwan's elections in January, from military pressure to spreading fake news, including manipulating opinion polls, a senior Taiwanese security official said on Wednesday. Ahead of elections, Taiwan routinely flags the risk of interference from Beijing, which claims the democratically governed island as its own, saying China seeks to sway the outcome to candidates who may be more favourable toward the country. "The way the Chinese Communists interfere in elections is very diversified," Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen told lawmakers during a parliamentary committee session. China can use military pressure, economic coercion or fake news to create a false choice between "war or peace" in the election, seeking to frighten voters, Tsai said. China has increased military activities around Taiwan since the last election in 2020, and regularly sends warships and fighters into the seas and skies near the island.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Tsai Ming, Tsai, William Lai, Lai, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan National Security, Taiwan Affairs Office, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, Thomson Locations: Rights TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Beijing

☆ Taiwan says China knows armed threats backfire on influencing elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratically governed Taiwan under its control, viewing the island as one of its provinces. In 1996, China lobbed missiles into the Taiwan Strait to try to intimidate the island's voters against voting for Lee Teng-hui as president, who Beijing despised for his perceived pro-independence sympathies. That triggered the so-called Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, in which the U.S. Navy carried out a massive show of force in the strait. Lai has said he does not seek to change the status quo, and has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing. Wu said China was preparing for a possible attack against Taiwan, including how the People's Liberation Army would deal with U.S. intervention.

Persons: Lee Teng, Lee, William Lai, it's, Joseph Wu, Lai, Wu, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: U.S . Navy, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Affairs Office, People's Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Beijing, China, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, Japan, Australia, United States

☆ Fall equinox: Why the first day of fall isn’t as equal as you might think
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

If you reside in the Northern Hemisphere, you know it as the fall equinox (or autumnal equinox). Technically, your location on the globe also determines the local time and even the date you experience the fall equinox. Here are the answers to some fall equinox questions:Where does the word ‘equinox’ come from? From the CNN Fast Facts file: The term equinox comes from the Latin word equinoxium, meaning “equality between day and night.”Precisely when will the fall equinox happen? Ryan K. W. Lai/ShutterstockAll around the world, the fall equinox has weaved its way into our cultures and celebrations.

Persons: There’s, King Mindaugas, Bridge, Mindaugas Kulbis, Louis, what’s, ” Allison Chinchar, ”, ” Chinchar, Chinchar, It’s, Primrose, Aaron Chown, Hagar Qim, Chichén, El Castillo, Jantar, Ryan K, Arif Hudaverdi Yaman Organizations: CNN, Northern, Mexico City, Seattle, NASA, Northern Hemisphere, Autumnal, Coto Japanese Academy, Anadolu Agency, • Locations: Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, King, Vilnius, Lithuania, Montreal, Richmond , Virginia, St, Mexico, Amsterdam, Split, Croatia, Dubai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, Pole, London, United Kingdom, Malta, Yucatán, El, New Delhi, India, Victoria, Great Britain, Japan, Shintoism, Quito, Ecuador, Cairo, Egypt, Helsinki, Finland

☆ China launches drills in angry response to Taiwan vice president's trip to U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. says it's closely monitoring China's drills around Taiwan after Beijing began three days of military exercises around the island. Greg Baker | AFP | Getty ImagesChina launched military drills around Taiwan on Saturday as a "serious warning" to separatist forces in an angry but widely expected response to Vice President William Lai's visit to the United States, drawing condemnation from Taipei. Taiwan's government strongly condemned the drills, with the defense ministry saying it had the ability, determination, and confidence to ensure national security. "The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign country and has a legitimate and legal right to conduct normal diplomatic interactions with friendly countries," it added in a statement, using the island's formal name. Taiwan's defense ministry released a short video of undated footage showing Taiwanese forces at sea, on city streets and across the countryside.

Persons: Greg Baker, William Lai's, Joseph Wu, Joe Biden Organizations: PLA Navy, Beijing, AFP, Getty Images China, Eastern Theatre Command, Mainland Affairs Council, U.S, Taiwan Locations: Taiwan, China's, Fujian, U.S, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Beijing, Republic of China, South Korea, Japan

☆ In Warning to Taiwan, China Announces Military Patrols
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Amy Chang Chien | More About Amy Chang Chien | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China’s military said it would stage “joint combat readiness” patrols around Taiwan on Saturday, sending a warning gesture to the island democracy soon after a leading candidate in Taiwan’s presidential election finished an overseas trip that Beijing had denounced. Vice President Lai Ching-te, the candidate, had flown to Paraguay — one of 13 states that keeps diplomatic relations with Taipei, and not Beijing — making stops in the United States on his way there and back. The Chinese government is trying to curtail the international activities of Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory. It especially objects to Taiwanese leaders’ visits to the United States, the island’s most important political and military supporter. He is the presidential candidate of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which favors asserting Taiwan’s distinctive identity and sovereignty — a position that Beijing condemns as threatening its claim to the island.

