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60-1205: Lai Ching-te ( DPP ) Hsiao Bi-khim ( DPP ) Cho Jung-tai ( DPP ) 11th Legislative Yuan Han Kuo-yu ( KMT ) Shieh Ming-yan acting Vacant Vacant Vacant Control Yuan Chen Chu Lee Hung-chun Local government Central Election Commission Kuomintang Democratic Progressive Party Taiwan People's Party Others New Power Party Taiwan Statebuilding Party People First Party Taiwan Solidarity Union New Party Non-Partisan Solidarity Union Newspapers United Daily News Liberty Times China Times Taipei Times Propaganda Censorship Film censorship Lin Chia-lung Cross-Strait relations Special state-to-state relations One Country on Each Side 1992 Consensus Taiwan consensus Chinese Taipei Australia–Taiwan relations Canada–Taiwan relations France–Taiwan relations Russia–Taiwan relations Taiwan–United Kingdom relations Taiwan–United States relations Republic of China (1912–1949) Chinese Civil War One-China policy China and

120-695: A Doctor of Medicine (MD). After graduating from medical school, Lai went to the United States to study at the Harvard School of Public Health for a Master of Public Health , followed by an internship at National Cheng Kung University Hospital . He became an expert on spinal cord damage and served as a national consultant for such injuries. After serving as part of the support team for Chen Ding-nan 's unsuccessful electoral bid for Governor of Taiwan Province in 1994, Lai decided to enter politics himself. The next opportunity for election to

180-483: A few miles to the southeast. Wuqiu Township was originally part of Putian County with many of its residents emigrating from the county. After the end of Chinese Civil War in 1949, Wuqiu became disconnected from Putian. Control of Ockseu and other insular areas was shared between the KMT and anti-Communist guerrillas. In June 1954, the township was provisionally reassigned to Kinmen (Quemoy) County. In 1954, Wuchiu

240-491: A formal complaint against the Premier for sedition . In October 2017, it was reported that Lai had garnered the approval of 68.8 percent of respondents in a survey, while 23 percent expressed dissatisfaction. However, critics say that his popularity may not last, due to his rapid reversal of his position on the issue of Taiwanese independence. However, on 20 October, in response to General Secretary Xi Jinping 's comments on

300-594: A legislator, and was selected as Taiwan's "Best Legislator" four times in a row by Taipei -based NGO Citizen Congress Watch. With the 2010 reorganization of the municipalities in Taiwan, Tainan City and Tainan County were amalgamated into a single municipality, called Tainan . After successfully being selected in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) primaries in January 2010, Lai stood as

360-566: A national body was the 1996 National Assembly , with Lai winning a seat representing Tainan City. Lai then joined the New Tide faction and stood as a candidate in the 1998 Legislative Yuan election , representing the Democratic Progressive Party in the second ward of Tainan City. He was successful in this election, and subsequently was reelected three times in 2001 , 2004 , and 2008 . In total he served 11 years as

420-637: A small Taiwan-held island. The most likely target was Wuchiu, then garrisoned by 500 soldiers. The outlying islands were placed on high alert. In 1998, Zero Chou produced a documentary about the islands called Yi Shi Zai Hai Xia Zhong ("Lost in the Strait") (Chinese: 遺失在海峽中：烏坵, 48 mins). On December 26, 2001, President Chen Shui-bian visited Wuqiu and delivered remarks. Chen was the first president to visit Wuqiu during their presidency. In 2012, Wuqiu, along with Daren Township in Taitung County ,

480-853: A total area of 1.2 km , not to be confused with two islets Daqiu Island ( Chinese : 大坵島 ; pinyin : Dàqiū dǎo ) and Xiaoqiu Island ( Chinese : 小坵島 ; pinyin : Xiǎoqiū dǎo ) lying off the north coast off Beigan in the Matsu Islands (Lienchiang County). The islands are considered a basepoint of the Chinese territorial sea by the PRC. Greater Qiu Islet lies 9 nautical miles (17 km) from Luci Island (Lusi Island), 12 nmi (22 km) from Nanri Island , and 18 nmi (33 km) from Meizhou Island , all in Xiuyu District of Putian , Fujian , China (PRC). It

