New Taiwan President Lai Ching-de waves during Lai’s inauguration ceremony on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.
Chiang Yingying/AP
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Chiang Yingying/AP
New Taiwan President Lai Ching-de waves during Lai’s inauguration ceremony on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.
Chiang Yingying/AP
TAIPEI, Taiwan — In his inaugural address, Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-de appealed to China to end military threats against the autonomous island that Beijing claims as its own territory.
After taking the oath of office, Lai said, “My compatriots, we have the ideal of pursuing peace, but we must not have any illusions.” “Since China has not yet renounced the use of force to invade Taiwan, we understand that even if we fully accept China’s proposal and renounce its sovereignty, China’s attempts to annex Taiwan will not disappear. should”
He succeeds Tsai Ing-wen, who guided Taiwan’s economic and social development for eight years despite the coronavirus pandemic and China’s growing military threat.
Thousands of people gathered in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei for the inauguration ceremony. Wearing white bucket hats, attendees watched a master of ceremonies narrate Rai’s swearing-in ceremony, followed by a military march and colorful artistic performances by folk dancers, opera performers and rappers on large screens. did. Military helicopters flew in formation, flying the Taiwanese flag.
Mr. Lai received congratulations from politicians and delegations from the 12 countries that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, as well as politicians from the United States, Japan, and European countries.
Mr. Lai, also known by his English name William, is committed to strengthening Taiwan’s security by importing advanced fighter jets and other technology from its close partner the United States and expanding its manufacturing defense industry, while also seeking stability with China. He vowed to continue his predecessor’s push to maintain the He is deploying submarines and aircraft, and strengthening regional partnerships with Taiwan’s unofficial allies such as the United States, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken congratulated Mr. Lai on his appointment. “We will continue to work with President Lai and Taiwan to advance our common interests and values, deepen our long-standing informal relationship, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Blinken said in a statement from the White House. We look forward to working with people across the political spectrum.”
Lai, 64, succeeds Tsai Ing-wen, who guided Taiwan’s economic and social development for eight years despite the coronavirus pandemic and China’s escalating military threat. He is seen as continuing her progressive policies, including universal health care, support for higher education and support for ethnic minorities, including making Taiwan the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
Mr. Lai, who served as vice president during Tsai’s second term, had a strong impression early in his career that he was more of a hotshot businessman. In 2017, he called himself a “pragmatic activist for Taiwan’s independence,” drawing a rebuke from the Chinese government. He has since softened his stance and now supports maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and possible talks with Beijing.
The Chinese government claims Taiwan as its own territory and has increasingly threatened to annex it by force if necessary.
Lai would further strengthen Tsai’s efforts to strengthen ties with the United States, which does not formally recognize Taiwan as a country but is bound by its own laws to provide the island with means of self-defense. .
During Ms. Tsai’s tenure, Taiwan became the first society in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, but critics argue that Ms. Tsai avoided political responsibility by leaving decisions to the Supreme Court and a series of referendums. ing.
She oversaw controversial pension and labor reforms and extended the conscription period to one year. She also launched a military modernization drive, including a program to build indigenous submarines at a cost of more than $16 billion each.
Tsai’s leadership during the pandemic has divided public opinion, with most praising Taiwan’s initial ability to keep the virus largely outside its borders, but lacking investment in rapid testing as the pandemic progresses. criticized for being there.
