In his inaugural address on Monday, Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-de, told China that peace was the “only option” amid rising tensions with the communist-led mainland, which condemns him, and threatened to launch military operations against the autonomous island. He called for an end to the physical and political threats. As a defender of independence.
Lai also stated that the new administration intends to “maintain the status quo without making any concessions or provocations” in bilateral relations, and urged the Chinese government to “maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait” in order to ensure global security. He asked them to share responsibility. Freed from the fear of war. ”
China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, aims to incorporate it into its territory, even by force if necessary. It regularly dispatches warships and fighter jets to nearby areas, applying economic pressure.
Lai, who leads the independence-minded Democratic Progressive Party, called on China to “choose dialogue over confrontation and exchange over containment” and cooperate with “the legitimate government chosen by the Taiwanese people” “under the principles of equality and dignity.” Ta. Together we pursue peace and mutual prosperity. ”
Taiwan’s new president, Kiyotoku Lai, gives a speech at the inauguration ceremony held in front of the Presidential Palace in Taipei on May 20, 2024 (Kyodo News) ==Kyodo News
In Beijing, China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office accused Lai of sending “dangerous signals” in his inaugural speech, saying he “stubbornly” called for the island’s independence and called for peace and stability across the strait. He claimed that he had provoked him in a manner likely to cause harm.
Since Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, took office in 2016, the Chinese government has avoided talks with the Democratic Progressive Party government. Mr. Lai’s successor said that neither Taiwan nor mainland China, which was split after a 1949 civil war, were “not subordinate to each other.”
The 64-year-old new leader also said Taiwan will strengthen its defense capabilities “in the face of numerous threats and infiltration attempts from China,” strengthen economic security and encourage other democracies to achieve peace. He said there is a need to cooperate with other countries.
He added, “By standing shoulder to shoulder with other democratic countries, we can demonstrate the strength of deterrence and form a peaceful international community that can prevent war.” In recent years, Taiwan has strengthened its relations with countries such as the United States.
On the economic front, Lai said Taiwan has already mastered advanced semiconductor manufacturing and is a “key player in the supply chains of democracies around the world.” He also called for accelerating the transformation of the territory into an “AI island” to strengthen its economy and military with the introduction of artificial intelligence.
At the oath-taking ceremony, Vice President Hsiao Bi-Kim (52), a former de facto ambassador to the United States, was sworn in alongside Lai.
People gather in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei ahead of the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-de, on May 20, 2024. ==Kyodo News
More than 500 foreign guests attended the inauguration ceremony, including approximately 30 Japanese members of Congress and two former U.S. officials, including former National Economic Council Director Brian Deese and former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. It was included.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said in Tokyo that Japan will strive to expand cooperation with Taiwan on a “non-governmental basis” and said that Taiwan, which shares fundamental values and maintains close economic ties and people-to-people exchanges, is an “important island.” ”. He is a very important partner and dear friend to Tokyo. ”
In a statement released by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday, the United States pledged to deepen its “long-standing informal relationship” with Taiwan and work together to maintain peace and stability on both sides of the Strait.
In contrast to its attitude toward the Democratic Progressive Party, which was also in power from 2000 to 2008, the Chinese government treats the island’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (Kuomintang), favorably.
The Kuomintang has ruled Taiwan for most of the post-World War II period, including from 2008 to 2016 under President Ma Ying-jeou, and currently holds the largest number of seats in the National Assembly.
Ma’s office criticized Lai over his inaugural speech, saying it showed his “direct and clear” pro-independence stance and created an “unprecedented and dangerous situation” between the two countries. He argued that it was possible. Ma met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month.
Lai defeated rivals from two opposition parties in a closely watched general election in January, securing a third consecutive four-year term for the Democratic Party for the first time since direct leadership voting was introduced in 1996.
Taiwan is not officially recognized by most countries and cannot participate in meetings of the United Nations or its agencies. The number of diplomatic allies has plummeted to 12 as China pressures countries to sever ties with China.
The president of Taiwan can serve up to two four-year terms. Lai, who served as prime minister from 2017 to 2019, unsuccessfully challenged Tsai in the Democratic Progressive Party presidential primary in 2019, and served as vice president in her second term.
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