Taiwan inaugurates new president for ruling party’s historic third term after voters snub China’s warnings

Taipei CNN —

Lai Ching-te was sworn in as Taiwan’s president Monday, marking the start of a historic third consecutive term for the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has championed democracy in the face of years of growing threats from authoritarian China.

Lai, 64, a former doctor, was voted into office earlier this year alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top envoy to the United States.

Both leaders and their party are openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwan’s sovereignty. China’s ruling Communist Party says the self-ruling democracy is part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to take the island, by force if necessary.

Lai takes up the mantle from DPP predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, who bolstered the island international standing and recognition during her eight years in office.

In his inauguration speech later Monday, Lai is expected to emphasize that he will build on the foundations achieved by Tsai – the island’s first female leader – according to a memo obtained by CNN. He is also expected to project goodwill to China with a message of pursuing peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait.

Lai emerged victorious over rivals in the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party and the Taiwan People’s Party in a January election, which was fought over a mixture of livelihood issues as well as the thorny question of how to deal with its giant one-party state neighbor, China, which under leader Xi Jinping has grown more powerful and bellicose.

Voters shrugging off warnings from Beijing that the DPP’s re-election would increase the risk of conflict. The DPP holds the view that Taiwan is a de facto sovereign nation that should