On May 20, 2024, Taiwan’s newly inaugurated President, Lai Ching-te, delivered a powerful speech urging China to cease its military and political threats against Taiwan. Addressing a large crowd outside the historic presidential office in central Taipei, Lai emphasized that peace is the only viable option and called for Beijing to respect the democratic choices of the Taiwanese people.
Lai Ching-te’s Call for Peace
Lai Ching-te, also known by his English name William Lai, repeated his call for dialogue with China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification. In his speech, Lai stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, highlighting Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and freedom.
“I also want to urge China to stop intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily, and to take on the global responsibility with Taiwan to work hard on maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region, to ensure the world is without the fear of war breaking out,” he said. “We also want to declare this to the world: Taiwan makes no concessions on democracy and freedom. Peace is the only option and prosperity is our goal for long-term peace and stability.”
Immediate Reactions and Ongoing Tensions
China, which had labeled Lai a “separatist” during his election campaign, did not immediately respond to his speech. Taiwan has faced increasing pressure from Chinese military activities near the island, including frequent air force and navy maneuvers.
Lai, 64, who served as vice president under Tsai Ing-wen for the past four years, urged Taiwanese citizens to remain realistic about the threat from China. He emphasized that Taiwan must be prepared to defend itself, even as it seeks peace.
“Fellow citizens, we have the ideal to pursue peace, but we must not have illusions,” he said. “Before China gives up using force to invade Taiwan, citizens must understand this: Even if we accept all of China’s claims and give up our sovereignty, China’s ambition to annex Taiwan will not disappear.”
Military Presence and Diplomatic Support
During his inauguration, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that six Chinese aircraft had crossed the Taiwan Strait’s median line, a boundary China does not recognize. One aircraft came within 43 nautical miles of the northern Taiwanese port city of Keelung.
Lai received strong applause for affirming that the Republic of China (Taiwan’s official name) and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, continuing the stance of his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen.
Global Reactions and Symbolic Gestures
The inauguration was attended by former U.S. officials, lawmakers from Japan, Germany, and Canada, and leaders from the few countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, such as Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai and expressed a desire to continue advancing shared interests and values.
Ceremony Highlights
Taiwanese fighter jets performed a flyover, and after Lai’s speech, he and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, the former de facto ambassador to the United States, led a sing-along with the crowd. Lai wore symbols representing Taiwan’s native butterfly and mustard flowers, emphasizing his connection to the island.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimistic tone of the inauguration, Lai faces significant domestic challenges. His Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its parliamentary majority in the January election, leading to ongoing political disputes. Recent parliamentary sessions have been marked by physical altercations over proposed reforms, indicating potential hurdles in implementing Lai’s policies.
Conclusion
Lai Ching-te’s inauguration speech set a tone of resilience and determination for Taiwan’s future, emphasizing peace and democracy in the face of external threats. The world watches closely as Taiwan navigates its complex relationship with China and addresses internal political dynamics.
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Written By Joe Brens