The inauguration of the new leader of Taiwan, Lai Qingde, took place

Taiwan’s new chief executive, Lai Qingde, officially took office on Monday. His inauguration ceremony passed in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei. In his speeches Lai expressed hope that China will stop military threats and intimidation of the Taiwanese people and move towards peaceful cooperation.

He statedthat under his rule, Taiwan will not provoke China to anything, but will not make concessions to it either. Taiwan will “maintain the status quo.” He will defend democracy and cooperate with other democratic countries.

China, according to Lai Qingde, must recognize the choice of the Taiwanese people and begin a mutually beneficial dialogue. Its first manifestations could be the resumption of bilateral tourism and permission for Chinese students to study at Taiwanese universities.

However, the new leader warned, China’s ambitions to annex Taiwan will not go away, so the island must stick to its previous “four pillars of peace” policy: strengthening defense, strengthening economic security, a stable power structure and values-based diplomacy.

Lai Qingde also called for the development of new technologies in order to transform Taiwan from a “silicon island” (Taiwan is the world’s main manufacturer of microchips and one of the leaders in the electronics industry) into an “artificial intelligence island”, to invest in robotics, quantum computers and other promising innovations.

• Before his election, 64-year-old Lai Qingde was deputy to former island leader Tsai Ing-wen. The new leader belongs to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
• Lai Qingde, like his party, does not advocate either the declaration of independence of Taiwan or the annexation of the island to China. He has repeatedly said that Taiwan is already a sovereign state, so it is not necessary to further declare its independence. However, before the elections, China repeatedly called Lai Qingke a “dangerous separatist” and refused negotiations. Lai Qingde’s vision for future relations with China “brotherly”but will continue to strengthen the island’s defenses.
• China considers Taiwan part of the country’s territory. Taipei is invited to come under the control of the continental authorities according to the principle of “one country, two systems.” The ruling Communist Party of China is strongly opposed to the island’s independent policies and international cooperation.