Taiwan: Lai Ching-te Takes Oath of Office as New President

Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, officially assumed the presidency of Taiwan after winning the January 13 election, where he garnered 40% of the vote.

The centerpiece of Lai’s speech was a call for China to abandon military and political threats. He believes that peace is the only choice and that the choice of the people of Taiwan must be respected, reiterating Beijing’s invitation to dialog.

“As long as China does not renounce the use of force against Taiwan, we must recognize the existence of the threat of annexation, which will not automatically disappear. Mutual benefit and prosperous coexistence should be common goals,” the new president said. “Democracy, peace, and prosperity make up Taiwan’s roadmap and connect us to the world. We have grown to become one of the most dynamic democracies. Taiwan has become a global reference point, which is a merit of all its people. The future we are defining is not only the future of our country, but the future of the world: Taiwan needs the world, just as the world needs Taiwan.”

China has responded strongly. According to Xinhua News Agency, Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Lai Ching-te’s message is “dangerous” and undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Chen said Lai is ignoring public opinion, which wants peace and development, not war and recession. Lai advocates “Taiwan independence” and colludes with “outside forces,” while Beijing’s position is well known and is that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and Taiwan’s independence and peace with the two sides of the Strait confronting each other are as incompatible as fire and water.”

Lai succeeded Tsai Ing-wen, during whose rule relations with China deteriorated significantly due to her refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus and the One China principle.