Exploring the outlook for Taiwan under the Lai administration

Please join the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub on Monday, May 20, at 9:00 a.m. ET for reactions from experts on the implications of President-Elect Lai Ching-te’s inaugural address, Beijing’s responses to the new government, as well as relationships with the opposition parties surrounding the new administration.

As President Tsai Ing-wen’s second term comes to an end, Vice President Lai Ching-te is poised to become the 8th president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on May 20. Shortly after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s victory in the January presidential election, Nauru—one of Taiwan’s few remaining official diplomatic allies—shifted its allegiance from Taiwan to China. What might be the trajectory of Taiwan’s international standing as China continues to pressure its remaining allies to switch recognition? How can President-elect Lai address the growing cross-strait tensions? And domestically, despite the DPP retaining control of the Executive Yuan, President-elect Lai will face the challenge of working with a Legislative Yuan where his party no longer holds the majority for the first time in eight years. How can President-elect Lai implement his agenda and pass legislation amid these changes?

This panel will delve into the significant shifts we might observe between President Tsai’s and incoming President Lai’s domestic and international policy agendas. It will also examine the implications for cross-strait relations, Taiwan’s global relationships—particularly with the US and its allies—and the key security and economic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.

Please RSVP for this virtual panel via the registration box on this page.