Inauguration of Lai Ching-te

The inauguration of Lai Ching-te as the 14th president of the Republic of China took place on May 20, 2024, marking the start of the four-year term of Lai Ching-te as president and Hsiao Bi-khim as vice president, and the first time a political party started a third term since the implementation of direct elections in 1994. The inauguration took place in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei.

Guests
51 countries sent delegates to the event. Notable guests include Santiago Peña, president of Paraguay, and Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State of the United States. Leaders and legislators of major political parties, such as Ko Wen-je of the TPP, also attended the event. Most Kuomintang members declined the invitation. Presidents of the Judicial, Legislative, Control, and Examination Yuans were also present.

International reactions
In his speech, Lai said that Taiwan is not a part of China and that China needs to acknowledge Taiwanese independence.

China
Cross-strait tensions increased as a result of Lai's speech. On May 23, 2024, the East Sea Fleet announced that a joint military exercise will be held in the Taiwan Strait. Soon after, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu announced that Fujian province will also participate in the exercise.

United States
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Lai's speech. A small delegation led by representative Michael McCaul, composed mostly of members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, met with Lai after the inauguration. They pledged military support for Taiwan.