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Inauguration of Lai Ching-te

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Inauguration of Lai Ching-te
Lai and first lady Wu Mei-ju waving at the crowd
DateMay 20, 2024; 7 months ago (2024-05-20)
LocationPresidential Office Building, Taipei
ParticipantsHosts:

Deponents:

Custodians:

Audience:

The inauguration of Lai Ching-te as the 14th president of the Republic of China took place on May 20, 2024,[1] marking the start of the four-year term of Lai Ching-te as president and Hsiao Bi-khim as vice president, and the first time a political party started a third term since the implementation of direct elections in 1994. The inauguration took place in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei.[2][3] As part of the inauguration festivities, the first ever state banquet was held in Tainan.[4]

Inaugural speech

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In his inaugural speech, Lai Ching-te emphasized the notion of Huadu, saying that the inauguration of the first democratically elected president Lee Teng-hui in 1996 proved to the world that "the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation in which sovereignty lies in the hands of the people".

He thanked outgoing president Tsai Ing-wen, and acknowledged the significance of the Democratic Progressive Party being the first political party to win three presidential terms in a row. He stressed the need for political parties to work together, given that for the first time in 16 years, no party won an absolute majority in the Legislative Yuan. He said that the government is pledging more money to help recovery efforts for the 2024 Hualien earthquake, sent condolences to the victims, and thanked rescue workers and the international community for their support.

Ching-te emphasized Taiwan's role as a beacon of democracy. He said that Taiwan, as a democracy, outperformed autocracies in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and that Taiwan upheld human rights, being the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

He said that "peace is priceless, and war has no winners", noting the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and Israel–Hamas war. He thanked the US for their support in passing the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, which gave $10 billion in military assistance to Taiwan.[5] He said that Taiwan did not want war with China, but whilst China continued its provocations, Taiwan would be ready and willing to defend itself.

He said that Taiwan must embrace AI and use its semiconductor industry to turn Taiwan from a "silicon island" into an "AI island". He emphasized the need to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. He noted that Taiwan has applied to join the CPTPP, and that it would continue to forge trade partnerships with democracies around the world.

Ching-te pledged support to elderly, parents and working people and promised more government spending to increase people's happiness, including promising to promote more pedestrian friendly infrastructure and end Taiwan's reputation as a "pedestrian hell".

He emphasized the unity of the nation, saying that all citizens should come together as sovereignty of the nation resides in the people. He said that the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China are not "subordinate to each other", and that Taiwan should increase its participation in international organizations, no matter what name for the country they use.

He thanked the numerous international guests who had come to the inauguration and people who had come from overseas and made Taiwan their home. He finished by saying that citizens should work to protect Taiwan and "allow her the international respect she deserves as a great nation".[6]

Guests

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Fifty-one countries sent delegates to the event.[7] Notable guests include Santiago Peña, president of Paraguay,[8][9] and Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State of the United States.[10] Members of the opposition Kuomintang were in attendance, such as Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng,[11] alongside minor party leader Ko Wen-je of the TPP. Presidents of the Judicial, Legislative, Control, and Examination Yuans also attended.[12]

International reactions

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China

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Cross-strait tensions increased as a result of Lai's speech.[13] On May 23, 2024, the East Sea Fleet announced that a joint military exercise will be held in the Taiwan Strait.[14][15][16] Soon after, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu [zh] announced that Fujian province will also participate in the exercise.[17] Additionally, China reinstated tariffs on 134 items from Taiwan previously tariff-free under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.[18]

United States

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United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Lai's speech.[19] A small delegation led by US Representative Michael McCaul, composed mostly of members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, met with Lai after the inauguration. He pledged military support for Taiwan.[20][21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lai Ching-te inaugurated as Taiwan's president". Politico. Associated Press. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Inaugural Address of ROC 16th-term President Lai Ching-te". english.president.gov.tw. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  3. ^ Cheung, Eric; McCarthy, Simone; Yeung, Jessie (20 May 2024). "Taiwan's new president calls on China to stop its 'intimidation' after being sworn into historic third term for ruling party". CNN. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  4. ^ Huang, Novia; Lo, James (20 May 2024). "PHOTO ESSAY/Lai, Hsiao celebrate inauguration with 1st-ever state banquet in Tainan". Central News Agency. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  5. ^ "MOFA response to passage of Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 by US House of Representatives". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). 22 April 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  6. ^ Office of the President Republic of China (Taiwan) (20 May 2024). "Inaugural Address of ROC 16th-term President Lai Ching-te". Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  7. ^ 中央通訊社 (17 May 2024). "外交部：51團508位外賓將參加520就職 | 政治". 中央社 CNA (in Chinese). Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  8. ^ "President Lai meets President Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay". english.president.gov.tw. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  9. ^ Wu, Justin (15 August 2023). "Taiwan Vice President Lai Ching-te Meets Paraguay President-Elect Santiago Peña". TaiwanPlus. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  10. ^ "President Lai meets 70th US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo". english.president.gov.tw. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  11. ^ Thomson, Jono (20 May 2024). "Lai Ching-te sworn in as Taiwan's new president". Taiwan News. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  12. ^ 中央通訊社 (13 May 2024). "韓國瑜將出席520就職典禮 授與賴清德國璽印章 | 政治". 中央社 CNA (in Chinese). Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  13. ^ Davidson, Helen (22 May 2024). "China warns of reprisals against Taiwan after president's inauguration speech". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Taiwan scrambles jets and puts missile, naval and land units on alert over China's military drills". AP News. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  15. ^ 谢博韬. ""联合利剑-2024A"演习之后是否还会有"B""C"？国台办回应". news.cctv.com. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  16. ^ "专栏 | 军事无禁区：抵近威慑－看"联合利剑-2024A"对台演习". Radio Free Asia. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  17. ^ 經濟日報. "配合軍演 福建海警於烏丘、東引附近海域進行執法演練 | 大陸政經 | 兩岸". 經濟日報 (in Chinese). Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  18. ^ Reuters (31 May 2024). "China suspends tariff concessions on 134 items under Taiwan trade deal". Retrieved 25 August 2024. {{cite web}}: |author1= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ Blinken, Antony (19 May 2024). "Taiwan's Presidential Inauguration". Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  20. ^ "US lawmakers pledge support for Taiwan and its new president after China's military drills". AP News. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  21. ^ Gan, Nectar (27 May 2024). "US lawmakers vow to bolster Taiwan's defense with bipartisan visit days after China's 'punishment' military drills". CNN. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
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