Persons: Lai Ching, ’, Lai’s, Taiwan’s, Lai, Shi Yi Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Eastern Theater, People’s Liberation Army Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, Paraguay, Taipei, United States

☆ Taiwan sees no Chinese military response to VP's US trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Yimou Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoTAIPEI, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday it has not seen large-scale exercises or any other action by the Chinese military near the island after China condemned a brief U.S. visit by Taiwan Vice President William Lai. When asked at a press conference about Chinese military activity in response to Lai's trip, defence ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang, said it was the responsibility of the armed forces to track any Chinese activities near Taiwan. However, Taiwan had not seen any "relatively large-scale" drills or actions by China's military, he said. Beijing has launched almost daily military incursions into Taiwan's air defence zone in recent years seeking to pressure Taipei to accept Chinese sovereignty. Both Taiwan and the United States are aiming for Lai's U.S. stop-overs to be as low-key as possible, saying that such transits are routine.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, William Lai, Lai, Sun Li, Sun, Su, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Taiwan Premier Chen Chien, jen, Chen, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Taiwan, Lai's U.S, U.S, Chinese Communist Party, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, U.S, William Lai . China, Paraguay, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, San Francisco, California, United States, New York, Taiwan Premier, Lai's

☆ Taiwan vice president to leave for sensitive trip to U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's William Lai speaks during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Taipei on September 5, 2017. Taiwan Vice President William Lai leaves on Saturday for a sensitive trip to the United States, which China has condemned and Taiwanese officials fear could prompt more Chinese military activity around the democratically governed island. Lai, the front-runner to become Taiwan's president in elections in January, is officially making only transit stops in the United States on his way to and from Paraguay for the swearing in of its president. Neither Taiwan nor the United States have given exact details about his U.S. schedule. Lai went to Honduras last year for the inauguration of its president and had a brief though symbolic chat while there with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Laura Rosenberger, Kamala Harris Organizations: Taiwan, American Institute, AIT, U.S Locations: Taipei, United States, China, Lai, Paraguay, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, New York, Virginia, U.S, San Francisco, Honduras

☆ Taiwan vice president to leave for sensitive trip to United States
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan Vice President William Lai leaves on Saturday for a sensitive trip to the United States, which China has condemned and Taiwanese officials fear could prompt more Chinese military activity around the democratically governed island. Lai, the front-runner to become Taiwan's president in elections in January, is officially making only transit stops in the United States on his way to and from Paraguay for the swearing in of its president. Beijing particularly dislikes Lai, who has in the past described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". Neither Taiwan nor the United States have given exact details about his U.S. schedule. Lai went to Honduras last year for the inauguration of its president and had a brief though symbolic chat while there with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Laura Rosenberger, Kamala Harris, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, William Mallard Organizations: Taiwan, American Institute, AIT, U.S, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, United States, China, Lai, Paraguay, Taipei, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, New York, Virginia, U.S, San Francisco, Honduras

Vice President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan rose to prominence as a pugnacious opponent of Beijing’s claims over the island. But now, as a leading candidate in Taiwan’s presidential race, he is likely to present a more muted persona when he visits the United States starting Saturday. Expect restraint, not rousing speeches, Taiwanese officials and scholars say. Nonetheless, his stops in New York and San Francisco will be closely watched — in Taiwan, in Beijing and in Washington — for clues to how he might handle crucial relations with the United States and China as president, a top issue in Taiwan’s intense presidential race. And his visit, however low-key, is also likely to prompt an escalation of Chinese military flights and naval maneuvers near Taiwan, bringing into focus the risks of real conflict over its future.

Persons: Lai Ching, Beijing’s, Washington —, there’s, ”, Shu Hsiao, huang, ” Mr, Lai, William Organizations: United States, People’s Liberation Army, Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taiwan, New York, San Francisco, Beijing, Washington, United States, China, Taipei

☆ Taiwan vice president leaves on sensitive trip to United States
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Fabian Hamacher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Taiwan's Vice President William Lai arrives at Taoyuan International Airport before his departure to the United States for a stopover in New York on his way to Paraguay, in Taoyuan, Taiwan August 12, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia RawlinsTAOYUAN, Taiwan, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan Vice President William Lai left on Saturday for a sensitive trip to the United States, which China has condemned and Taiwanese officials fear could prompt more Chinese military activity around the democratically governed island. Lai, the front-runner to become Taiwan's president in elections in January, is officially making only transit stops in the United States on his way to and from Paraguay for the swearing in of its president. The United States has not announced who may be going to Paraguay next week. Neither Taiwan nor the United States has given exact details about his U.S. schedule, and both are aiming to keep that part low key, according to officials briefed on the trip.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Kamala Harris, Laura Rosenberger, Fabian Hamcher, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: Taoyuan International Airport, REUTERS, Taiwan, U.S, United, American Institute, AIT, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, United States, New York, Paraguay, Taiwan, Carlos Garcia Rawlins TAOYUAN, China, Lai, Taipei, Washington, Beijing, U.S, Honduras, Virginia, San Francisco

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