China's Foreign Ministry has declared "Taiwan independence" to be a "dead end" after the island democracy inaugurated its new president Lai Ching-te on Monday.
Lai called on Beijing to cease its intimidation of Taiwan in a speech during his inauguration ceremony, which marked the start of a historic third consecutive term for the island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has championed democracy in the face of years of growing threats from authoritarian China.
Lai, 64, a former doctor and vice president, was inaugurated alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan's top envoy to the United States.
Both leaders and their party are openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwan's sovereignty. China's ruling Communist Party says the self-ruling democracy is part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to take the island, by force if necessary.
"No matter what pretext or banner one uses, promoting Taiwan independence and secession is doomed to fail," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regularly scheduled briefing.
Lai used his 30-minute inaugural speech to broadcast a message of peace and declare that a "glorious era of Taiwan's democracy has arrived," describing the island as an "important link" in a "global chain of democracies," while reiterating a determination to defend its sovereignty.
"The future of the Republic of China Taiwan will be decided by its 23 million people. The future we decide is not just the future of our nation, but the future of the world," Lai said, using the formal name for Taiwan.
Lai takes up the mantle from his DPP predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, who bolstered the island's international standing and recognition during her eight years in office. Tsai, Taiwan's first female president, was unable to stand again because of term limits.
Lai emerged victorious over rivals in the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party and the Taiwan People's Party in a January election, which was fought over a mixture of livelihood issues as well as the thorny question of how to deal with its giant one-party state neighbor, China, which under leader Xi Jinping has grown more powerful and bellicose.
In his inaugural address, Lai called on China "to cease their political and military intimidation against Taiwan, share with Taiwan the global responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as well as the greater region, and ensure the world is free from the fear of war."
A soft-spoken political veteran, Lai hails from a more radical wing of the DPP, and was once an open supporter of Taiwan independence – a red line for Beijing.
Though his views have tempered since then, China never forgave him for his comments from six years ago, in which he described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence."
Lai has now said he favors the current status quo, proclaiming that "Taiwan is already an independent sovereign country" so there is "no plan or need" to declare independence, in a deliberately nuanced stance that mimics the one held by outgoing Tsai.
In his inaugural address, Lai said he hoped China would "face the reality of the Republic of China's existence, respect the choices of the people of Taiwan," and "engage in cooperation with the legal government chosen by Taiwan's people."
He called for the resumption of tourism on a reciprocal basis and enrollment of degree students in Taiwanese institutions as steps to "pursue peace and mutual prosperity."
Beijing has sought to portray Lai as inciting conflict, repeatedly framing the elections earlier this year as a choice between "peace and war."
On Monday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office reiterated that rhetoric, slamming "the leader of the Taiwan region" as "sending dangerous signals of seeking independence, provocations and undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."
Keep reading about the inauguration and what it means for China's relations with Taiwan.
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