On Monday (May 20), Vice President Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as the President of the Republic of China at the Presidential Office in Taipei. U.S. Secretary of State issued a statement congratulating Lai Ching-te on his inauguration and congratulating the people of Taiwan for once again demonstrating strong democracy. Lai Ching-te emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait in his inaugural speech.
He wore a purple tie with a yellow pin on the lapel, adorned with a mustard flower, a common plant in Taiwan. He received two seals symbolizing his presidential authority from the former Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu.
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken congratulated Dr. Lai Ching-te on assuming office as the fifth democratically elected President of Taiwan. “We also congratulate the people of Taiwan for once again demonstrating the power of their strong and resilient democratic system,” he said.
Blinken wrote, “The partnership between the American and Taiwanese peoples rooted in democratic values continues to expand and deepen in trade, economy, culture, and civil relations.”
He also praised President Tsai Ing-wen for strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan over the past eight years. “We look forward to working with President Lai and all political parties in Taiwan to promote our common interests and values, deepen our longstanding unofficial relationship, and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” he stated.
Lai Ching-te expressed in his inaugural address that peace and security in the Taiwan Strait are indispensable. “The international community has strongly agreed that peace and security in the Taiwan Strait are essential for global security and prosperity,” he said.
“Peace is the only choice,” he stated. “Prosperity gained through lasting peace is our driving force.”
He described his government as a “peaceful navigator” committed to “maintaining the status quo” in the Taiwan Strait.
Lai Ching-te also expressed his desire for Taiwan to become the “MVP of the democratic world.” “There are no winners in war,” he remarked.
“Taiwan needs the world, just as the world needs Taiwan,” he mentioned in relation to semiconductor and artificial intelligence technologies.
Morris Chang, the founder of TSMC, was one of the witnesses to Lai Ching-te’s oath of office. TSMC is a leading semiconductor manufacturer that accounts for a significant portion of Taiwan’s GDP by producing many of the world’s most advanced chips.
Lai Ching-te called on the Chinese Communist Party to cease its actions in the Taiwan Strait and help maintain peace there. He expressed hope that China would acknowledge the existence of the Republic of China, respect the choice of the Taiwanese people, show sincerity, cooperate with Taiwan’s legitimate government elected by the people under the principles of mutual benefit and dignity through dialogue, exchange, and initiatives such as resuming bilateral tourism and student exchanges, rather than confrontation, to seek peace and mutual prosperity together.
“Mutual benefit and coexistence of prosperity will be our common goal,” he affirmed.
On the day of Lai Ching-te’s inauguration, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that three U.S. arms manufacturers were added to the “Unreliable Entity List” for supplying weapons to Taiwan. Boeing Defense, Space & Security, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and General Dynamics Land Systems were prohibited from engaging in import and export trade with China, making investments within China, or allowing senior management to enter China or apply for entry or residency permits.
During the inauguration ceremony of Lai Ching-te, there were more than 600 guests in the VIP area, including delegations from various countries, with representatives from 11 out of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies, as well as major international friends such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The U.S. delegation included former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.