{"id":2247903,"date":"2024-05-19T11:07:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T15:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/taiwan-prepares-to-inaugurate-new-biden-esque-president\/"},"modified":"2024-05-19T11:07:26","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T15:07:26","slug":"taiwan-prepares-to-inaugurate-new-biden-esque-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/taiwan-prepares-to-inaugurate-new-biden-esque-president\/","title":{"rendered":"Taiwan readies for the inauguration of new President, Biden-style"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftaiwan-prepares-to-inaugurate-new-biden-esque-president%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2247903&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>TAIPEI, Taiwan \u2014<\/strong> President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Joe Biden<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/taiwan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Taiwanese<\/a> President-elect Lai Ching-te have more in common than just being former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vice-president\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>vice presidents<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Biden, 81, could be heading toward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>the end of his fourth year in office<\/a>, and Lai, 64, starts his first on Monday. Both men desire de-escalation in cross-strait tensions with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>China<\/a> while defending Taiwan\u2019s sovereignty and dealing with political problems at home.<\/p>\n<p>While the United States was focused on the 2024 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-primary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Republican presidential<\/a> primary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iowa-caucuses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>caucuses in Iowa<\/a>, Lai won Taiwan\u2019s presidential election in January by 7 percentage points, or 915,000 votes, arguing his campaign was a \u201cfight for the survival of the country.\u201d Although he retained the presidency for Taiwan\u2019s center-left party, the Democratic Progressive Party, over the historically powerful center-right to right-wing party, the Kuomintang, he did not receive a majority of the vote nor did his party gain outright control of Taiwan\u2019s unicameral legislature in the relatively young democracy.<\/p>\n<p>With Lai\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/policy\/foreign-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>foreign policy<\/a> toward the U.S. and China a centerpiece issue of his election, the U.S. has been concerned about how China will react to Lai\u2019s inauguration on Monday and his administration during the next four years. China, for instance, has increased aggression around Taiwan\u2019s Kinmen Islands since a February incident involving two Chinese fishermen and Taiwan\u2019s coast guard.<\/p>\n<p>Lai, a deep green, more liberal than Biden member of the DPP, once described himself as a \u201cworker for Taiwanese independence\u201d and China has denounced him and his vice president, former de facto Taiwanese ambassador to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim, as a \u201cseparatist duo.\u201d But his U.S. and China foreign policy appears to be an extension of that of his predecessor, former President Tsai Ing-Wen. The pair have advocated for the status quo between Taiwan and China while seeking a closer relationship with the U.S. as they prepare for the prospect of an invasion. Chinese President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xi-jinping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Xi Jinping<\/a> has ordered his military to be ready for reunification under the One China policy by 2027.<\/p>\n<p>During a pre-inauguration reception at Taipei Guest House, Lai told dignitaries, including the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, that he would \u201cbuild upon the solid foundation created by \u2026 Tsai over the past eight years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTogether, we will continue to work on the path of democracy and we will continue to engage with the world to make Taiwan stronger,\u201d he said through translators. \u201cWe will continue to defend Taiwan\u2019s democracy. We will continue to make Taiwan\u2019s economy more prosperous and vibrant democracy. In addition, we will also play a key role and become a key force in maintaining stability in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lai has shown \u201ca willingness to signal a pragmatic approach to outreach to Beijing, effectively a continuation of President Tsai\u2019s approach,\u201d according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/center-for-american-progress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Center for American Progress<\/a> senior vice president for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/national-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>national security <\/a>and international policy Alan Yu.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe question is if Beijing sees the opening offered by Lai, and missed with Tsai, to turn down the temperature, particularly at a moment of elevated geopolitical tension and a rocky domestic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/economy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>economic<\/a> situation,\u201d the former adviser to special presidential envoy for climate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-kerry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>John Kerry<\/a> at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/state-department\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>State Department<\/a> told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cI\u2019m skeptical, but if Beijing does, it will be slow and nearly invisible to the naked eye at the outset.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/aei\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>American Enterprise Institute<\/a> Asia senior fellow Zack Cooper, Lai \u201cmay feel that he has to push back a little bit more firmly against China in some cases.