Published since 2019 by the Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations, Taiwan Weekly provides in-depth report and analysis of the major issues facing Taiwan.
Two Lessons South Korean Election Teaches Taiwan
Lee Jae-myung of South Korea’s Democratic Party won the presidential election with 49.42 percent of the vote, defeating Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party, who received 41.15 percent. He assumed office immediately. On the surface, it seemed like voters were shifting from the conservatives to the liberals; in reality, it was a collective backlash against former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Mr. Yoon’s chaotic imposition of martial law led to months of governmental disorder and economic downturn. Even Acting President Han Duck-soo and his designated successor, Choi Sang-mok, were impeached one after another, leaving Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho to assume both roles. In this leaderless state, South Korea struggled to cope with U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war, fueling public discontent.
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DPP Manipulates "Transitional Justice," Provokes Public Backlash
The Ministry of the Interior’s plan to rename all “Zhongzheng roads” (which refer to the late President Chiang Kai-shek) has met strong resistance from local governments, citing it as wasteful and burdensome. More than 70 percent of the public also do not support the initiative. Unexpectedly, Minister Liu Shih-fang invoked the “Act on Promoting Transitional Justice,” insisting that removing authoritarian symbols is the government’s duty and must be implemented. Her stance reveals three major blind spots. First, she seems to regard the transitional justice act as an unlimited buffet pass for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Second, she is blind to public opinion. Third, while the administration of President Lai Ching-te has already begun emulating authoritarian rule, she still dares to speak of transitional justice.
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Huang Backs Nuclear Power in Taiwan, Criticized by DPP Supporters as Pro-China
When NVIDIA chief executive Jensen Huang said that “Taiwan should invest in nuclear power,” it set off a firestorm. Online criticism and smearing erupted. For someone as seasoned as Huang to appear unaware of a certain sensitive “local sentiment” in Taiwan made him seem like a political novice.
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U.S.-Taiwan Tariff Negotiations Yet to Be Settled, NT Dollar Still Appreciated Significantly
Without surprise, the New Taiwan dollar broke into the NT$29 per U.S. dollar territory on May 26. Unlike the aggressive rally seen in early May that made currency markets a nationwide focus and even triggered a rush to exchange foreign currency, this time the appreciation felt like a "smooth entry"—with low trading volume, no desperate intervention by the central bank, and minimal public attention, as if everyone had long accepted this outcome. Behind it lies not only a weakening U.S. dollar globally, but also Taiwan's awkward position as it strives to engage in trade talks with the United States.
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Chu Looks Forward to Passing the Baton: Who Will Take Over the KMT Leadership？
In a media interview, Chairman Eric Chu of the Kuomintang (KMT) stated that the schedule for the party chair election will remain unchanged, with the announcement in July, the election in September, and the handover in October. “I sincerely hope for a smooth transition,” he said. Chu also noted that the four outstanding mayors of directly governed municipalities within the party are exceptional talents and key figures in future leadership contests.
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President Lai Promotes Sovereign Wealth Fund to "Make America Great Again"
On the first anniversary of his inauguration, President Lai Ching-te suddenly announced plans to establish a Taiwanese sovereign wealth fund—a national-level investment platform. While the idea of a sovereign wealth fund has circulated in Taiwan for years, President Lai’s directive now gives it a tangible start. However, the motivations and considerations behind his move are thought-provoking.
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President Lai's First Anniversary Speech Did Not Mention Cross-Strait Relations
Cross-Strait relations have a profound impact on the development of the Republic of China (Taiwan). No national leader should omit such a significant issue from a vital address. As the saying goes, "There's a reason behind everything," and this omission deserves careful scrutiny.
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With 92％ Thermal Power, Nuclear-Free Policy Has Turned Taiwan into Pollution-Plagued Island
Following the decommissioning of the No. 2 reactor at the Third Nuclear Power Plant, the country has formally entered a new era of the “nuclear-free homeland” policy. While politically symbolic, this shift has also exposed deep concerns about Taiwan’s energy reality: increased pressure on fossil fuel plants, worsening air pollution, rising electricity prices, and heightened risks for industrial electricity usage. The nation’s energy transition now faces a severe challenge.
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President Lai's First Anniversary: Approval Ratings Plummet
President Lai Ching-te will mark his first anniversary in office on May 20. According to the latest poll released by the TVBS Poll Center on May 15, only 32 percent of respondents are satisfied with President Lai’s performance over the past year, while 55 percent are dissatisfied, and 13 percent expressed no opinion. Meanwhile, 38 percent of the public said they trust President Lai, compared to 55 percent who do not. Confidence in his future governance has also declined, with only 38 percent expressing confidence—a record low—while those lacking confidence rose to 57 percent, the highest to date.
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President Lai's Domestic and Foreign Media Interviews Contradictory
As President Lai Ching-te approaches his first anniversary in office, he has recently given a series of interviews to both domestic and international media to outline his key policies on economic affairs, diplomacy, and cross-strait relations. These interviews—including one published by Wealth magazine on May 7 and another by Nikkei on May 13—clearly aim to review his administration’s performance over the past year and set the tone for future policy direction. Paradoxically, however, President Lai's statements on Taiwan’s economic and industrial strategies differ significantly between the two interviews.
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