Mr. Lai assumes the position of leader as the Chinese government aggressively asserts its sovereignty over the autonomous island with a population of 23 million people.
Taipei, Taiwan – William Lai Ching-de was sworn in as Taiwan’s president in a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute, later praising the self-governing island’s democracy and appealing to China to stop its “blackmail.”
Lai and Vice President Xia Bi Kim took the oath of office Monday under a portrait of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China (Republic of China), the official name of Taiwan’s government, during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Taipei. Ta.
The 64-year-old was given two seals symbolizing presidential power by the speaker of parliament. One is the Republic of China Seal and the other is the Honorary Seal. Both were brought to the island in 1949 by the Kuomintang, which lost to the Communists in China’s civil war.
Outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen also said her farewell words during the ceremony, marking the end of her eight-year term of office, which could last up to two terms.
Addressing the crowd gathered at the Presidential Office Building, Mr. Lai pointed out the importance of May 20, the day martial law was imposed in 1949 and the day Taiwan’s first popularly elected president took the oath of office in 1997. He said it was a “signal to the international community.” The Republic of China and Taiwan are independent countries whose sovereignty rests with the people. ”
He stressed that Taiwan will not make any concessions on democracy and freedom, urging China to “stop invading Taiwan” and “to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and region so that the world can be freed from the fear of war.” He called on the government to make efforts to “maintain the same.” ”
The Chinese government claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out using force to achieve its goals. Throughout Tsai’s two terms in office, China has sent military planes and warships near the island, and Lai, who is seen as a “separatist” and “troublemaker,” won a general election in January. He has continued to do the same thing ever since.
Monday’s ceremony was attended by representatives from 29 countries, including representatives from 12 of Taiwan’s last diplomatic allies in the Pacific, Central America and the Holy See.
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as former Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, of foreign “economic” or “trade” offices that serve as de facto diplomatic missions for countries that maintain formal relations with the Chinese government. Representatives also attended.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a message of congratulations and said the US looked forward to working with Lai to “deepen our long-standing informal relationship and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” Stated.
‘honest’
Celebrations celebrating Taiwan’s cultural heritage, including a military parade and traditional drumming and dancing performances, drew dignitaries as well as citizens and party supporters.
Lisa Wu returned to Taiwan from Los Angeles with her family to attend the ceremony and sat among supporters of Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party.
Wu said she respected Lai, the son of a coal miner who later qualified as a doctor, as an “honest” political leader. She previously returned from the United States to vote for him in the January election.
Wu, who was sitting in the section for Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party supporters, said he left Taiwan 50 years ago to find better opportunities in the United States. At that time, native Taiwanese descendants of families that predated the arrival of the Republic of China government had fewer opportunities, but in modern Taiwan that distinction has faded.
Wu said he returned to Taiwan in 2000, just after Taiwan transitioned to democracy, and has voted in every presidential election.
Samantha Yu, president of the World Chinese Business Federation, also returned from California to attend the event.
“Today is a really special day,” Yu told Al Jazeera. “For democracies, we are very worried right now that China will try to attack us, and it is very important to protect our island and our democracy. I was born and currently live in the United States, and I sincerely hope that the people here continue to enjoy democracy.”
Miffy Jiang attended the ceremony wearing the traditional costume of the indigenous Atayal tribe.
Jiang said that although he is not an Atayal himself, he wants to raise awareness and recognition of Taiwan’s 12 indigenous groups.
“I’m not Indigenous, but I feel like Indigenous people are part of our family. They should be counted as well,” she said. “We have some historical differences with them, but from my perspective, I still believe that they and their communities are historically part of Taiwan.”
Chinese state media had no immediate comment on Lai’s appointment.
In an article published ahead of the ceremony, state-run tabloid Global Times called Lai a “regional leader.”
