May 20th 2024.
During his inauguration speech, Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, expressed his desire for peace with China and called on them to put an end to their military threats and intimidation towards the self-governed island. Lai, who was officially sworn into office on Monday, emphasized the need for China to acknowledge the reality of Taiwan's existence and respect the choices made by its people. He urged for dialogue instead of confrontation, stating that it is the path towards a peaceful relationship between the two nations.
Lai assured that Taiwan will neither back down nor provoke China, but will instead strive for peaceful relations. However, he also made it clear that the island will not hesitate to defend itself against any attempts of infiltration or aggression from China. This determination to safeguard their democracy was highlighted in Lai's speech, where he also mentioned the Democratic Progressive Party's stance on Taiwan's sovereignty.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office criticized Lai's speech, accusing him of promoting separatism and relying on foreign forces to seek independence. Spokesperson Chen Binhua stated that China will not tolerate any form of Taiwan independence activities. He also reiterated that, regardless of any changes on the island, both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and the reunification of the motherland is inevitable.
In addition to this, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced sanctions against Boeing and two other defense companies for their involvement in arms sales to Taiwan. Lai's inauguration comes at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan are at an all-time high, with Beijing continuously threatening to annex the island by force.
Lai, 64, takes over from Tsai Ing-wen, who led Taiwan through eight years of progress and development despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and China's aggressive advances. Tsai's successor, also known as William, is expected to continue her progressive policies, including universal healthcare, support for higher education, and recognition of minority groups, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage.
The inauguration was attended by international guests, including a delegation of five Australian MPs, who showed their support for Taiwan and its new president. With Lai at the helm, Taiwan's future remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure – the island nation will continue to stand strong and defend its sovereignty against any threats from China.
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