Taiwan: the challenges of the upcoming years

The international research network "Modernity, transition and reform in China" is pleased to invite you to the conference Taiwan: the challenges for the years ahead, following the presidential inauguration on 20 May.

On May 20, 2024, the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te (William Lai) will take place in Taiwan. How will this new president, dubbed by Beijing as an "advocate of Taiwanese independence" and elected with minority votes under the electoral system without a legislative majority, exercise his power over the next four years in such a complex domestic political landscape and amid significant international uncertainty? What factors could undermine his tenure, how will he respond to increasing pressure from Beijing, and address the numerous American demands regarding defense and economic cooperation?

For the past 32 years, Professor Lun Zhang has visited Taiwan over twenty times as a visiting researcher, participating in symposiums or observing elections. These visits have provided him with the opportunity to meet people from various social strata in Taiwan, ranging from ordinary citizens to political, economic, and intellectual elites.

In this conference, he will share some of his observations and analyses on the challenges facing Taiwan and President Lai in the years ahead.