TAIPEI, May 20, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - New Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Monday
hailed the arrival of a "glorious era" for its democracy, as he called on
China to cease political and military intimidation.

In an inauguration speech, Lai also directly addressed the threat of war
following years of growing pressure from China's to bring 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 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," Lai
said.

A staunch defender of Taiwan's sovereignty, Lai has been described by Beijing
as a "dangerous separatist" for his past comments on Taiwan's independence --
rhetoric that he has moderated in recent years.

On Monday, he vowed 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."

Lai is expected to boost defence spending and strengthen ties with Washington
during his four-year term in a bid to deter China from seizing it.

China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and has long threatened to
use force to bring it under its control.

Domestically, Lai also faces another challenge after his Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) lost its majority in the legislature in the January
elections, meaning it will be hard for him to push through his policies.

As he took office Monday, Chinese state media reported Beijing imposed
sanctions on three US defence companies over their sales of weapons to
Taipei.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai, saying he was looking
forward to Washington and Taipei deepening ties and maintaining "peace and
stability across the Taiwan Strait".

- 'Like water and fire' -

Monday's inauguration ceremony was held at the Japanese colonial-era
Presidential Office Building in Taipei, with Lai's deputy Hsiao Bi-khim also
sworn into office.

In a show of support for the island's democracy, eight heads of state and
representatives of 51 international delegations attended the ceremony --
including from the United States, Japan and Canada.

More than a thousand performers showcasing traditional operas and dances took
part in a celebration that also included an Air Force aerial formation to
salute the new president.
 
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 DPP, which
has championed Taiwan's sovereignty.

China has dubbed them an "independence duo".

Ahead of the inauguration, Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office said that "Taiwan
independence and peace in the strait is like water and fire".

Chinese warplanes and naval vessels maintain a near-daily presence around the
island, but in the days leading up to the inauguration, there has not been a
significant uptick in the numbers.

Taiwan's defence ministry detected six Chinese aircraft and seven vessels
around it in the 24 hours to 6:00 am on Monday.

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.

- 'Go with the flow' -

With only 12 formal allies, Taipei lacks diplomatic recognition on the world
stage.

While Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in
1979, it has remained Taiwan's most important partner and biggest arms
supplier.

Taiwan 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.

"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.