Taiwan’s new president, William Lai, has been inaugurated with a promise to deepen ties with other democracies around the world, despite the ongoing threat from China to bring Taiwan under its control. In his first speech after being sworn in, Lai warned that China’s long-held ambitions pose a threat to global security, even if Taiwan were to meet all of Beijing’s pre-conditions. Lai emphasized the need for dialogue over confrontation and offered China the opportunity to choose “parity and unity.” He also highlighted the challenges to global peace and stability posed by China’s military actions and coercion.
China has seen Taiwan as a breakaway region for the past 70 years, leading to aspirations of reunification with the mainland. President Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of military power to achieve this goal, raising concerns among Western allies. China’s actions, including military aircraft and drones around Taiwan, have increased tensions in the region. Lai stressed the importance of not harboring any delusions about China’s intentions and the need to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty in the face of military threats.
Lai has committed to upholding the “four commitments” established by his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, including the principle that Taiwan and China should never be subordinate to each other. This commitment is a sticking point for Beijing, which has proposed a “one country, two systems” model for Taiwan’s incorporation into China. Lai’s speech emphasized the need to end political and military intimidation from China while maintaining the status quo. Western allies, such as the EU and the US, also support the status quo and have unofficial ties with Taiwan.
Taiwanese officials hope that tensions between Western allies and Beijing over various issues, including human rights violations and unfair trade practices, will work in their favor to expand Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Lai proposed strengthening international cooperation in areas like artificial intelligence, climate change, and regional security as a way to build a peaceful global community and prevent war. While Lai’s inauguration was attended by heads of state from small-sized nations still developing formal relations with Taiwan, Western democracies sent lower-ranking officials to avoid upsetting China.
The inauguration ceremony for President Lai, which attracted about 20,000 attendees, showcased Taiwan’s cultural diversity and artistic creativity through various performances. Lai’s emphasis on peace through strength and cooperation with other democratic countries signals a continued commitment to preserving Taiwan’s sovereignty in the face of China’s threats. The renewed momentum in Taiwan’s international relations, while not likely to lead to formal diplomatic recognition, demonstrates growing support from Western allies and smaller nations. Lai’s proposal to pursue bilateral investment agreements and enhance international cooperation in key areas reflects Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its position on the global stage.
