China Warns Taiwanese President Against Seeking Independence

Tsai has pledged to maintain the “status quo” with Beijing, but observers say she is highly unlikely to compromise.

As China’s strongest critic Tsai Ing-wen assumed power in Taiwan today pledging democracy and close ties with the US, a wary Beijing warned her against seeking independence and said the ‘One-China policy’ remained the corner stone of its relations with other countries.

Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen took the reins as President on 20 May, in a grand ceremony celebrating the island’s unique identity, which is likely to raise hackles in Beijing as ties with China rapidly cool. She did, however, omit the idea of a unified China in her speech, which elicited reactions from the Chinese authorities.

Tsai becomes Taiwan’s first female President after winning a landslide victory in January to defeat the ruling Kuomintang, ending an eight-year rapprochement with Beijing under outgoing president Ma Ying-jeou.

Voters felt Ma had moved too close to China, which still sees self-ruling Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification.

Beijing-sceptic Tsai swept in with a campaign to restore Taiwanese pride, a message that resonated with a public tired of living in China’s shadow.

Around 30,000 people gathered at Taipei’s presidential palace for Tsai’s swearing in and inauguration speech Friday morning.

The Taiwan-centric celebrations included 1,000 performers in a showcase of the island’s history and culture, entitled “Pride of Taiwan”.

Mock protesters appeared alongside singers in a “March of Taiwan Democracy” segment, billed as a performance to remind the new government to listen to the public.

Choirs also performed “Ilha Formosa”, a poetic tribute to Taiwan banned in 1979, when the KMT ruled under martial law, because it had been adopted as an anthem by opposition groups.

But the element of proceedings most closely watched – particularly by Beijing – is Tsai’s 30-minute inauguration speech.

Beijing wants Tsai to publicly acknowledge its message that there is only “one China”, a concept enshrined in a tacit agreement with the KMT known as the “1992 consensus”.

Recognition of that agreement formed the bedrock of the thaw under Ma, but Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party have never backed it.

Tsai has pledged to maintain the “status quo” with Beijing, but observers say she is highly unlikely to show any sign of compromise on the “one China” issue during her speech.

Tsai has said repeatedly cross-strait ties will be based on democratic principle and Taiwan’s public opinion, so it would be difficult for her to say the things China wants to hear. In the past China represented opportunities but now it represents risks.

Lai I-chung, Deputy Director, Taiwanese Thinktank

Voters will instead want to hear how Tsai proposes to revive Taiwan’s flagging economy and be reassured the island’s sovereignty will remain secure.