540-459: Is a Taiwanese politician and former physician who is currently serving as the 8th president of the Republic of China ( Taiwan ) since May 2024. He is the third member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to assume the office of president and the first whose predecessor was also a DPP member. He is also the third incumbent vice president to succeed to the presidency and the first to assume

600-563: Is distant from other territory in Taiwan (ROC) being 72 nmi (133 km) from Kinmen , 86 nmi (159 km) from Nangan in the Matsu Islands, and 73 nmi (135 km) from Port of Taichung on Taiwan. Wuqiu township is made up of two rural villages : 113 residents of Wuqiu participated in the 2020 Taiwanese presidential election . The Wuqiu Islands Garrison Command ( 烏坵守備大隊 - Wūqiū Shǒubèi Dàduì ) defends

660-555: The 1996 Legislative Yuan election , winning a seat representing Tainan City . After being re-elected to the Legislative Yuan four consecutive times, Lai ran for Mayor of Tainan in 2010 . Lai won and served as mayor for seven years, winning reelection in 2014 . In September 2017, President Tsai Ing-wen announced Lai would replace outgoing premier Lin Chuan . On 24 November 2018, Lai announced his intention to resign from

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720-685: The Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area defines as "the territory of the Republic of China outside the Taiwan Area". However, on more practical grounds, the "mainland area" refers simply to Mainland China . In addition, there are two other Acts defining other "areas": the " Hong Kong and Macau Area" ( Chinese : 港澳地區 ). The hand-over of these former European colonies to

780-481: The Additional articles of the Republic of China constitution took effect to end temporary anti-communist provisions on 1 May 1991. The term is also used in the 1992 Cross-Strait Act . The area currently under the definition consists of the island groups of Taiwan , Penghu , Kinmen , Matsu and some minor islands . The collective term " Tai-Peng-Kin-Ma " is literally equivalent except that it only refers to

840-523: The Central Election Commission along with his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim . Lai claimed victory on 13 January 2024, marking the first time that a political party had won three consecutive presidential terms since direct elections were first held in 1996 . On 13 January 2024, Lai was elected president of the Republic of China with approximately 40% of the vote, and was inaugurated on 20 May 2024. Under Lai, Taiwan continued

900-524: The Kuomintang government retreated to Taiwan and selected Taipei to serve as the provisional capital of the Republic of China. Mainland China was officially considered to be in a state of " Communist Rebellion ", also known as "Communist China" or "Red China", and furthermore all territories still under Nationalist administration were said to constitute the "Free Area" of China, also known as "Nationalist China" or "Free China". This period of mobilization

960-669: The 1980s and 1990s, there were demands, particularly by the Tangwai movement and other groups opposed to one-party authoritarian KMT rule, to restructure the ROC government, long dominated by mainlanders , to be more representative of the Taiwanese people it governed. For example, until 1991, members of the National Assembly and Legislative Yuan elected in 1948 to serve mainland constituencies remained in their posts indefinitely and

1020-537: The 1991 revisions of the Constitution granted the sovereignty rights to the Taiwanese people , it did not explicitly name Taiwan and instead used the term "free area" to maintain the notion that the Republic of China encompassed more than Taiwan. In ordinary legislation, the term "Taiwan Area" is usually used, especially in contexts of trade and exchange. In contrast to the "free area" is the "mainland area", which

1080-442: The 2020 election. In November 2019, Lai accepted president Tsai Ing-wen's offer to become her running mate for the 2020 presidential election . Tsai secured over 57% of the ballot, winning a record 8.17 million votes in the election and began her second term in 2020. During his vice presidency, Lai served as president Tsai Ing-wen's special envoy to Honduras for president Xiomara Castro 's inauguration in January 2022. After

