Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan visited Europe in early May of this year. During the visit, they held trilateral talks with French President Macron and European Commission President Von der Leyen. From May 7th to 8th, they conducted a state visit to Serbia, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the US bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia. During the visit, they held talks with Serbian President Vucic, met with journalists, and attended a welcome banquet. From May 8th to 10th, they visited Hungary for a state visit, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary. During the visit, they held talks with Hungarian President Ader and Prime Minister Orban, met with journalists, attended a welcome banquet, and jointly announced the elevation of China-Hungary relations to a new era of comprehensive strategic partnership.
Russian President Putin visited Beijing from May 16th to 17th. This is Putin’s second visit to China in a little over half a year and his first overseas trip since winning reelection in March. On October 18, 2023, Putin attended the 3rd Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum held by Xi Jinping in Beijing. It is worth noting that on February 4, 2022, Putin attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. However, just 20 days later, on February 24, he initiated a special military operation, invading Ukraine. His initial boast of quickly conquering Ukraine within 96 hours has since prolonged into a two-year war. With the current visit to China, one may wonder if Putin intends to incite Xi Jinping to follow suit and launch a similar military operation to invade Taiwan?
The current international situation is fraught with turmoil. In Europe, conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war are raging on. In the South China Sea, Chinese and Filipino vessels are facing off, while China and India are engaged in border clashes. In the Taiwan Strait, Chinese military ships provoke by crossing the median line regularly, and tensions in the Korean Peninsula remain high. Domestically, the US is embroiled in conflicts arising from the Israel-Hamas war, leading to societal divisions. Following this, the country will soon enter a period of partisan contention in the upcoming presidential election. These circumstances have raised concerns among Taiwanese-Americans about whether the US would prioritize Taiwan’s security amidst its own challenges.
On May 20th, Taiwan’s newly-elected President and Vice President, Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Mei-chin, will be inaugurated. They will swear in front of Sun Yat-sen’s portrait at the Presidential Office as the 16th President and Vice President of the Republic of China. The day will be filled with military parades, inauguration speeches, aerial salutes, mass choruses, as well as other ceremonial activities, which will be broadcasted globally for those interested in Taiwan to witness.
It is believed that Taiwanese communities worldwide are eagerly anticipating this long-awaited moment and are sending well-wishes for a successful inauguration ceremony. However, some may question the expectations placed upon the new President and Vice President. The issue of Taiwan’s official status under the name of the Republic of China remains a topic of debate and confusion, especially in international contexts. Previous Taiwanese presidents have closely associated Taiwan with the Republic of China, causing discomfort for the People’s Republic of China. The complex dynamics surrounding Taiwan’s sovereignty and international recognition continue to be a point of contention.
President Tsai Ing-wen’s tenure has been marked by efforts to elevate Taiwan’s international presence. However, her firm attachment to the Republic of China and its intertwined identity with Taiwan have raised questions about her government’s representations to the world. As Taiwan prepares for a new leadership under President Lai Ching-te, clarity on Taiwan’s status and its path to international recognition and participation remains a crucial concern for many.
Taiwan’s history spans across Dutch, Zheng, Qing, Japanese, KMT, and ROC administrations for nearly 400 years, marked by the endurance and resilience of its people amidst various challenges and pressures. While Taiwan has made significant strides on the global stage, issues regarding official recognition and legal documents representing Taiwan’s sovereignty persist. President Lai Ching-te’s upcoming term presents an opportunity for Taiwan to address these complexities and work towards a clearer international standing.
As Taiwan navigates its position on the world stage, the incoming government under President Lai Ching-te faces the task of addressing longstanding debates and clarifying Taiwan’s legal status and international presence. A closer examination of historical treaties and documents will be essential to navigate Taiwan’s path towards greater international recognition.