Lai Ching-te aims to strengthen Taiwan but maintain the status quo
It’s already proving tough
THOUSANDS GATHERED in front of Taipei’s presidential office on May 20th to celebrate the inauguration of William Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s fifth democratically elected president. Among them were 400 supporters from his home-town, Wanli. “Everyone is very proud,” said one of them, Chen Kuo-lung. In the past the small fishing community on Taiwan’s north coast was known only for its tasty crabs. “Now we’ve also produced a president,” boasted Mr Chen, adding that China has suppressed Taiwan to make it momowuwen, “obscure and unknown”, as Wanli used to be. He hopes Mr Lai can do for Taiwan’s profile globally what he has done for Wanli’s at home.
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This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “A difficult start”
Asia May 25th 2024
From the May 25th 2024 edition
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