1140-478: The DPP candidate for the mayoral election on 27 November 2010, gaining 60.41% to defeat Kuomintang candidate Kuo Tien-tsai. He took office on 25 December 2010. As a result of his strong showing in the mayoral election coupled with his relative youth and his control of the DPP heartland city of Tainan, Lai was considered to be a potential candidate for a presidential run in 2016. In 2013 an opinion poll ranked Lai as

1200-519: The DPP stronghold that she rode a black horse through the streets of Tainan as an election stunt; a hopeful allusion to her status as a "dark horse". Lai, on the other hand, did not plan many campaign activities, choosing to focus on mayoral duties. He eventually won the election by 45 percentage points, the largest margin of victory in any of the municipal races in the election. Lai stepped down as Mayor in September 2017, after being appointed to

1260-672: The Nationalists." Once the War Affairs Committee was founded in July 1956, strong and complete foundation for war affairs was built in the township. In February 1957, the British cargo ship Hydralock ran aground off Ockseu Island. All 31 crew abandoned ship, but then disappeared. They were later discovered safe on Haitan Island . In the summer of 1965, then- Minister of National Defense Chiang Ching-kuo visited

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1320-407: The PRC government, which are used in official statements, news reports, and press releases, etc., to serve this purpose. Among them, the terms "Taiwan area" or "Taiwan authority" ( 台湾当局 ) are commonly used to replace "Republic of China" or "Taiwan" (because mentioning only "Taiwan" but not "Taiwan area" or " Taiwan Province " would give an impression that Taiwan is an independent country). For example,

1380-652: The PRC) and Taiping Islands (assigned to Kaoshiung by ROC, and to Sansha and Hainan by PRC). In 2017 Xinhua News Agency issued guidelines mandating no scare quotes for all members of local governments of Taiwan authorities (except Fujian and Lienchiang ) and preferring the term "Taiwan Area" over the term " Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China ", since the latter does not include the Kinmen and Matsu islands . Lai Ching-te Lai Ching-te ( Chinese : 賴清德 ; born 6 October 1959), also known as William Lai ,

1440-549: The People's Republic of China necessitated laws governing the relations of the Taiwan Area with them. The Acts are worded in a manner to avoid discussing whether the Republic of China claims sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macau . Based on the One China policy, the People's Republic of China (PRC) does not recognize the legitimacy of the ROC. A series of standardized terms called "Taiwan-related terms" ( 涉台用语 ) were invented by

1500-485: The Premiership. He was succeeded in acting capacity by Lee Meng-yen . In September 2017, Premier Lin Chuan tendered his resignation to President Tsai Ing-wen , which was reluctantly accepted. A recent poll showed Lin's approval rating to be a mere 28.7%, with 6 in 10 respondents dissatisfied with the performance of his cabinet. On 5 September, President Tsai announced at a press conference that Lai would become

1560-475: The President of the Republic of China was to be elected by this same " Eternal Parliament " dominated by aging KMT members. However, more conservative politicians, while acquiescing to the need for increased democracy, feared that constitutional changes granting localized sovereignty would jeopardize the ROC government's claims as the legitimate Chinese government and thereby promote Taiwan independence . While

1620-645: The Republic of China , and is treated together with Special Administrative Regions rather than other provinces. Taiwan Province only includes Taiwan and associated islands such as the Pescadores Islands , but "Taiwan Area" (the same as "Taiwan Area" as used by ROC, a.k.a.) is all area administered by Taipei and includes Fujian islands such as Kinmen , Matsu , as well as (at least in principle) Pratas Island (Tungsha/Dongsha) (part of Cijin District , Kaoshiung; claimed as part of Guangdong Province by

1680-602: The Republic of China ." Lai advocates strengthening Taiwan's relations with the United States and other liberal democracies . Lai considers both titles of "Taiwan" or "Republic of China" that can be used equitably and interchangeably in respect of the country name. Lai married Wu Mei-ju in 1986. Wu worked for Taipower , and was based in Tainan until Lai was elected mayor of the city, and she transferred to Kaohsiung. The couple raised two sons. Lai′s first grandson