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s probably slightly more skeptical about Beijing\u2019s willingness to engage in a productive manner, but I think the basic logic of his approach will be quite similar [to that of Tsai],\u201d the former White House <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/national-security-council\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>National Security Council<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pentagon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Pentagon<\/a> adviser told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. and Taiwan are aligned regarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait amid \u201cgrowing threats\u201d from the Chinese Communist Party, per House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michael-mccaul\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Michael McCaul<\/a> (R-TX).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPresident-elect Lai\u2019s choice of prominent national security and foreign policy leaders represents both continuity in Taiwan policy and familiarity with U.S. policy spanning several administrations,\u201d McCaul told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Raymond Kuo, the inaugural director of the\u00a0RAND\u00a0Corporation\u2019s Taiwan Policy Initiative, agreed with McCaul that personnel is policy, including Lai\u2019s vice presidential nominee. Critics have scrutinized Lai\u2019s lack of foreign policy experience and clarity related to his defense posture, as well as controversial statements he has made in the past. For example, Lai said last July that \u201cwhen Taiwan\u2019s president can enter the White House, the political goal that we\u2019re pursuing will have been achieved.\u201d His remarks caused consternation in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHsiao Bi-khim was the former Taiwanese ambassador to the U.S. and was hailed for her leadership and diplomacy,\u201d Kuo told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cI expect her to play an important, supporting role in keeping U.S.-Taiwan relations steady.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aside from foreign policy, Kuo said the U.S. and Taiwan are also aligned on economic issues as they negotiate the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on\u00a021st-Century Trade and hope to secure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supply-chain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>supply chains<\/a>, such as those for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/semiconductors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>semiconductors<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Becoming president will create complications for Lai taking high-level meetings without eliciting a response from China, but McCaul said he sat down with Lai last April when he and other members of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>congressional delegation<\/a> traveled to Taiwan. Biden also dispatched a bipartisan group comprising former White House\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/national-economic-council\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Economic Council<\/a>\u00a0director <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brian-deese\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brian Deese<\/a>, former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/george-w-bush\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>George W. Bush<\/a> Deputy\u00a0Secretary of State\u00a0Richard Armitage, one-time American Institute in\u00a0Taiwan chair Richard Bush, and current chair of the U.S. de facto embassy in Taiwan Lauren Rosenberger to attend Lai\u2019s inauguration in his stead. <\/p>\n<p>Another congressional delegation is expected in Taipei on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe oppose unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. We do not support Taiwan independence. We support cross-strait dialogue and we expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means free from coercion,\u201d a senior Biden administration official told reporters last week, adding her colleagues had been in contact with their Taiwanese counterparts with respect to Lai\u2019s inaugural address. \u201cThroughout this sensitive period, we intend to keep channels of communication open both with Beijing through diplomatic and mil-mil channels, but also in keeping with our unofficial relationship with Taiwan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Simultaneously, Lai is contending with political issues at home, from an economy stagnating, in part because of Taiwan\u2019s aging population, to post-pandemic cost of living pressures. He will also have to grapple with a legislature controlled by the Kuomintang with the Taiwan People\u2019s Party, the latter of which outperformed expectations thanks to protest votes against the two major parties and skepticism that the U.S. will be a reliable partner.<\/p>\n<p>National Cheng Kung University political science professor Hung-Jen Wang underscored that Taiwan does not want any \u201csurprises\u201d with China, especially during a U.S. presidential <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>election year<\/a>. For Wang, Lai\u2019s priority will be building \u201cthe greatest possible consensus on the new domestic policies they intend to implement, ensuring that the public feels the government is addressing their needs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis inward-focused approach necessitates stability in foreign policy to ensure that U.S. support for\u00a0Taiwan\u00a0does not waver,\u201d the professor told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cThe appointment of the new ambassador to the United States by President Lai Ching-te will thus become crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRegarding cross-strait relations, while it may not be possible to achieve any breakthroughs, at the very least, the aim will be to avoid giving China too many excuses to escalate tensions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Taipei, Taiwan, President Joe Biden and President-elect Lai Ching-te share a unique bond as former vice presidents. Biden, 81, nears the end of his fourth year, while Lai, 64, begins his tenure on Monday. Both aim for peaceful resolutions in cross-strait relations with China, prioritizing Taiwan&#8217;s defense<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":2247904,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24013526397868-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2247903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24013526397868-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2247903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2247903"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2247903\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2247904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2247903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2247903"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2247903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}