TAIPEI– New Taiwan President Lai Ching-te vowed Monday to defend the island’s democracy, as he called on China to end its military intimidation of the self-ruled island.
Beijing, which has in the past branded Lai as a “dangerous separatist,” responded hours later saying that “Taiwan independence is a dead end.”
In his inauguration speech, the 64-year-old Lai directly addressed the threat of war following years of growing pressure from China to bring democratic Taiwan under mainland rule.
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 sand we must also raise our defence awareness and strengthen our legal framework for national security,” said Lai.
Having previously described himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence”, Lai has moderated his rhetoric on the issue in recent years.
On Monday, he said his government would “neither yield nor provoke, and maintain the status quo” — a balance that preserves Taiwan’s sovereignty while not declaring formal independence.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has branded Lai a “dangerous separatist” who will bring “war and decline” to the island.
Lai succeeds President Tsai Ing-wen, whose eight years in power saw a sharp deterioration in relations with Beijing over her rejection of China’s claim.
Like Tsai, Lai is a staunch defender of the island’s democracy and in the past has described himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence.”
Lai has toned down his rhetoric and has repeatedly vowed to maintain the “status quo” on the Taiwan Strait, which means preserving Taiwan’s sovereignty while not declaring formal independence.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Japanese colonial-era Presidential Office Building in Taipei, where Lai and his vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim were sworn into office shortly after.
Lai and Hsiao — arguably better known on the global stage due to her former role as Taiwan’s top envoy to Washington — are both part of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has championed Taiwan’s sovereignty.
In Washington, DC, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai, saying he looked forward to Washington and Taipei maintaining “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
In addition to hailing Lai, “we also congratulate the Taiwan people for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust and resilient democratic system,” Blinken said in a statement.
“The partnership between the American people and the Taiwan people, rooted in democratic values, continues to broaden and deepen across trade, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties,” the top US diplomat added.
In Beijing, Chinese social media Weibo on Monday blocked hashtags referencing the inauguration of Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te, preventing them from trending as the self-ruled island swore in a new leader.
A hashtag saying “Taiwan 520 new authorities take office”, referring to Monday’s date, was removed, with a notice saying that “according to relevant laws, regulations, and policies, the content of this topic has not been displayed.”
Another that reported “Lai Ching-te takes office” was also taken down while hashtags featuring Lai’s name and that of outgoing Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen were unavailable.
Search results for Lai’s name and other topics still yielded results, however.
Lai — denounced by Beijing as a “dangerous separatist” — was sworn in on Monday, calling on China to “cease political and military intimidation” of the island.
China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and has long threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.
And Weibo comments on the inauguration reflected that official line.
“Retake Taiwan,” one user said, while another expressed hope the island will “be returned soon”.
“If Taiwan province is not retaken and unified, 520 each year will be a day of shame!” one user wrote, referring to Monday’s date.
Weibo often blocks hashtags deemed politically sensitive to prevent them from trending on the platform, used by hundreds of millions in China.
Eight heads of state and representatives of 51 international delegations were invited — including from the United States, Japan and Canada — in a show of support for the island’s democracy.
More than a thousand performers showcasing traditional operas and dances will take part in a celebration that also includes an Air Force aerial formation to salute the new president.
With only 12 allies, Taipei lacks diplomatic recognition on the world stage.
But it has its own government, military and currency, and the majority of the 23 million population see themselves as having a distinct Taiwanese identity, separate from the Chinese in the mainland totaling 1.4 billion.
Following in Tsai’s footsteps, Lai is expected to boost defense spending and strengthen ties with democratic governments, especially Washington, Taiwan’s key partner and weapons supplier.
Beijing has long threatened to use force to bring Taiwan under its control — especially if the island declares independence — with Xi upping the rhetoric of “unification” being “inevitable.”
Ahead of Lai’s inauguration, Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, which handles cross-strait issues, called “Taiwan independence and peace in the strait… like water and fire.”
Chinese warplanes and naval vessels maintain a near-daily presence around the island.
Lai has made overtures for resuming high-level communications with China, which Beijing severed in 2016 when Tsai took power, but experts say they are likely to be rebuffed.
The DPP has lost its majority in Taipei’s parliament — where a brawl broke out Friday among lawmakers from all three parties — which could make it difficult for Lai to push through his policies.
But many Taiwanese are less worried about the threat of conflict than they are about soaring housing prices, rising cost of living pressures, and stagnating wages.
“If war should break out there would be little I could do,” Jay, a 20-year-old student who gave only his first name, told AFP as he took a photo of the Presidential Office.
“So I will just go with the flow.”