1740-526: The Republic of China. We don't need a separate declaration of independence". Lai has appeared to have moderated his position on Taiwanese independence particularly when he proposed the idea of "being close to China while loving Taiwan" in June 2017. He also expressed no desire to run against Tsai Ing-wen in the 2020 presidential election. On 28 September, the New Party called on the KMT to join it in filing

1800-623: The United Nations Chinese unification Taiwan independence movement Taiwanese nationalism Tangwai movement The Taiwan Area , fully the " Taiwan Area of the Republic of China ", also the free area of the Republic of China , the " Tai-Min Area ( Taiwan and Fuchien ) " , is a term used to refer to the actual-controlled territories of the Republic of China , usually called "Taiwan". It has been in official use since

1860-646: The Wuqiu Township Office. On the night of August 2, 2019, a cargo ship in port at Wuqiu struck a tetrapod in choppy waves. The ship sank but the thirteen crew members were rescued by the Wuqiu Islands Garrison Command. In March 2020, the Kinmen County Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Office ( 金門縣動植物防疫所 ) sent five persons to Wuqiu to sterilize five dogs on the island in order to prevent

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1920-426: The assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe , he made a private trip to Tokyo to pay his respects and became Taiwan's most senior official to visit Japan in five decades. In November 2022, Lai led representatives of Taiwan's travel agencies and industry associations to Palau to foster collaborations between the two countries. In November 2022, president Tsai Ing-wen resigned as leader of DPP after

1980-611: The capital of the Republic of China until the Japanese invasion in 1937. The Japanese occupation ended with the imperial surrender in 1945, but the term "Free China" was soon to acquire a new meaning in the context of the early Cold War . Following the Communist Party 's victory in the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the newly inaugurated People's Republic of China solidified its control of mainland China , while

2040-655: The coal mines of Wanli. His widowed mother raised him and his five siblings as a single parent . Lai underwent schooling in Taipei City and studied at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of National Taiwan University in Taipei, receiving a Bachelor of Science (BS) in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He then went to Tainan to enter National Cheng Kung University , where he completed its Post-Baccalaureate Medicine Program in 1991 and earned

2100-524: The country's next head of the Executive Yuan. Lai took office on 8 September as the 49th Premier of Taiwan. Following Lai's appointment as premier, Tsai's approval ratings reached 46%, rebounding by more than 16 points since August. Lai made his first appearance as premier at the Legislative Yuan on 26 September, where he stated "I am a political worker who advocates Taiwan independence" but that "We are already an independent sovereign nation called

2160-501: The dogs from breeding and causing problems for the residents. On March 29, 2020, at about 3:55 PM, a capsized ship from mainland China, Haifa 88 ( 海發88 ), which had entered Wuqiu's restricted waters on March 9, broke free from the anchorage holding it in place and floated away. On March 9 at 7:32 AM, the ship had been in a collision with another larger ship from mainland China, Minshiyu 07725 ( 閩獅漁07725 ), in Wuqiu's restricted waters, and

2220-441: The four man crew of the ship were rescued at that time. In late April 2020, Magistrate Yang Cheng-wu visited Wuqiu for the first time as magistrate and stayed overnight. In May 2023, Mayor Tsai Yen-Ming (蔡燕明) was convicted of violating elections law and sentenced to three years and two months in prison. Wuqiu consists of Greater Qiu Islet ( 大坵嶼 , Dàqiū yǔ ) and Smaller Qiu Islet ( 小坵嶼 , Xiǎoqiū yǔ , Hsia Hsü 下嶼 ) with

2280-432: The geographical areas of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Area, to the exclusion of Wuqiu , Dongsha Island , and Taiping Island . The term is complementary to "Mainland Area", which is practically viewed as being synonymous to Mainland China under the control of the People's Republic of China , despite the fact that the Republic of China constitution never defined specific territorial boundaries. Although acknowledging

2340-468: The geopolitical area include: The term "free area of the Republic of China" has persisted to the present day in the ROC legislation. The Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China delegates numerous rights to exercise the sovereignty of the state, including that of electing the President and Legislature , to citizens residing in the "free area of the Republic of China". This term

