William Lai Ching-te

Jun 6, 2024 | usip.org | Jennifer Staats |Naiyu Kuo |William Lai Ching-te

Over four months after winning Taiwan’s presidential election, William Lai Ching-te from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officially took office on May 20. Beijing fiercely criticized Lai’s inaugural address and conducted military drills and patrols around Taiwan in a bid to “punish” Lai for failing to heed China’s preferred positions.