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☆ Taiwan's political disrupter could be kingmaker in a split parliament. Here's why it matters
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks during an interview in New Taipei City on December 12, 2023. He urged his disappointed young supporters, some of them crying, not to give up, and framed himself as a one-man social movement crusading for political change. Since this social movement has not fully materialized, let's keep working hard," the former Taipei City Mayor told supporters in Mandarin. That kind of populist messaging appeals to people who feel like Taiwan's current economic and political system is not benefiting them. Taiwan's young and restlessIn any case, Taiwan's two major parties now face a battle to cater to younger voters that could come at the expense of older votes or a focus on broader strategic interests.

Persons: Ko Wen, Cheng, we'll, Ko, let's, Wei, Ting Yen, Sara Newland, Taiwan's, Newland, Lai Ching, Taiwan People's Party —, —, Yuan, Beijing's, Tsai Ing, Annice Lyn, Xi Jinping, Lily, Hwa CHENG, HWA CHENG, Ho Organizations: Taiwan People's Party, AFP, Getty, TAIPEI, Taipei City Mayor, Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, Franklin, Marshall College, CNBC, Sara Newland Smith, Ko's, Taipei, KMT, Smith College, National Taiwan University, Democratic, Chinese Communist Party, HWA, Afp, Sunflower Movement Locations: Taiwan, New Taipei City, China, Taipei, Xinzhuang, AFP

☆ 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

☆ Vote counting begins in closely watched Taiwan election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

With China intensifying its rhetoric on its claim over Taiwan, global observers are billing this Taiwan election as highly pivotal for security in the Asia-Pacific at a time of testy U.S.-China relations. If Lai and Hsiao win the Jan. 13 vote for the Taiwan presidential office, it would mark the first time any political party has stayed in office for more than two consecutive terms since Taiwan introduced direct presidential elections in 1996. Campaign posters for various legislative member candidates in Taipei, Taiwan, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. China's Taiwan affairs office has characterized the self-ruled island's election as a choice between "peace and war, prosperity and decline." "China has always meddled whenever there is an election in Taiwan, but this time, it's the most serious."

Persons: Hou Yu, Hei Leung, Ko Wen, policymaking, Tsai Ing, Ko, Cynthia Wu, Jing Bo, jiun, Sam Yeh, Jing, Tsai, Lai Ching, Hsiao, United States —, Lai, Timothy S, Rich, Jaw Shaw, kong, Hou, Kevin Luo, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Rong Xu, Democratic Progressive Party Lai Ching, Yasuyoshi Chiba, DPP's Lai, Weeks Organizations: ih, Anadolu, Getty, Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, Taiwan People's Party, China, Local, KMT, Taiwan Studies, University of Oxford, AFP, Taiwan, Rich Western Kentucky University, Taiwan's National Police Agency, New, DPP, University of Minnesota, Western Kentucky University, U.S, China -, APEC, CNBC, Former U.S, Bloomberg, Taiwan's DPP, Beijing, Cross Straits Service Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Taipei, Asia, Pacific, U.S, China, Hsinchu, United States, Overconfidence, New Taipei City, China - U.S, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, Kaohsiung

☆ Terry Gou, the founder of iPhone maker Foxconn, drops out of Taiwan's presidential election race
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Foxconn founder Terry Gou has withdrawn from Taiwan's presidential race. AdvertisementTerry Gou, the founder of Foxconn – Apple's main manufacturer of iPhones – has dropped out of Taiwan's presidential race. Taiwan's presidential race is closely watched because China claims the self-ruled island — a semiconductor powerhouse — as its own territory. The more opposition candidates there are, the more these votes could be split against the ruling party to ensure Lai's win. Other presidential candidates in the island's presidential race are DPP's Lai, KMT's Hou Yu-ih, and former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People's Party.

Persons: Terry Gou, Gou, —, Foxconn, –, William Lai, Xi Jinping, Lai, Beijing wouldn't, Tammy Lai, KMT's Hou Yu, Ko Wen Organizations: Service, Democratic Progressive Party, Nvidia, Kuomintang, ih, Taiwan People's Party Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei

TAIPEI, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of tech giant Foxconn (2317.TW), on Friday withdrew from the race to be Taiwan's next president, bringing a sense of relief to the major Apple (AAPL.O) supplier and iPhone manufacturer, sources said. Complete the change of power and change Taiwan," Gou said. Despite a massive advertising campaign, which saw his face plastered across Taiwan, Gou consistently polled far behind his rivals. Although Gou stepped down as Foxconn chief in 2019 and resigned as a board member in early September, he remained the company's largest shareholder. "It's a sigh of relief," said one of the sources, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Persons: Terry Gou, Gou, Hou Yu, Ko Wen, Ko, Lai Ching, Foxconn, Young Liu, TPP, Tammy Lai, Lai, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Sarah Wu, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Apple, Democratic Progressive Party, ih, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Facebook, Global Times, Reuters, Netflix, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, Taipei, Beijing

☆ Taiwan opposition talks deadlocked, with no signs of compromise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. China has stepped up military and political pressure, including high-profile war games, to press the island to accept the sovereignty claims that Taiwan rejects. The parties on Saturday failed to reach agreement on how to interpret opinion polls and thus decide on who will stand for which position. China detests frontrunner Lai, regarding him as a separatist, and has rebuffed repeated calls from him for talks. Hou especially has vowed to renew dialogue with Beijing, and says Lai is a dangerous supporter of Taiwan independence.

