{"id":87314,"date":"2024-06-06T15:46:33","date_gmt":"2024-06-06T05:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/?p=87314"},"modified":"2024-06-06T15:46:33","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T05:46:33","slug":"letter-from-taiwan-inauguration-day-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/letter-from-taiwan-inauguration-day-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter from Taiwan: inauguration day 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 20 May 2024 inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, was an exuberant and giddy celebration of democracy. The square in front of the presidential office was filled\u2014with performers dressed as food, dancers moving around a giant blue horse, hip-hop artists rapping, and a hard-rock band roaring out lyrics all about \u2018Standing Up Like a Taiwanese\u2019.<\/p>\n

This message summed up Lai\u2019s inaugural speech as well as the feeling in the crowd. What really got the crowd cheering was the new president and his vice president making the heart sign with their hands and dancing on the stage.<\/p>\n

The event was uniquely Taiwanese.\u00a0I was part of the crowd and pleased to be back in Taipei to see this peaceful transition and example of democracy in action, all this taking place just across the straits from the People’s Republic of China.<\/p>\n

I am unwelcome in Beijing, having visited Taiwan in 2021 while I was the US ambassador to Palau.\u00a0The trip was to mark the opening of a\u00a0pandemic travel bubble between Taiwan and Palau.\u00a0I accompanied Palau\u2019s president, Surangel Whipps, Junior, on this historic visit.\u00a0Palau\u2019s president was also back in Taipei at the time of the inauguration last month, representing one of the 12 remaining countries that continue to recognise Taiwan as a\u00a0sovereign\u00a0nation.<\/p>\n

The date 20 May has historic significance for Taiwan.\u00a0It marks two key events in its transition to democracy\u2014from the declaration of martial law in 1949 to the first free election of a Taiwanese president in 1996.<\/p>\n

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The 2024 inauguration was notable for the happiness and confidence that was evident in the gathered crowds.\u00a0Despite threats from Beijing, the Taiwanese people are resilient and proud of what is taking place in their island.\u00a0They have a vibrant democracy (too vibrant sometimes\u2014note scenes in its parliament of representatives scuffling), a dynamic economy that produces more than 90 percent of the world\u2019s most sophisticated silicon chips, and an increasing realisation that it is the people of Taiwan who must determine its future and be prepared to defend what is a great success story.<\/p>\n

The Taiwanese people are generally pragmatic and appear comfortable with the status quo in relation to China.\u00a0The public\u2019s declining desire for political union with China has fallen to record low levels according to biannual polls conducted by Taiwan\u2019s National Chengchi University’s Election Study Center.\u00a0Taiwanese people want and will need the help of their friends like the United States to secure this peaceful future.<\/p>\n

China\u2019s reaction to Taiwan\u2019s new president has been as negative as expected.\u00a0Official statements have labelled Lai a \u2018troublemaker\u2019. There has been no interest in his invitation to resume talks on the future status of Taiwan. Chinese officials have declared Taiwan independence a dead end.<\/p>\n

Here in Taipei, the Taiwanese people I have met\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0seem\u00a0intimidated by the threat of\u00a0an invasion from the mainland.\u00a0Yes,\u00a0all qualified\u00a0men are required to serve a year in the military, and the government is increasing its defence spending.\u00a0But in an echo of\u00a0one Pacific leader\u2019s statement,\u00a0Taiwan\u2019s people\u00a0seem sincere in their desire to be friends with everyone and the enemies of no one.\u00a0I am struck by the positive outlook young Taiwanese have about their future.\u00a0This is\u00a0despite\u00a0the\u00a0near daily incursions into Taiwan\u2019s military defence zone by the Chinese navy and air force.<\/p>\n

The peaceful transition and inauguration of the new president was a celebration of Taiwan\u2019s success\u2014and deservedly so.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 20 May 2024 inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, was an exuberant and giddy celebration of democracy. 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