Combative, cussed and a “pragmatic employee for Taiwan's independence,” veteran Lai Ching-te will step into the worldwide highlight as the following president of the democratic island who must navigate an more and more turbulent relationship with China.
The 64-year-old Harvard graduate received Saturday's election by promising to defend Taiwan's democracy and oppose Beijing's claims to the island.
His victory marks an unprecedented third straight time period for the Democratic Progressive Occasion and in his victory speech, Lai referred to as it a “victory for the group of democracies.”
“We inform the worldwide group that between democracy and authoritarianism, we are going to stand on the aspect of democracy,” he mentioned.
He has pledged to proceed outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen's coverage of increase Taiwan's army capabilities as a defensive deterrent towards a attainable invasion from China.
However his outspokenness – which he has moderated in latest months on his path to the presidency – has angered Beijing.
China sees him as a “cussed employee” for Taiwan's independence and a “saboteur of peace”, warning that the mild-mannered politician would carry “struggle and decline” to the island.
Mathieu Duchatel, head of the Asia program on the Montaigne Institute in Paris, mentioned there are sturdy doubts on the Chinese language aspect about his deeply held beliefs. He added that Lai primarily desires to reassure at this stage.
Son of a miner
In contrast to most of Taiwan's political elite, Lai got here from humble origins.
Born in 1959, Lai was raised by his mom together with 5 different siblings in a rural hamlet in New Taipei Metropolis after his father, a miner, died when he was a toddler.
After graduating from Harvard College, he returned to work at a hospital in southern Taiwan earlier than turning his consideration to politics in 1996, through the Third Taiwan Strait Disaster.
“My defining second got here when Chinese language army adventurism… threatened our shores with dwell fireplace workout routines and missiles,” he wrote in an op-ed for The Wall Avenue Journal final July.
“I made a decision it was my responsibility to take part in Taiwan's democracy and assist defend this fledgling experiment from those that wished it evil.”
He was a lawmaker, mayor of the southern metropolis of Tainan and prime minister earlier than being requested to turn into vice chairman to President Tsai Ing-wen, whom he’ll now succeed.
Beneath Tsai's two-term time period, relations with China plummeted – with all high-level communications reduce off – as she defended the island's sovereignty and refused to acknowledge Beijing's declare to it.
Throughout his election marketing campaign, Lai maintained her place that Taiwan is “already unbiased” and doesn’t have to formally declare itself separate from China.
He has additionally mentioned he’s prepared to alternate views with China “beneath the situations of equality and dignity,” explaining that nearer ties for financial prosperity shouldn’t be traded for Taiwan's sovereignty.
“Accepting China's one-China precept is just not true peace,” he mentioned, referring to Beijing's doctrine that Taiwan is a part of China.
“Peace with out sovereignty is like Hong Kong. It’s a false peace.”
'Way more intense'
Throughout his time as prime minister, he was extra outspoken than Tsai on the independence situation, with some saying high allies corresponding to the US – Taiwan's major arms provider – are involved about how he’ll deal with relations with China.
“The query will likely be to what extent Lai can follow the cautious and reasonable path that Tsai has set,” mentioned Amanda Hsiao of the Worldwide Disaster Group.
Sarah Liu of the College of Edinburgh mentioned a Lai authorities would proceed on the trail of “much less financial dependence on China”.
“By strengthening its worldwide standing, Taiwan will achieve extra allies to additional consolidate its democracy,” she mentioned.
Tsai referenced his preventing spirit in a marketing campaign advert launched forward of this yr's election.
“You're a lot fiercer than me… you rise up and struggle with others,” she mentioned in a tightly edited business that confirmed the 2 driving alongside a picturesque freeway.
“However I did it for the safety of my nation… as a result of defending Taiwan's democracy is a very powerful factor,” Lai responded earlier than Tsai handed him the steering wheel.
AFP
