William Lai’s critics cry foul over Taiwanese leader’s ‘tougher than expected’ inauguration speech
- Opposition groups in Taiwan warn of uneasy stand-off with Beijing after William Lai Ching-te’s unexpectedly assertive rhetoric on cross-strait ties
- However, the international community largely praises Lai’s swearing-in ceremony as demonstration of a ‘vibrant democracy’
While the international community has largely praised Lai’s inauguration as a demonstration of a vibrant democracy, opposition groups and observers in Taiwan have criticised his unexpectedly assertive rhetoric, which has irked Beijing.
He also urged the island’s residents not to harbour any illusions about Beijing.
“So long as China refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, all of us in Taiwan ought to understand that even if we accept the entirety of China’s position and give up our sovereignty, China’s ambition to annex Taiwan will not simply disappear,” he said.
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William Lai sworn in as new Taiwan leader amid pledge to keep status quo across the strait
Beijing views Taiwan as its territory that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary. Like most countries, the US does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state but is opposed to any unilateral cross-strait status quo change by force.
