List of Presidents of Taiwan: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Taiwan from 1948 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Taiwan, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Taiwan: Lai Ching-te (in office since 2024). Taiwan is governed by the Republic of China, and this page lists that government's presidents from 1948. The People's Republic of China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and most countries do not have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. Presidents of the Republic of China before 1948 are not listed.

Presidents of Taiwan in order, with years in office

Chiang Kai-shek

Served: 1948–1949

First president under the 1947 constitution; he stepped down in January 1949 as the Nationalists lost the civil war.

Li Zongren

Served: 1949–1950 (acting)

Vice president who acted as president; he left for the United States in December 1949 and was removed in March 1950.

Chiang Kai-shek

Served: 1950–1975

Resumed the presidency in Taipei on 1 March 1950 and held it until his death on 5 April 1975.

Yen Chia-kan

Served: 1975–1978

Vice president who succeeded Chiang Kai-shek and completed his term.

Chiang Ching-kuo

Served: 1978–1988

Son of Chiang Kai-shek; martial law ended during his presidency in 1987, and he died in office in January 1988.

Lee Teng-hui

Served: 1988–2000

Vice president who succeeded Chiang Ching-kuo; the first president elected by direct popular vote, in 1996.

Chen Shui-bian

Served: 2000–2008

First president from the Democratic Progressive Party.

Ma Ying-jeou

Served: 2008–2016

Kuomintang president who served two terms.

Tsai Ing-wen

Served: 2016–2024

First woman to serve as president of Taiwan.

Lai Ching-te

Served: 2024–present

Democratic Progressive Party president who took office on 20 May 2024 after serving as Tsai's vice president.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Taiwan

Who is the current president of Taiwan?

The current head of state of Taiwan is Lai Ching-te, in office since 2024. Taiwan is governed by the Republic of China, and this page lists that government's presidents from 1948. The People's Republic of China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and most countries do not have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. Presidents of the Republic of China before 1948 are not listed.

Who were the previous presidents of Taiwan?

The presidents and heads of state of Taiwan listed on this page, in order, are: Chiang Kai-shek, Li Zongren, Chiang Kai-shek, Yen Chia-kan, Chiang Ching-kuo, Lee Teng-hui, Chen Shui-bian, Ma Ying-jeou, Tsai Ing-wen, Lai Ching-te.

Who was the first president of Taiwan?

Chiang Kai-shek was the first president of Taiwan, in office 1948–1949.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of the Republic of China and Lai Ching-te; Office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan); Focus Taiwan and Associated Press reports (checked Nov 2026). Presidents under the 1947 constitution; the acting president of 1949–1950 is labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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