Tsai confers medals of honor to administrative team｜Taiwan News

President Tsai Ing-wen presented medals to members of her administration on Monday, to thank them for their contributions to Taiwan. She reserved special honors for her vice president Lai Ching-te and former U.S. representative Hsiao Bi-khim, who will be sworn in as president and vice president next week. Tsai said she was confident that Lai, with his vision and commitment to the people, will achieve progress for Taiwan in the years ahead.

With just a week left to her term, President Tsai Ing-wen presented medals to members of her administration. She reserved a special honor for her vice president, Lai Ching-te.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
I want to thank Vice President Lai Ching-te for working alongside me in laying an important foundation for our nation’s development. I believe that his vision for the nation and his commitment to the people will bring even more progress and change in our nation’s next chapter. I want to once again thank every member of my administrative team for creating a globally recognized Taiwan. I believe that no matter where we go next, we will all continue to work hard for the nation.

Also on Monday, an official portrait of President-elect Lai was unveiled.

The image, the same one used in his presidential campaign, features his signature middle part and a slight smile. In the run-up to May 20, Lai’s Inauguration Day speech is also drawing attention. According to Congressional Research Service report, Lai intends to offer more of the same in cross-strait policy, and has assured Washington and even Beijing that he won’t pursue issues related to Taiwan independence, to avoid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Lai Shyh-bao
KMT lawmaker
For now it appears that his address will center on two points. The first is national unity. The other is promoting cross-strait peace. But when it comes to cross-strait affairs and extending goodwill, actions speak louder than words. How will he deal with the Taiwan independence clause in the DPP charter? As party chair, he could simply abolish it.

Chen Kuan-ting
DPP lawmaker
In public opinion polls, the percentage of people who want to maintain the status quo is always going up. Our administrative team hears this opinion loud and clear. We will do everything in our power to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty while not provoking China. But when it comes to extending goodwill, it is our hope that China can respond in kind.

The stage is set for Lai’s Inauguration Day speech, and the world is watching closely for clues about Taiwan’s future.

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