Pugnacious, stubborn and a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan’s independence”, veteran politician Lai Ching-te will step into the international spotlight as the democratic island’s next president to navigate an increasingly turbulent relationship with China.
The 64-year-old Harvard graduate rode to victory in Saturday’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 term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and in his victory speech Lai hailed it as a “victory for the community of democracies”.
“We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy,” he said.
He has vowed to continue outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen’s policies of building up Taiwan’s military capabilities as a defence deterrence against a potential invasion from China.
But his outspokenness — which he has moderated in recent months on his path to the presidency — has drawn the ire of Beijing.
China regards him as a “stubborn worker” for Taiwan’s independence and a “saboteur of peace”, warning that the soft-spoken politician would be the cause of “war and decline” for the island.
“There are strong doubts on China’s side about his deep-seated convictions”, said Mathieu Duchatel, head of the Asia programme at Montaigne Institute in Paris, adding that at this stage, “(Lai) wants above all to reassure”.
