Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim were sworn in as the 16th-term ROC (Taiwan) president and vice president, respectively, May 20 in Taipei City, with Lai pledging to create a democratic, peaceful and prosperous future for the country’s 23 million people.

On the morning of May 20, ROC 16th-term President Lai Ching-te, the First Lady, and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao attended inaugural celebrations in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office Building. President Lai delivered his inaugural address titled “Building a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous new Taiwan.”

President Lai Ching-te, the First Lady, and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, on the morning of May 20 at the Presidential Office met with heads of state, special envoys, and high-ranking government officials from diplomatic allies and friendly nations who were visiting Taiwan to attend the Inauguration Ceremony of the 16th-term President and Vice President of the Republic of China.

On the afternoon of May 20, President Lai Ching-te met with a Canadian parliamentary delegation to attend the inauguration of the 16th-term president and vice president. In remarks, President Lai expressed gratitude to Canada for supporting Taiwan, which demonstrates our deep friendship, and said that their visit is also significant as we work together through post-pandemic recovery.

On the afternoon of May 20, President Lai Ching-te met with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association President Tanizaki Yasuaki. President Lai thanked the government of Japan for speaking up for Taiwan at international venues, and for supporting Taiwan’s international participation.

President Tsai Ing-wen opened Cybersec 2024 May 14 in Taipei City, pledging to enhance Taiwan’s digital resilience and expand cooperation with like-minded partners to create a global information security defense alliance.

On the evening of May 10, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the 2024 Human Rights Press Awards ceremony. In her remarks, President Tsai thanked the media for reporting on and bringing awareness to many important human rights issues. The president stated that Taiwan remains committed to advancing human rights. In 2019, she said, Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, and in the following year, we established the National Human Rights Commission to better monitor and se

On the afternoon of May 9, President Tsai Ing-wen addressed the 2024 annual meeting of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council via video. In her remarks, she thanked the Consultative Council for passing annual resolutions in support of Taiwan’s international participation, and for its continued attention for Taiwan’s political and economic development.

On the afternoon of May 6, President Tsai Ing-wen met at her official residence with a delegation from the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation (CAPRI).

On the morning of April 16, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation from New Zealand’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan. In remarks, President Tsai stated that a great many challenges have buffeted the geopolitical landscape and economy of the Indo-Pacific. She said it is more important than ever that democracies stand as one to cooperate, and work together to safeguard regional peace and stability.