Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te to be sworn in on May 20
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - MAY 20: Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te gives a speech at his inauguration ceremony on May 20, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan. Lai urged China to stop its military threats against Taiwan in his inaugural address. Lai is expected to continue the policies of outgoing president Tsai Ing-wen, who was barred from running again after two terms. He has vowed to maintain peace with China while defending Taiwan's sovereignty. The inauguration ceremony will be attended by foreign dignitaries, underscoring Taiwan's growing international profile under Tsai's leadership. Lai faces the challenge of balancing relations with the U.S. and China while navigating a politically divided legislature at home. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
Lai Ching-te also stressed that in order to build a new Taiwan that is democratic, peaceful and prosperous, “the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other”, any political party in Taiwan should oppose annexation and protect Taiwan’s sovereignty, “the country’s sovereignty should not be sacrificed for the sake of power”.
Lai Ching-te believes that the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Israeli-Kazakhstan war continue to impact the world, “China’s military actions and gray coercion are also seen as the biggest strategic challenge to global peace and stability.”
