Head of State
Lai Ching-te sworn in as new president of Taiwan
Lai Ching-te clearly won the presidential election on January 13th. photo
© Chiang Ying-ying/AP
Lai won the election in Taiwan on January 13th. Now he is officially taking over the official duties. What does he plan to do with the democratic island republic, which is in constant conflict with Beijing?
Lai Ching-te is the new president of the East Asian island republic Taiwan was sworn in. The 64-year-old politician from the Democratic Progressive Party and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim took their oath at the presidential residence in Taipei. The medical graduate replaced Tsai Ing-wen as head of state, who was no longer allowed to run after two terms in office. While its powerful neighbor China sees the democratically governed island republic as part of its national territory, Lai sees Taiwan as an independent country.
Lai clearly won the presidential election on January 13th with around 40 percent of the vote. This is the third time in a row that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is the head of state, who is also the commander in chief of the armed forces. However, the DPP lost its absolute majority in parliament and is therefore dependent on alliances.
In terms of foreign policy, Lai is likely to want to continue following the line of his predecessor Tsai. China exerts political and military pressure on the island and counts it as part of its territory, even though Taipei has had an independent government for decades.