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Taiwan's New President William Lai Signals Tougher Stance on China

Lai's inauguration speech emphasizes sovereignty and calls for peace while rejecting Beijing's claims.

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Lai Ching-te, pictured earlier this month, was inaugurated as Taiwan's president Monday.

Overview

  • Lai's speech marks a significant shift from his predecessor, avoiding mention of the 1992 consensus.
  • Beijing condemns Lai's remarks, labeling them as promoting separatism and increasing military risks.
  • The new administration faces domestic challenges, including a divided parliament and socioeconomic issues.
  • International reactions are mixed, with the U.S. and Japan expressing support for Taiwan's democracy.
  • Lai proposes resuming tourism and student exchanges with China despite heightened tensions.