Lai Ching-te sworn in as Taiwan's new president, asks Beijing to 'cease political, military intimidation'

Lai Ching-te on Monday (May 20) has been sworn in as Taiwan's new president.Thousands of people congregated in front of Taipei's Presidential Office Building to witness the inauguration ceremony.After taking office, Lai, who is seen as a moderate figure, called on China to 'cease political and military intimidation'. Vice President Hsia Bi-khim also took an oath in front of Sun Yat-Sen portrait, the founding father of the Republic of China (ROC), as Taiwan has been known officially.

Lai maintained that he is committed to Taiwan's de facto independence. During the ceremony, outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen bid farewell. Notably, Tsai concluded her tenure after two terms spanning eight years.

Lai, in his inaugural speech, thanked the people of the country "for refusing to be swayed by external forces and resolutely defending democracy" and said that we "must raise our defence awareness."

He also exuded confidence in his leadership saying that a "glorious era of Taiwan's democracy has arrived" and said that Taiwan refuses "to be swayed by external forces."

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Representatives from 29 countries attended the event. Among the notable attendees were former United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite.

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The festivities saw a military parade and traditional drum and dance performances.

William Lai Ching-te, representing the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), emerged victorious in Taiwan's presidential election inJanuary this year.China swiftly rejected the outcome and asserted that the vote "will not impede the inevitable trend of China's reunification."

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According to Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday (May 20), six Chinese aircraft breached the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The ministry also indicated that at least one of the aircraft approached within 43 nautical miles (80 km) of the northern Taiwanese port city of Keelung.

US congratulates Lai

The United States congratulated Lai Ching-te and the Taiwan people "for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust and resilient democratic system." "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," US State Secretary Antony Blinken said.

(With inputs from agencies)