Lai administration

DPP Pushes for Increase in Defense Spending Using Extra Tax Revenue, as KMT Calls for Cash Handouts

Brian Hioe
Taiwan reported record-high tax revenue for 2024, with 3.73 trillion NT in taxes collected. This is a larger windfall than expected, in that there were 497.2 billion NT more in taxes than budgeted for by the government. The extra revenue is due to strong exports, as well as stock gains because of market enthusiasm about artificial intelligence...
EnglishFebruary 2025InternationalPoliticsRegional Tensions4 min read

What Does the Election Mean for Taiwan’s Engagement with the Asia Pacfic Region?

Raian Hossain
Now that the election results are in, the period of intense suspense and electoral speculation has concluded. The issue of cross-strait relations remains unresolved, as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) insists that the Republic of China (ROC), often known as Taiwan, is a separatist province of the mainland and aims for reunification. For the first time in history, Taiwan has re-elected the same political party to govern the democratic island for a third consecutive term. The election of Lai Ching-te on Saturday signifies a strong counter to the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) forceful stance and intimidation tactics towards the island. The primary challenge now is how Lai’s new government will maintain its relations with Beijing and navigate the complex triangular dynamics of the US, China, and Taiwan...
EnglishJanuary 2024Politics10 min read

Labor Groups Push the Government on Policy, Ahead of the Lai Inauguration

Brian Hioe
A number of union groups demonstrated last week to call for inclusion in talks over the new incoming government’s labor policy. This included among Taiwan’s largest coalitions of organized labor groups. The demonstration was fronted by the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions, which protested alongside the Kaohsiung City Confederation of Trade Unions, National Federation of Teachers Unions, Taipei Federation of Trade Unions, and Taiwan Federation of Financial Unions...
EnglishJanuary 2024Politics5 min read