William Lang Ching-te called on China to choose dialogue rather than confrontation, stressing that cross-Strait stability is necessary for international peace and prosperity.
The new leader of Taiwan returned, this Monday, to invite Beijing to dialogue, on equal terms, at the beginning of a mandate in which reinforcing the island’s de facto independence will be a priority.
“I hope China faces the reality of the existence of the Republic of China. [nome oficial de Taiwan] and, with good will, choose dialogue over confrontation,” said William Lai Ching-te, during his inauguration speech.
The leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (PPD), who replaced this Monday Tsai Ing-wen (2016-2024), also from the PPD, guaranteed that “Peace has no price and war has no winners.“, and highlighted the intention to maintain the status quo in the Strait of Formosa.
The territory functions as sovereign political entitywith diplomacy and own armiesalthough officially not be independent.
However, Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, not a sovereign political entity, and has warned that a formal proclamation of independence would be seen as a declaration of war.
“There is broad international consensus that cross-Strait peace and stability are indispensable for global security and prosperity,” said Lai, a 64-year-old politician with a long political career in Taiwan, including as vice president (2020- 2024) and Prime Minister (2017-2019).
Lai called on authorities in Beijing to end “political and military intimidation” of Taiwan and respect the government democratically elected by the Taiwanese people.
The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. All Taiwanese must unite to safeguard our nation, political parties must oppose annexation and nobody he must embrace the idea of abandoning our sovereignty to accumulate political power”, he said.
Thousands of people gathered in front of the Presidential Office building in Taipei for the ceremony, followed by a military march and artistic performances featuring folk dancers, opera artists and rappers. Military helicopters flew in formation, carrying the flag of Taiwan.
Lai accepted congratulations from political colleagues and delegations from the 12 countries that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, as well as political representatives from the United States, Japan and several European countries.
He vowed to continue efforts to maintain stable relations with the Chinese mainland while strengthening Taiwan’s security by importing advanced American fighter jets and other defense technologies, expanding the domestic defense industry, and strengthening regional partnerships with Taiwan’s unofficial allies, such as the United States and Japan. , South Korea and the Philippines.
The head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, congratulated Lai on Monday.
We look forward to working with President Lai and across Taiwan’s political spectrum to promote our common interests and values, deepen long-standing unofficial relations, and maintain peace and the stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Blinken said in a statement.
Lai is seen as the heir to Tsai’s progressive policies, including universal healthcaresupport for higher education and to minority groups. Taiwan was the first country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.
Lai previously described himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence,” drawing criticism from Beijing.
He has since softened his stance and now supports maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the dialogue with Beijing.
China and Taiwan have lived as two autonomous territories since 1949, when the former Chinese nationalist government took refuge on the island after its defeat in the civil war against the communists.
Source: Observadora
