Lai takes over as leader as Beijing aggressively asserts its claim to the self-governing island of 23 million people.
Taipei, Taiwan – William Lai Ching-te has been sworn in as president of Taiwan in a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute.
Lai and Vice President Hsia Bi-khim were sworn in Monday under a portrait of Sun Yat-Sen, the founder of the Republic of China, the formal name of Taiwan's government.
Outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen also said goodbye during the ceremony, after eight years and a maximum of two terms in office.
Representatives from 29 countries attended on Monday, including those from Taiwan's last 12 diplomatic allies in the Pacific, Central America and the Holy See.
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attended, as did former Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite and representatives of foreign “economic” or “trade” offices that serve as de facto diplomatic missions.
The festivities also included a military parade and a traditional drum and dance performance, celebrating Taiwan's cultural heritage.
