Sworn in, the new president of Taiwan promises to uphold the democracy of the island

On Monday, Lai Ching-te, the newly elected president of Taiwan, called on China to stop its military intimidation of the self-governing island and committed to protect democracy on the island.

After years of mounting pressure from China to subjugate Taiwan to mainland control, Lai also publicly addressed the prospect of conflict in an inauguration speech.

Lai said a “glorious era of Taiwan’s democracy has arrived” and thanked citizens for “refusing to be swayed by external forces, for resolutely defending democracy”.

“In face of the many threats and attempts of infiltration from China, we must demonstrate our resolution to defend our nation and we must also raise our defence awareness and strengthen our legal framework for national security,” said Lai, 64.

China has described Lai as a “dangerous separatist” for his past comments on Taiwan’s independence — rhetoric that he has moderated in recent years.

On Monday, he said his government will “neither yield nor provoke, and (will) maintain the status quo” — a balance that preserves Taiwan’s sovereignty while not declaring formal independence.

“I also want to call on China to cease their political and military intimidation against Taiwan,” Lai said.

He urged Beijing to “share with Taiwan the global responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait… and ensure the world is free from the fear of war”.

Following the ascension of his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen to office in 2016, Beijing broke off high-level talks with Lai, who has since made several attempts to reestablish them.

Lai expressed his hope that China would “select dialogue over confrontation” on Monday.

According to experts, Lai’s advances are probably going to be rejected.

US assistance –

Since 1949, when nationalists were driven from mainland China by communist troops after a civil war, Taiwan has been ruled independently.

China has regarded Taiwan as part of its territory for more than 70 years and has often threatened to use force to annex the island.

Despite Taiwan’s formal recognition being transferred from the US to China in 1979, the US continues to be the island’s principal ally and source of armaments.

During his four years in office, Lai is anticipated to strengthen defense ties with Washington even more.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Lai and expressed his anticipation for Washington and Taipei to strengthen their relationship while preserving “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

Chinese state media said Beijing had sanctioned three US defense corporations for selling arms to Taipei, shortly after Lai assumed office.

Weibo, a popular social media network in China, prohibited hashtags related to the inauguration as well, stopping them from becoming popular on the platform used by hundreds of millions of people.

The Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing declared before to the inauguration that “Taiwan independence and peace in the strait is like water and fire.”

There hasn’t been much of an increase in the number of Chinese warplanes and navy boats in the days preceding the inauguration, but they are still present almost everyday throughout the island.

Both Lai and Taiwan’s previous senior ambassador to the United States, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, are members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has supported Taiwan’s sovereignty.

They are known as the “independence duo” in China.

“Increase investment”

Taipei is not recognized diplomatically in the international arena and has only twelve formal allies.

The inauguration ceremony of Lai was attended by eight heads of state who acknowledge Taiwan.

Delegations were sent by more than 40 nations, including the US, Japan, and Canada.

With its own military, government, and currency, the majority of Taiwan’s 23 million people identify as Taiwanese, keeping them apart from Chinese people.

“I think it is better not to be too close to China or too far away from China — it is better to maintain a neutral feeling,” said Shen Yujen, 24, who is part way through his four-month military service.

Domestically, Lai has another hurdle after his DPP lost the majority in the legislature in the January elections, making it difficult for him to implement his objectives.

Many Taiwanese are more concerned about growing property costs, rising cost of living pressures, and stagnant incomes than with the danger of conflict.

Lai promised to “expand investment in society” and make the island a “force for global prosperity” on Monday.

AFP