Taiwan’s new president calls on China to cease ‘intimidation’
SUMMARY
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te urged China to cease political and military threats against the self-governing island during his inauguration, which extended the rule of a party viewed with suspicion by Beijing. Lai, 64, who succeeded Tsai Ing-wen, emphasized maintaining the status quo and called for peace in the Taiwan Strait. Despite Beijing's claims over Taiwan, Lai rejects Chinese sovereignty, asserting only the island’s 23 million people can decide its future. The U.S., Taiwan's key ally and arms supplier, supported Lai’s inauguration. Although China has increased military pressure, Lai’s administration is expected to continue existing policies, favoring neither formal independence nor unification.
