"I hope that China will face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China [Taiwan's official name] and, with goodwill, choose dialogue over confrontation," William Lai Ching-te said in his inaugural address. The leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who today replaced Tsai Ing-wen (2016-2024), also from the DPP, assured that "peace has no price and war has no winners", and stressed his intention to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

The territory operates as a sovereign political entity, with its own diplomacy and armies, despite not being officially independent.

However, Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, and not a sovereign political entity, and has already warned that a formal declaration of independence would be seen as a declaration of war.

"There is broad international consensus that peace and stability across the Strait are indispensable for global security and prosperity," said Lai, a 64-year-old politician with a long political career in Taiwan, including as vice president (2020-2024) and prime minister (2017-2019).

Lai appealed to the Beijing authorities to end the "political and military intimidation" of Taiwan and respect the government democratically elected by the Taiwanese people.

"The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. All Taiwanese must unite to safeguard our nation, political parties must oppose annexation and no one should embrace the idea of abandoning our sovereignty to accumulate political power," he said.

Thousands of people gathered in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei for the ceremony, which was followed by a military parade and artistic performances with folk dancers, opera singers and rappers. Military helicopters flew in formation, carrying the Taiwanese flag.

Lai accepted congratulations from political colleagues and delegations from the 12 countries that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, as well as from political representatives from the US, Japan and several European countries.

He promised to continue efforts to maintain a stable relationship with the Chinese mainland while strengthening Taiwan's security by importing advanced fighter jets and other defense technologies from the US, expanding the domestic defense industry and strengthening regional partnerships with Taiwan's unofficial allies, such as the US, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai today.

"We look forward to working with President Lai and the full spectrum of Taiwan's political parties to advance our shared interests and values, deepen our long-standing unofficial relationship, and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," Blinken said in a statement.

Lai is seen as the heir to Tsai's progressive policies, including universal health care, support for higher education and minority groups. Taiwan was the first country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.

Lai previously described himself as a "Taiwan independence pragmatic worker", which drew criticism from Beijing.

He has since softened his stance and now supports maintaining the 'status quo' in the Taiwan Strait and dialogue with Beijing.

China and Taiwan have lived as two autonomous territories since 1949, when the former Chinese nationalist government took refuge on the island after being defeated in the civil war against the communists.

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