Democracy Dies in Darkness

Taiwan swears in new president, stands up to Chinese aggression

Lai Ching-te vowed to continue Taiwan’s defense and foreign policy of avoiding tensions with China while also standing up for the island democracy’s freedoms.

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Updated May 20, 2024 at 4:45 a.m. EDT|Published May 19, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EDT
New Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te vowed to stand up for the island democracy’s freedoms in his inauguration speech May 20. (Video: Reuters)
8 min

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan on Monday inaugurated Lai Ching-te as its new leader, ushering in an unprecedented third consecutive presidential term for the Democratic Progressive Party, which has transformed the island democracy into a bulwark against Chinese aggression and brushed off increasingly ominous threats from Beijing.

Lai — vice president under outgoing leader Tsai Ing-wen, who has reached her two-term limit — has vowed to continue his predecessor’s defense and foreign policy approach of trying to avoid inflaming tensions with China while also standing up for Taiwan’s freedoms and way of life.