TRANSCRIPT
Lai Ching-te has taken office as Taiwan's new president, facing a deeply suspicious China, which labels him a separatist, as well as a fractious parliament domestically, with a ready-to-challenge opposition.
In his inauguration speech, Mr Lai expressed goodwill towards China, and called for both sides to pursue peace.
"The future of Taiwan Strait plays a decisive role to the future of the world and as the people who takes over the democratic progress of Taiwan. The new government will steer peace and maintain status quo being neither overbearing nor self-effacing. I also want to call on China to stop threatening Taiwan politically and militarily, take on global responsibility of maintaining peace and stability, to ensure the world is free from the fear of war.”
Beijing views proudly democratic Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.
Since Mr Lai's election victory in January, Taiwan has faced ongoing pressure from China, including regular air force and navy activities close to the island.
Last week, China's Taiwan Affairs Office stated that Mr Lai, referred to by China as the Taiwan region's new leader, must choose between peaceful development or confrontation.
Mr Lai, addressing the crowd outside the Japanese-colonial-era presidential office in central Taipei, repeated a call for talks with China, which views the proudly democratic island as its own territory, and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under China's control.
" I hope that China will face the reality of the Republic of China’s existence, respect the choices of the people of Taiwan, and in good faith, choose dialogue over confrontation, exchange over containment, and under the principles of parity and dignity, engage in cooperation with the legal government chosen by Taiwan’s people. This can start from the resumption of tourism on a reciprocal basis, and enrolment of degree students in Taiwanese institutions. Let us together pursue peace and mutual prosperity."
He also highlighted the increased military and diplomatic pressures from China.
“We have the ideal to pursue peace, but we must not have illusions. Before China giving 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."
Mr Lai, who is 64 and widely known by his English name William, also faces significant domestic challenges, as his Democratic Progressive Party (D-P-P) lost its parliamentary majority in the January election.
The party is also facing a strong opposition.
Just last Friday, politicians shoved, tackled and hit each other in parliament .in a bitter dispute about reforms to the chamber.
More disputes are expected when discussions resume on Tuesday [[21 may]].
In attendance at Mr Lai's inauguration ceremony were U-S officials dispatched by President Joe Biden, politicians from countries like Japan, Germany, and Canada, and leaders from some of the 12 countries which still maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Australia also sent a delegation of federal politicians, including senators Claire Chandler, from the Liberal Party, and Raff Ciccone [[chick-oney]] from the government.
Meanwhile, thousands gathered in front of the Democratic Progressive Party (D-P-P) headquarters in Taipei on Sunday [[19 may]] to protest against the ruling party.
The protesters, mainly supporters of the small opposition Taiwan People's Party (T-P-P), shouted slogans and waved guavas, symbolising dissatisfaction with the Democratic Progressive Party 's failure to deliver on election promises.
Among the protesters was 41-year-old Luo Chiah-Hsin.
"I think everyone already has developed a feeling of mistrust towards the government and politics in general. If Lai Ching-te is to be in power, I hope they can win back the trust of the people towards government."
Steve, a 38-year-old tech sector worker, also voiced his concerns.
"During the eight years of Tsai Ing-wen in power, there has been good and bad, which we have seen reflected in the vote in this past election. That none of the three parties could reach a majority in parliament clearly shows the feelings of the Taiwanese public towards the political situation."
