In what is seen as a clear gesture of support for Tibetan government in exile by Taiwan, officials from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and lawmakers of the Tibetan parliament in exile attended the swearing in ceremony of President-elect of Taiwan Lai Ching-te on Monday in Taipei.
CTA’s Minister of Department of Information and International Relations Norzin Dolma, Secretary Karma Choeying, along with Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Member of Parliament Tenpa Yarphel as well as office of Tibet Taiwan’s Representative Kalsang Gyaltsen Bawa attended the official ceremony as guests.
Observers say that the invitation symbolises a gesture of solidarity and mutual recognition between Taiwan and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile particularly given that the Tibetan Government-in-Exile is not recognised by China and is labelled as a “separatist” entity.
This act of diplomatic inclusion reflects Taiwan’s broader commitment to democratic values and self-determination, fostering a sense of shared purpose and cooperation in the face of common geopolitical pressure as China regards the democratic island nation as an integral part of its territory rather than an independent country. President-elect Lai Ching-te, known for his pro-sovereignty views, has consistently vowed to defend Taiwan against what he perceived as Chinese “intimidation.” He emphasised the island’s autonomy, aligning with the party’s commitment to preserving Taiwan as a distinct entity from mainland China.
Lai-Ching te was sworn in as Taiwan’s new president on Monday, succeeding Tsai Ing-wen who led Taiwan through economic and social development amid China’s military threats. Lai, who served as vice president under Tsai Ing-wen for the past four years, took the oath of office in central Taipei. In his inauguration speech, Lai emphasised that peace is the preferred option and declared that Taiwan will make no concessions on democracy and freedom. He called on China to stop its military and political threats, stating, “China should jointly shoulder the responsibility with Taiwan to ensure peace to ensure the world is without the fear of war breaking out,” he said
Lai Ching-te has consistently voiced strong support for Taiwan’s autonomy and independence, which has provoked vehement opposition from the Chinese government. His unwavering stance has led Beijing to call him a “dangerous separatist.” Under Lai’s leadership, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) staunchly promotes Taiwan’s distinct identity and firmly rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the island. Despite President Lai’s calls for dialogue and negotiations, the Chinese government has adamantly refused any discussions, interpreting Lai’s proposals as a direct challenge to China’s territorial integrity.
