Don’t appease China, warns Taiwan’s likely presidential successor

William Lai urges Taiwanese to unite in the face of ‘the expansion of China’s authoritarianism’, in first comments since taking party leadership

Appeasing China will not bring peace, Taiwan’s vice-president has said, days after he was elected head of the ruling party in a move that makes him a prime presidential contender at the next election.

William Lai, 63, is seen as a likely successor to President Tsai Ing-wen, who is barred from running again after her second four-year term ends in May 2024.