President Lai takes office in Taiwan: First message to China
Lai Ching-te, who won the presidential election held in January in Taiwan, which is in a sovereignty dispute with China, has taken the oath of office.
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According to a report by the Taiwanese agency CNA, during the ceremony held at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu presented the seal of the "Republic of China," which the government in Taiwan claims is the continuation of the state, to Lai.
At the ceremony, which was also attended by outgoing leader Tsai Ing-wen, former Vice President Lai and Hsiao Bi-khim, who was elected Vice President alongside him, took their oaths and assumed office.
In his first speech as president, Lai pledged to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait while calling on the Beijing administration for reconciliation.
Emphasizing that maintaining the status quo in Taiwan is "of key importance to the world," Lai said, "We hope that China will take concrete steps such as restarting bilateral contacts, tourism, and student exchanges to reconcile with Taiwan, and work toward achieving peaceful coexistence."
"TAIWAN AND CHINA ARE NOT SUBORDINATE TO EACH OTHER"
Pointing out that the future of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will be decisive for global development, Lai stated, "We will be the guardians of peace by continuing Taiwan's democracy."
Expressing that the Taiwanese government will remain committed to protecting sovereignty, democracy, freedom, and the status quo, Lai said, "According to the Constitution, the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan) belongs to the people as a whole. The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other."
Lai stated that all political parties in Taiwan must "resist annexation" and "protect sovereignty," calling on them not to renounce sovereignty in order to gain political power.
The new leader of Taiwan won the presidential election on January 13 as the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
CHINA VIEWS LAI AS "PRO-INDEPENDENCE" AND A "SEPARATIST"
Lai is viewed by China as "pro-independence" and a "separatist." Before the election, Chinese officials had referred to Lai many times with terms such as "incorrigible" and "troublemaker."
On the eve of the election, the Beijing administration warned that Lai would lead Taiwan down a "dangerous path" toward independence, implying that his election could lead to the risk of conflict and war.
China's reaction stems from its opposition to the general political line of the DPP. The party represents a political line that advocates for no concessions on the island's sovereignty and the preservation of its de facto independence.
The DPP, which was founded after Taiwan transitioned to a multi-party system, leans closer to the idea of "Taiwanese independence" rather than the "claim to be the legitimate representative of China" held by the Kuomintang, the founding party that fought against the communists in the Chinese civil war.