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KMT and TPP Leaders Meet to Advance
Opposition Cooperation |
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The meeting between Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun of the KMT and Chairman Huang Kuo-chang of the TPP became the spotlight, with the prospect of cooperation attracting speculation about a coalition government. |
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First Step Towards Forming Coalition Government
The meeting between Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Chairman Huang Kuo-chang of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on November 19 became the most closely watched political development. Their dialogue is not merely a political maneuver; it also reflects changes in the new political structure and could mark the starting point for Taiwan’s first move toward a “coalition government.”
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According to a commentator, due to institutional and ideological differences, the DPP and TPP cannot cooperate. |
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Why the TPP Cannot Cooperate with the DPP
Since the split between the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) publicly erupted in December 2023 to gestures of goodwill between KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang, some have viewed cooperation between the two parties as a tortuous but inevitable path. However, Taiwan’s politics remain in a developing stage, and no progress is historically predetermined. Whether the KMT and TPP will truly cooperate remains highly uncertain. If the two parties eventually do collaborate, it would largely be the result of a series of missteps by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and President Lai Ching-te’s administration.
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A former senior executive of the TSMC is suspected of leaking secrets, raising concerns that the outflow of technology could impact national security and governance. |
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Another Case of TSMC Secrets Stolen, Exposing Vulnerability of Taiwan's Technology
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has faced enormous pressure in global geopolitics in recent years. From supply chain restructuring to competition among major powers, even personnel or technical disputes within a single company can affect national security and industrial strategy. The case of Lo Wei-jen, former senior vice president at the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) suspected of carrying large amounts of data related to sub-2nm advanced processes to Intel, elevated what would have been an internal corporate issue to a national security-level investigation. The public concern stems not only from Mr. Lo’s previous critical role at the company but also from the broader implications for Taiwan, highlighting the structural vulnerability of its technology strategy.
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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan stated in parliament that a “Taiwan contingency” could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” in which collective self-defense may be exercised, heightening China-Japan tensions. |
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November 14:
The Economist reported that the Central Bank has continued suppressing the New Taiwan dollar (NTD) exchange rate, causing severe economic imbalance and creating what it termed the “Taiwanese disease.” In response, the Central Bank issued a rare joint statement with the United States Department of the Treasury, claiming that they had reached important consensus on currency issues. The Central Bank emphasized that the U.S. Department of the Treasury had never requested NTD appreciation and pledged that starting from the end of December, it would significantly increase the frequency of publishing foreign exchange intervention data, from once every six months to once every quarter. |
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November 16:
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan stated in parliament that a “Taiwan contingency” could constitute a “survival crisis situation” allowing Japan to exercise collective self-defense, heightening tensions between mainland China and Japan. President Lai Ching-te deliberately shared a photo of a Japanese-style lunch on social media, interpreted as symbolic support for Japanese seafood. Former President Ma Ying-jeou expressed concern, supporting friendly Taiwan-Japan relations but warning against rash actions by the Japanese government that could place Taiwan in danger. |
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November 18:
According to the latest poll by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation (TPOF) on party support, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) received 31.1 percent, the Kuomintang (KMT) 25.8 percent, and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) 14.7 percent. Compared with October, the DPP fell by 1.8 percentage point; the KMT rose by 3.9 points, while the TPP slightly increased by 0.3 point. TPOF Chairman You Ying-lung noted that before the major recall setbacks, the DPP had led opposition parties by a wide margin, but now the combined support of the KMT and TPP exceeds the DPP by 9.4 points. He warned that this is a serious signal, especially as the 2026 local elections are already in their early stages. |
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November 18:
Luo Wei-jen, former senior vice president of R&D at the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), retired in July and joined Intel in October. It is rumored that before retiring, Luo used his position to take confidential information related to advanced 2-nanometer process technology. The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office has opened an investigation to determine whether Luo violated the National Security Act or Trade Secrets Act. |
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November 18:
The Joint Admission Committee for Mainland Chinese Students in Taiwan announced enrollment figures this year: 66 doctoral students and 12 master students, totaling only 78. This is the first time that the number has fallen below 100, marking the lowest record since Taiwan began admitting mainland students in 2011. |
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November 19:
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which is affiliated with the U.S. Congress, released its annual report, identifying three possible timelines for Beijing to invade Taiwan: 2027, 2035, and 2049. It recommended launching a new model of foreign arms sales cooperation, with Taiwan funding defense cooperation projects in third countries. At a hearing, Commission Vice Chairman Randy Schriver stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to be ready for a Taiwan invasion by 2027. |
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November 19:
KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang held their first meeting, setting the tone for “blue-white cooperation.” They declared, “When the ruling party fails, the opposition has the responsibility to uphold the country.” Both sides will begin “think tank alignment” to advance legislative cooperation and plan to present the strongest team of nominees for the 2026 local elections. |
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November 20:
Disregarding the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) cited the Nationality Act to dismiss a village chief with mainland Chiense spouse status. It insisted that mainland spouses holding elected office must provide proof of renouncing mainland Chinese nationality. However, this requirement is practically impossible to fulfill. The Mainland Affairs Council indirectly confirmed that the MOI’s demand has effectively rendered mainland spouses’ political participation rights dead. |
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