Taiwan’s President (President-in-Office) of the pro-U.S. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is pro-U.S. and independent, will take office on the 20th. Four months after winning the presidential election in January, he will attend an inauguration ceremony held at the presidential office in Taipei with Vice President-elect 蕭 琴 Xiao Mei-chin and officially start his four-year term.
Lai Ching-Te, who calls himself a “dangerous separatist,” must deal with China, which is showing off its force by invading the airspace and territorial waters around Taiwan. In a related development, the Chinese government criticized Lai Ching-te as an “official supporter of Taiwan’s independence” ahead of the presidential election won by Lai Ching-te in January, defining the election itself as a choice between war and peace. China has stressed that Taiwan’s move to officially declare independence will be the basis for attacking Taiwan. “Before Lai Ching-te’s inauguration, China has expanded its military activities, including simulated attacks on foreign ships near Taiwan,” Reuters reported.
Lai ching te’s inauguration will be attended by a delegation from the United States, including former National Economic Council (NEC) Chairman Brian Deese and former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. This is to show that democracies around the world are supporting Taiwan. However, while the United States is Taiwan’s most important supplier of weapons, it does not recognize Taiwan diplomatically. Currently, there are 12 developing countries that diplomatically recognize Taiwan as an independent country, such as Guatemala, Haiti, Palau, and Eswatini.
Lai Ching-te faced a difficult political situation in Korea. Except for Chen Shui-bian, he was the first president elected in 1996 to receive more than 50 percent of the vote. The National Assembly has failed to secure even a majority of seats in the National Assembly, which means he is in a tight race. Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Nationalist Party, has more seats than the DPP. Several members of the Nationalist Party visited China this year. Although Lai Ching- te promised to modernize Taiwan’s defense capabilities by purchasing submarines and other items, some point out that Lai Ching-te’s pledge is unreasonable because the DPP has not won a majority.
Although he was elected, he is in an uneasy position because he does not have much power. In the future, he will have to develop his power with the support of citizens. He should represent the country by becoming the leader that citizens want without being authoritative.
SOPHIA KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