2400-509: The island as part of an inspection. Late on the night of November 13, 1965, the Nationalist patrol boat Yungtai and the minesweeper Yungchang were on patrol southwest of the islands covering amphibious boats that were unloading supplies to Wuchiu. At just after midnight, eight Chinese Communist boats (three escort destroyers and five gunboats) coming from Quanzhou (Chuanchou) attacked the two Nationalist boats ( 烏坵海戰 ). The Yungchang

2460-599: The islands. The Republic of China Navy has deployed twenty XTR-102 systems in Wuqiu. There are 400 people with household registration in Wuqiu Township. The total population living on the islands fluctuates with the seasons. Due to its location surrounded by ocean, fishing is the primary source of income for its residents. Drinking water is provided to the residents by using reverse osmosis equipment. Generators are used to improve power shortages. Ferry services and resupply between Greater Kinmen and Daqiu

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2520-567: The most popular of the 22 city and county heads in Taiwan, with an approval rating of 87%. Lai made on 5 June 2014 a visit to the city of Shanghai to assist an exhibition of art by the late Taiwanese painter Tan Ting-pho and met politicians of the Chinese Communist Party . Lai stood for reelection on 29 November 2014 against Huang Hsiu-shuang of the Kuomintang. His opponent was considered to have such an uphill task in

2580-575: The office through election instead of immediate succession. He has also served as the chair of the DPP since 2023. Born to a working-class family in Taipei County , Lai studied medicine at National Taiwan University and National Cheng Kung University before earning a master's degree from Harvard University in 2003. After serving as the president of the National Physician Support Association, Lai ran in

2640-526: The one China policy and the 1992 consensus at the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party , Lai said that the Taiwanese government, following the directives of Tsai Ing-wen, would fulfill its promise of not changing the status quo between the two neighbors and not ceding before pressure from Beijing, which comes in the form of military intimidation and an international blockade. In November 2018, Lai tendered his resignation to

2700-549: The party's heavy losses in local elections . Lai officially registered as a candidate for the DPP chair election in December. Since Lai was the only candidate running, he became the new chairman of the DPP in 2023. In March 2023, Lai registered as the only person to run in the DPP's 2024 presidential primary and was officially nominated by the ruling party in April. On 21 November 2023, Lai formally registered his campaign at

2760-408: The premiership after the Democratic Progressive Party suffered a major defeat in local elections , and left office on 14 January 2019 after the swearing-in of his successor Su Tseng-chang . Lai mounted an unsuccessful challenge against Tsai in the 2019 Democratic Progressive Party presidential primary , then served as Tsai's running mate in the 2020 Taiwan presidential election . In April 2023, Lai

2820-515: The president, after the ruling DPP was trounced in local elections. Lai agreed to remain in office to help stabilize the government until the general budget was cleared by the Legislative Yuan in January 2019. Lai's cabinet resigned on 11 January 2019 and Su Tseng-chang was appointed as new premier. On 18 March 2019, Lai Ching-te registered to run in the Democratic Progressive Party presidential primary, saying that he could shoulder

2880-504: The previous administration's New Southbound Policy , signing an investment pact with Thailand in June 2024. Thailand became the fifth trading partner to sign an investment agreement with Taiwan since the announcement of the policy in 2016. Ching-te reaffirmed the island's commitment to resisting Chinese annexation, emphasizing its sovereignty during National Day celebrations. He also expressed hopes for dialogue with Beijing, despite ongoing military pressure and tensions. Previously, Lai

2940-663: The reality of the Taiwan Strait, technically the Republic of China still claims to be the sole representative of China with its constitution. The term "free area" or " Free China " was used during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–45) to describe the territories under the control of the Kuomintang led Nationalist government in Chungking (today Chongqing ), as opposed to the parts of China under Japanese occupation, including Nanking (today Nanjing )

3000-418: The responsibility of leading Taiwan in defending itself from being annexed by China. This is the first time in Taiwanese history where a serious primary challenge has been mounted against a sitting president. The results of the DPP's primary poll released on 13 June shown that Tsai defeated Lai by winning 35.67 percent of the vote over Lai's 27.48 percent, officially becoming the DPP's presidential candidate for

