Lai Ching-te was sworn in as the President of Taiwan on Monday amid its fight for de facto Independence and China’s escalating military threats.
Beijing has claimed Taiwan as its own territory and has been increasing its threats to annex the self-governing island by force if necessary.
China has also branded the 64-year-old Lai as a “dangerous separatist” who will bring “war and decline” to Taiwan, AFP reported.
Lai is taking over the reigns from Tsai Ing-wen, who led the island through eight years of economic and social development, that too amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Lai has spent the last two-plus years trying to convince the world that he is Tsai Ing-wen 2.0,” said Lev Nachman, an assistant professor at National Chengchi University.
The inaugural ceremony, where Lai and his Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim were sworn in, took place at the Japanese colonial-era Presidential Office Building in Taipei.
Lai and Hsiao are both a part of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
In show of support for the island’s democracy, eight heads of state and representatives of 51 international delegations, including the United States, Japan and Canada, were invited.
Taipei, with the support of only 12 allies, lacks diplomatic recognition on the global platform. However, it has its own government, military and currency and the majority of the 23 million population sees itself having a Taiwanese identity, separate from China.