Lai Ching-te elected as new president of Taiwan, what it means for ties with China
Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was on Saturday elected as the new president of Taiwan, an outcome that is likely to spark fury from Beijing, which has previously referred to Lai as a dangerous separatist. Lai succeeds Taiwan’s first female leader, Tsai Ing-wen, who is reviled by China for standing up for the island’s autonomy.
Lai has pledged to continue Tsai’s cross-strait policies, including Taiwan’s right to self-determination in the face of China’s claim that the island is its territory. Like Tsai, he plans to maintain tight links to the US, which supplies most of the island’s weapons, and build more ties with democracies in Europe and elsewhere.
Lai has now been given the unenviable task of navigating delicate relationships with two superpowers, China and US, who are increasingly asserting their dominance in the region with President Xi Jinping repeatedly saying that unification of Taiwan with mainland China is inevitable.
Lai, who trained as a doctor and served as mayor of the southern city of Tainan, once called himself a pragmatic worker for Taiwanese independence, a phrase that angered Beijing and raised concerns in Washington about his ability to manage relations with China.
The 64-year-old has since softened his stance, and is open to talks with China — on an equal footing.
While successive Chinese Communist leaders have vowed to eventually achieve reunification, Xi has repeatedly said the Taiwan issue should not be passed down generation after generation, linking the mission to his mid-century goal of national rejuvenation.
Though Beijing has labelled Lai a dangerous separatist, the new Taiwanese president has said he will maintain the status quo and pursue peace through strength. Peace is priceless and war has no winners, Lai told reporters in a press conference in which he appeared alongside his vice presidential running mate Hsiao Bi-khim. However, accepting China’s one-principle proposition is not true peace, Lai said. Peace without sovereignty is just like Hong Kong. It is fake peace.
Lai has stressed he will continue the policy direction of incumbent president Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan will continue to build up its defense deterrence amid geopolitical tensions. The pursuit of peace relies on strength, not the goodwill of the aggressor, Lai said, vowing to bolster Taiwan’s military and economic strength.
The election of Lai Ching-te as the new president of Taiwan is expected to have significant implications for the island’s ties with China. Lai, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, has vowed to continue the cross-strait policies of his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, including Taiwan’s right to self-determination. This stance is likely to anger Beijing, which has previously called Lai a dangerous separatist.
Lai, a former doctor and mayor, has faced criticism for his strong pro-Taiwan independence stance in the past. However, he has since adopted a more conciliatory tone and expressed a willingness to engage in talks with China. Despite this, Lai has emphasized the importance of maintaining Taiwan’s sovereignty and has rejected China’s proposed one-principle proposition as a basis for peace.
The relationship between Taiwan and China has long been a contentious issue, with Beijing considering the island part of its territory and vowing eventual reunification. Lai’s election as president now presents the challenge of managing relations with both China and the United States, as tensions between these superpowers continue to escalate in the region.
Lai intends to maintain close ties with the US, which provides military support to Taiwan, and strengthen relationships with democracies in Europe and other parts of the world. He believes that peace can only be achieved through strength, and has pledged to enhance Taiwan’s military and economic capabilities to ensure its defense deterrence.
As Lai Ching-te assumes the presidency, the eyes of the world will be on his efforts to navigate Taiwan’s complex relationships with China and the US. His commitment to upholding Taiwan’s autonomy and pursuing peace through strength will undoubtedly shape the future of the region. With tensions running high in the Taiwan Strait, Lai’s leadership will play a crucial role in maintaining stability and safeguarding Taiwan’s interests in the face of growing geopolitical challenges.