3060-421: The term "Leader of the Taiwan area" ( 台湾地区领导人 ) is used to replace " President of the Republic of China " or "President of Taiwan", "Taiwanese citizens" is replaced with "Residents of Taiwan area" ( 台湾地区居民 ), and Executive Yuan is called "Taiwan area's executive body" ( 台湾地区行政管理机构 ), etc. In official PRC statistics involving Taiwan, "Taiwan Area" is widely used instead, corresponding to the ROC's Free Area of

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3120-560: Was born in the United States in 2020. Wuqiu, Kinmen In the early 1400s, Wuqiu was known as a marker on the sailing route between China and the Ryukyu Islands . As of 1843, a "considerable fishing village" existed in Ockseu (Wuqiu). The Wuqiu Lighthouse was built in 1874, directed by David Marr Henderson. In September 1910, the center of a typhoon swept over Niushan Island (Turnabout Island) and Wuqiu (Ockseu) or

3180-562: Was lifted from the township on 7 November 1992. On 29 January 1994, Wuqiu residents had their first election to elect the fourth head of Wuqiu Township. And on 16 July 1994, the residents had their first election to elect the fourth village heads of Daqiu Village and Xiaoqiu Village . In November 1994, General Li Kai, commander of the troops at Wuqiu, committed suicide. During the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1996, military sources in Taipei expected China to attack

3240-469: Was nominated by the DPP as their presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election and was elected with 40.05% of votes. He took office as President on 20 May 2024. Lai was born into a working-class coal mining family in Wanli , a rural coastal town in northern Taipei County (now New Taipei City) on 6 October 1959. Lai's father died on 8 January 1960 of carbon monoxide poisoning while laboring in

3300-601: Was officially terminated by the government on 1 May 1991 with the implementation of the Additional Articles of the Constitution . Prior to the Battle of Dachen Archipelago in 1955, the Free Area also encompassed a group of islands off Zhejiang, up to then part of the ROC province of Chekiang . The islands have since been administered exclusively by the People's Republic of China. Various names used to describe

3360-722: Was proposed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs as the candidate of the new disposal site of nuclear waste after the Lanyu Storage Site in Orchid Island , Taitung County . This proposal however received heavy objection from the local Wuqiu residents. On July 23, 2017, after a period of sixty years in which the lighthouse remained disused, the Wuqiu Lighthouse resumed service. On August 24, 2017, Chen Fu-Hai , then-magistrate of Kinmen County, visited

3420-412: Was put into the Constitution with the promulgation of the first set of amendments to the Constitution in 1991 and has been retained in the most recent revision passed in 2005. The need to use the term "free area" in the Constitution arose out of the discrepancy between the notion that the Republic of China was the sole legitimate government of China and the pressures of the popular sovereignty movement. In

3480-502: Was shelled and attacked by the Chinese Communists on several occasions. On February 25, 1955, Chinese Communist ships shelled Wuchiu. On June 21, 1955, Nationalist planes heavily damaged a 40-ton tugboat at Wuchiu. In February 1956, there were reports that the 480-man guerrilla force on Wuchiu would be evacuated. The Wuchiu Islands were seen as "highly vulnerable to Communist strikes" and "of little military value to

3540-515: Was sunk almost immediately with fifteen survivors who were rescued by the USS O'Brien . Yungtai sunk four of the Communist gunboats but was scrapped due to excessive damage from the engagement. In the early morning of March 20, 1974, Lt. Wu Miao-huo defected to the PRC. He took a rubber speedboat from Wuchiu to Nanjih Island. Wu wasn't able to get along with his superior officers. Martial law

3600-415: Was viewed as a "deep green" member of the DPP, advocating for Taiwanese independence . As the mayor of Tainan, Lai called himself a "pragmatic worker for Taiwanese independence" and argued it was possible to "love Taiwan while having an affinity to China". He has since moderated his position, saying that there was no need to declare independence as " Taiwan is already a sovereign, independent country called

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