Persons: Ko Wen, je, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Hou Yu, Eric Chu, Lai, Hou, Ko, Hsiao, Ben Blanchard, Tom Hogue Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Democratic Progressive, ih, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing, United States

☆ Clock ticking as Taiwan opposition bicker over joint presidency bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. China has stepped up military and political pressure, including high-profile war games, to press the island to accept its sovereignty claim, which Taiwan rejects. But both parties failed to reach agreement on how to interpret opinion polls and thus decide who will stand for what position by an originally scheduled deadline of Saturday. China detests frontrunner Lai, regarding him as a separatist, and has rebuffed repeated calls from him for talks. Hou especially has vowed to renew dialogue with Beijing, and says Lai is a dangerous supporter of Taiwan independence.

Persons: Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Hou Yu, Ko, Lai, Hou, Hsiao, Eric Chu, Tsai Ing, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard, Kim Coghill Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Democratic Progressive, ih, Former Taipei, DPP, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, Chiayi

☆ Taiwan Opposition Parties Unite Against Presidential Candidate China Sees as Threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Joyu Wang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A deal between two Taiwan opposition parties is expected to bolster their chances against Vice President Lai Ching-te, a leading candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Photo: sam yeh/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesTAIPEI—Taiwan’s two largest opposition parties reached a deal to collaborate in a pivotal election scheduled for early January that has major ramifications for Taiwan’s future and U.S.-China relations. Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party, which favors closer relations with Beijing, said it would work with a third party founded by a former Taipei mayor to run jointly for the 2024 elections. The long-anticipated deal is expected to bolster the opposition’s chances against Vice President Lai Ching-te, a leading candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which has forged tighter ties with the U.S., and is currently leading in the polls.

Persons: Lai Ching Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Agence France, Getty, TAIPEI —, Nationalist Party, U.S Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei

☆ China's crackdown on Foxconn, one of Apple's biggest suppliers, shows Beijing is willing to sacrifice its economy for political power
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

China has launched investigations into Taiwan's Foxconn over its land use in mainland China. AdvertisementAdvertisementEven Foxconn, China's largest private-sector employer, isn't immune from Beijing's whims. Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, is a huge contributor to China's employment and economic growth. Given how important Foxconn is to China's economy, it's a sign that Beijing is willing to make some sacrifices in its economy for political reasons, Liu said. China's economy is in tattersChina's economy has struggled to recover after nearly three years of on-off COVID-19 lockdowns.

Persons: —, Terry Gou, Foxconn, William Lai, KMT's Hou Yu, Ko Wen, Anna Ashton, Lai, China —, Gabriel Wildau, Zhu Fenglian, Dongshu Liu, Liu, they've, Insider's Linette Lopez, Xi, Lee Miller, Lopez, Liu Pengyu Organizations: Service, Hai Precision Industry, Apple, Democratic Progressive Party, ih, Taiwan People's Party, Eurasia Group, Gzero Media, KMT, Teneo Holdings, Bloomberg, Foxconn, Taiwan Affairs Office, City University of Hong, WPP, DC Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan —, Taiwan, Taipei, New York, City University of Hong Kong, tatters, Washington, Foxconn

☆ Who is running to be Taiwan's next president?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Here is a list of the candidates standing for president and their positions on relations with China:LAI CHING-TELai, also known by his English name William, is running for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Currently Taiwan's vice president, he is also the DPP's chairman, and has consistently led opinion polls. Lai, along with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, have repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed, as Beijing views them both as separatists. Lai and Tsai say only Taiwan's people can decide their future. He was re-elected in a landslide last year but has generally been running third in presidential election opinion polls.

Persons: LAI CHING, TE Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Tsai, HOU, Hou, Mao Zedong's, KO WEN, JE Ko, Ko, TERRY GOU Gou, Gou, Ben Blanchard, Sonali Paul Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's, Kuomintang, KMT, New, Beijing, Taiwan People's Party, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei's, New Taipei, Taipei, U.S

☆ Terry Gou, seeking Taiwan presidency, resigns as Foxconn board member
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Terry Gou, Foxconn founder announces his bid for the Taiwan presidency during a press event in Taipei, Taiwan August 28, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of major Apple (AAPL.O) supplier Foxconn (2317.TW), resigned as a company board member, the Taiwanese company said on Saturday, less than a week after announcing a bid to be the island's next president. In a brief statement, Foxconn said Gou had resigned due to "personal reasons", and noted he had "officially handed over leadership of the group to a professional manager four yearsago". Asked on Monday about the issue of conflict of interest with Gou being a major shareholder of Foxconn, which has massive investment in China, Gou said he's willing to "sacrifice" his personal assets in China in the event of a Chinese attack. The DPP-led government, and Lai, have repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed, as Beijing views them as separatists.

