TAIPEI, Jan 13 — Pugnacious, cussed and a “pragmatic employee for Taiwan’s independence”, veteran politician Lai Ching-te will step into the worldwide highlight because the democratic island’s subsequent president to navigate an more and more turbulent relationship with China.
The 64-year-old Harvard graduate rode to victory in immediately’s election on the promise that he would defend Taiwan’s democracy and resist Beijing’s claims on the island.
His win delivers an unprecedented third consecutive time period for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and in his victory speech Lai hailed it as a “victory for the group of democracies”.
“We are telling the worldwide group that between democracy and authoritarianism, we are going to stand on the facet of democracy,” he mentioned.
He has vowed to proceed outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen’s insurance policies of build up Taiwan’s army capabilities as a defence deterrence in opposition to a possible invasion from China.
But his outspokenness — which he has moderated in latest months on his path to the presidency — has drawn the ire of Beijing.
China regards him as a “cussed employee” for Taiwan’s independence and a “saboteur of peace”, warning that the soft-spoken politician could be the reason for “conflict and decline” for the island.
“There are robust doubts on China’s facet about his deep-seated convictions”, mentioned Mathieu Duchatel, head of the Asia programme at Montaigne Institute in Paris, including that at this stage, “(Lai) desires above all to reassure”.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen (left) waves beside President-elect Lai Ching-te (second proper) throughout a rally outdoors the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on January 13, 2024, after Lai gained the presidential election. — eNM pic
Son of a coal miner
Unlike most of Taiwan’s political elite, Lai rose from humble origins.
Born in 1959, Lai was raised by his mom alongside 5 different siblings in a rural hamlet in New Taipei City, after his coal miner father died when he was a toddler.
After he graduated from Harvard University, he returned to work in a hospital in southern Taiwan earlier than turning his consideration to politics in 1996 in the course of the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis.
“My defining second got here as China’s army adventurism… threatened our shores with dwell fireplace workout routines and missiles,” he wrote in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal final July.
“I made a decision I had an obligation to take part in Taiwan’s democracy and assist shield this fledgling experiment from those that wished it hurt.”
He served as a lawmaker, a mayor of the southern metropolis of Tainan and a premier earlier than he was tapped to be vice chairman to President Tsai Ing-wen, whom he’ll now succeed.
Under Tsai’s two-term tenure relations with China plummeted — with all high-level communications minimize off — as she defended the island’s sovereignty and refused to acknowledge Beijing’s declare over it.
During his marketing campaign for workplace, Lai caught to her stance that Taiwan is “already impartial”, and doesn’t have to formally declare itself separate from China.
He has additionally mentioned he’s keen to have exchanges with China “on the preconditions of parity and dignity”, explaining that nearer ties for financial prosperity shouldn’t be traded for Taiwan’s sovereignty.
“Accepting China’s ‘one-China’ precept isn’t true peace,” he mentioned, referring to a Beijing doctrine that Taiwan is part of China.
“Peace with out sovereignty is rather like Hong Kong. It is a false peace.”
Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te (centre) addresses supporters as he stands together with his working mate Hsiao Bi-khim (proper) throughout a rally outdoors the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on January 13, 2024, after Lai gained the presidential election. — eNM pic
‘Much fiercer’
During his time as premier, he was extra vocal than Tsai concerning the subject of independence, which some say has prime allies just like the United States — Taiwan’s important weapons supplier — involved about how he’ll deal with relations with China.
“The query shall be to what extent Lai can stick with the cautious and average pathway carved out by Tsai,” mentioned Amanda Hsiao of the International Crisis Group.
Sarah Liu of the University of Edinburgh mentioned a Lai administration would proceed on a path of “much less financial reliance on China”.
“Through strengthening its worldwide standing, Taiwan will acquire extra allies to additional consolidate its democracy,” she mentioned.
Tsai made a reference to his pugnacity in a marketing campaign advert launched this yr forward of the ballot.
“But I did it for the security of my nation… as a result of defending Taiwan’s democracy is an important,” Lai responded earlier than Tsai handed him the steering wheel. — eNM
