President-elect Lai makes Time’s most influential list for 2024

President-elect Lai makes Time’s most influential list for 2024

2024-04-18

President-elect Lai Ching-te has been named one of Time magazine’s most influential people of 2024. Lai’s entry for the annual ranking was written by former U.S. Ambassador to China John Huntsman, who compared Lai to the mythological Atlas who must shoulder the world.

Time magazine has released its list of this year’s 100 most influential people. Lai Ching-te, who will become Taiwan president on May 20, was included in the Leaders category, alongside Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was listed under Innovators.

Olivia Lin
Presidential Office spokesperson
This international recognition affirms the democratic achievements of the people of Taiwan. In the future, Vice President Lai will uphold Taiwan’s democracy. He will work with likeminded nations to maintain regional peace and stability and lead the nation forward.

On its webpage introducing Lai, Time magazine features a contemplative portrait of him and a tribute written by a prominent U.S. politician.

Jon Huntsman, Jr., who ran in the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries, is a former governor of Utah and one-time U.S. ambassador to China. In his tribute, he introduced Lai as Taiwan’s next president. Lai is inheriting the large task of “ensuring his government’s very survival” amid Chinese aggression, he wrote. The article noted that Taiwan supplies more than half of the world’s chips, but has never been at higher risk due to tensions with China. Huntsman said that for Lai, the tasks ahead might make him feel like “Atlas shouldering the world.” He said Lai’s decisions will affect the world and the future of democracy in Asia. On social media, Lai responded to the tribute, writing that Taiwan will continue to take steady and confident steps forward, as it shoulders the responsibilities of the times.

Lin Chun-hsien
DPP lawmaker
This is not just a personal achievement for Lai Ching-te, but one for the entire nation. It highlights the importance of Taiwan. Because of our geopolitical position and economic strength, the international spotlight shines on Taiwan’s president.

This isn’t the first time Taiwan’s leadership made Time’s list of influential people. President Tsai Ing-wen was included twice. With its leadership making global headlines, it’s clear that the eyes of the world are on Taiwan.

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獲選時代百大人物賴清德:台穩健自信扛起時代重量

2024-04-18

準總統賴清德獲選為時代雜誌年度百大風雲人物，前美國駐中國大使洪博培撰文推薦，他介紹賴清德是台灣下一任總統，形容他像是希臘神話中擎天神阿特拉斯扛起世界。對於自己獲選，賴清德表示台灣將以穩健堅定自信的步伐，扛起時代的責任與挑戰。

時代雜誌公布2024年百大最具影響力人物名單，520即將上任的準總統賴清德榜上有名，他名列領袖類別，一起上榜的，還有菲律賓總統小馬可仕、中國國務院總理李強。輝達執行長黃仁勳也在革新者類別。

[[總統府發言人林聿禪]]
“這是國際社會肯定台灣人民所共同努力達成的民主成就，賴副總統未來將承擔捍衛台灣民主，與理念相近國家共同維持區域和平穩定，帶領國家穩健向前走”

介紹賴清德的網頁上，挑選一張賴清德的側臉照，表情堅毅，而介紹賴清德的文章，找來美國政壇大咖。

2012年曾角逐美國民主黨總統初選的洪博培，是前猶他州長，也當過美國駐中國大使，他介紹賴清德是台灣下一任總統，龐大的任務必須確保台灣政府在中國擴大對台行動的情況下，能夠堅持下去。文章中提到，全球一半以上的重要晶片都是台灣提供，然而隨著和北京的關係日益緊繃，台灣面臨的風險極高。洪博培形容賴清德的處境猶如希臘神話中的擎天神「阿特拉斯」扛起世界，他的選擇不僅會影響情勢緊張的全球，更會牽動亞洲民主的未來。對於自己入選時代雜誌百大人物，賴清德透過社群平台回應，台灣將以穩健堅定自信的步伐，扛起時代的責任與挑戰。

[[立委(民) 林俊憲]]
“我認為第一個這不僅是賴清德個人的成就，這是國家的成就。凸顯出台灣的重要性，是因為有台灣，是因為我們台灣在地緣政治上的重要地位，以及台灣的經濟實力，因此台灣的總統當然就會受到國際的重視”

其實台灣總統登上時代百大人物不是第一次，蔡總統兩度獲選。台灣總統頻頻登上國際版面，凸顯國際社會對台灣關注與期待。

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Heavy rains battered Northern Taiwan on Thursday, wreaking havoc during the morning rush hour. Commuters had to contend with flooded roads, cut-off tunnels and inundated metro facilities. Traffic jams appeared across Taipei and New Taipei, triggering complaints on local officials’ Facebook pages.

A scooter sails across the water. In greater Taipei, the morning downpour caught many commuters off guard.

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Seniors playing croquet on a field, that’s the kind of life many people hope to enjoy during their retirement. However, more and more people are choosing to put off retirement, opting instead to continue working.

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