HKFP Lens: Pomp and ceremony as Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te sworn in as island’s new leader

Hong Kong Free Press

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Lai Ching-te was sworn in as Taiwan’s new leader on Monday, after Beijing branded him a “dangerous separatist.” Lai faces a full inbox, with political gridlock at home, sabre-rattling from Beijing, and dwindling allies abroad. HKFP rounds up photography from the inauguration day in Taipei.

Lai Ching-te is sworn in on May 20, 2024 as the president of Taiwan. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

Hsiao Bi-khim (right) is sworn in on May 20, 2024 as the Vice-President of Taiwan. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

Lai Ching-te and his wife Wu Mei-ju arrive at the Presidential Office Building on May 20, 2024. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

(From left to right) Taiwan's former President Tsai Ing-wen, President Lai Ching-te, and Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim. — (From left to right) Taiwan’s former President Tsai Ing-wen, President Lai Ching-te, and Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

In Lai’s first speech as the island’s president, delivered just after 11 am, Lai said Taiwan would continue to work with the world’s democracies to “combat disinformation, strengthen democratic resilience, address challenges and allow Taiwan to become the MVP [Most Valuable Player] of the democratic world.”

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te delivers his inaugural speech after being sworn into office during the inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on May 20, 2024. — Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te delivers his inaugural speech after being sworn into office during the inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on May 20, 2024. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

He said there existed “a strong international consensus that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are indispensable to global stability and prosperity,” and said that when it came to cross-strait relations, his government would “neither yield, nor provoke,” but “maintain the status quo.”

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (center) and Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim (right) gesture a heart outside the Presidential Office Building on May 20, 2024. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association. — Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te (center) and Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim (right) gesture a heart outside the Presidential Office Building on May 20, 2024. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (left) and Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim gesture a heart outside the Presidential Office Building on May 20, 2024. — Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te (left) and Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim gesture a heart outside the Presidential Office Building on May 20, 2024. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

Foreign delegation members attend the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan's new leader Lai Ching-te on May 20, 2024. — Foreign delegation members attend the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan’s new leader Lai Ching-te on May 20, 2024. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

Taiwan's military helicopters fly the island's flag above the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 20, 2024. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association. — Taiwan’s military helicopters fly the island’s flag above the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 20, 2024. Photo: Taipei News Photographer Association.

Soon after the speech was over, Taiwan’s military aircraft performed flyovers, which sent people’s smartphones skywards as they recorded the spectacle.