Taiwan inauguration: the big difference between William Lai and Tsai Ing-wen on day 1

In his first speech as leader, Lai omits any reference to the 1992 consensus, saying the two sides of the Taiwan Strait ‘are not subordinate to each other’

Lai tells Taiwanese crowd the island should ‘improve the national security legal system … strengthen national defence, and build economic security’

Reading Time:2 minutes

Taiwan’s former president Tsai Ing-wen and new President William Lai Ching-te wave during the inauguration ceremony outside the presidential office building in Taipei on Monday, May 20. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:23pm, 20 May 2024Updated: 4:28pm, 20 May 2024

Taiwan’s new president, William Lai Ching-te, made a major pivot from his predecessor in his inauguration speech on Monday by not referring to the 1992 consensus.

When Lai’s predecessor Tsai Ing-wen first took office in 2016, she pledged “respect” to the “historical fact” of a tacit understanding made between her opposition party with the mainland, although she did not formally recognise it – and later rejected it.

The consensus is a tacit agreement between the two sides that there is one China but each side of the Taiwan Strait can have their own interpretation of what constitutes “China”.

Beijing views it as endorsing its “one-China principle”. It is also Beijing’s precondition for cross-strait dialogue and Taiwan’s involvement in international organisations.

“In 1992, the two institutions representing each side across the strait, through communication and negotiations, arrived at various joint acknowledgements and understandings,” Tsai said in her inauguration speech.

“It was done in a spirit of mutual understanding and a political attitude of seeking common ground while setting aside differences. I respect this historical fact.”