Persons: Terry Gou, Ann Wang, Gou, Foxconn, Democratic Progressive Party's, William Lai, Lai, Ko Wen, Hou Yu, it's, Ben Blanchard, John Stonestreet, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Apple, Democratic Progressive, DPP, Taiwan People's Party, ih, Kuomintang, Formosa TV, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Rights TAIPEI, Foxconn, China, People's Republic of China, Beijing

People represent different countries during seminars on conflict scenarios with China, organised for youth by the Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Taipei, Taiwan May 21, 2023. Younger voters are again playing a role - but this time they are gravitating to dark horse candidate who has become the DPP's closest challenger. Ko Wen-je, a 64-year-old former Taipei mayor, has won over many younger voters with plain talk on issues such as high housing costs rather than focusing on the China threat. Some younger voters may show their hands late, so Ko's appeal to that demographic could close the gap with Lai. Although it may have a healthy lead in opinion polls, the DPP is acutely aware of the dangers of losing younger voters.

Persons: Ann Wang, Tsai Ing, William Lai, Ko Wen, Ko, Lai, Terry Guo, Chen Kuang, Chen, Hou Yu, Mao Zedong's, Ho Chih, yung, Ho, Zheng De, Zheng, Sarah Wu, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, John Geddie, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, REUTERS, Rights, United States, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan People's Party, Taiwanese Public, DPP, Apple, Chung Cheng, Taiwan's, ih, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, Beijing, United, Hong Kong, Lai, Chung Cheng University

Beijing has staged multiple military drills around the island in recent years, drawing condemnation from the United States and its allies. Before he announced his bid to run on Monday, Gou earlier this year sought the candidacy for the opposition KMT, which advocates for friendlier relations with Beijing. The KMT has not disguised its anger at Gou's entry into the race for president, seeing his move as opening the way to a victory for the DPP's Lai by splitting the opposition vote. Most recent polls put the DPP's Lai on around 35-40% of the vote, around 10 percentage points clear of his closest rival. To qualify as an independent, he has to collect close to 300,000 voter signatures by Nov. 2, according to election regulations.

Persons: Foxconn, Terry Gou's, Gou, William Lai, Hou Yu, Hou, Eric Chu, Ko Wen, Ko's TPP, Lai, Ko, Chen Shui, Wang Ting, There's, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, John Geddie, Michael Perry Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, Democratic Progressive Party, Apple, DPP, New, ih, Taiwan People's Party, Reuters, Facebook, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, Taipei, Beijing, United States, New Taipei City, Taiwan

☆ US trip pays off for Taiwan VP with China drills more 'thunder than rain'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China has a particular dislike of Lai, the frontrunner in polls ahead of January's presidential election, due to his previous comments about being a "worker for Taiwan independence". In his public events he talked about peace and dialogue, though he also said that Taiwan would not back down in the face of threats. "These drills were a lot of thunder, but less rain." 'NO SURPRISES'Lo Chih-cheng, a senior lawmaker for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said Lai's trip was also about the broader process of showing him to the United States as a steady and trustworthy leader. China could take other, trade-related, steps to punish Taiwan, having previously stopped Taiwanese fruit and fish imports.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Ma Chen, Shen Dingli, Lai Ching, Lo Chih, cheng, Lo, Ko Wen, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, U.S, Liberation Army, National Defence University, United States, Relations, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwanese Public, National Taiwan Normal University's Graduate, of Political, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, U.S, United, Shanghai, Taipei, Beijing, Washington, Asia

Kinmen, Taiwan CNN —As the sun sets over Taiwan’s Kinmen islands, the neon lights of mainland China dazzle in the distance just 2.5 miles away. That lingering potential for invasion might make it seem like an unlikely place to construct a bridge to mainland China. Anti-invasion spikes along the coast of Taiwan's Kinmen islands. During a recent trip to Kinmen, Taiwan Vice President and DPP presidential candidate William Lai said he recognized the sacrifices of the islanders during decades of conflict. “The Taiwanese government looks at the Chinese military threat as something that cannot be accepted and we condemn it,” he added.

Persons: John Mees, Ko Wen, ”, Xi Jinping, Ho Chih, Sam Yeh, Kinmen, Yang Chien, ” Yang, “, Yang, Yang Pei, Huang Li, cheng, Tsai Ing, William Lai, Wu Chia, chiang, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, Joseph Wu, ” Wu, Maestro Wu Tseng, Maestro Wu Organizations: Taiwan CNN —, Communist, People’s Liberation Army, CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s Presidential, Mainland Affairs Council, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Mainland Affairs, Russo, Getty, Communist China's, Tourism Association, Communist Party, Xi, United States, Taiwan’s, Taiwan Locations: Kinmen, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Taiwan’s, Xiamen –, Xiamen, Chinese, Ukrainian, Russia, Taiwan's, AFP, Jinsha, “, Fujian, California, Beijing’s

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