Image Credit: 總統府
In a historic electoral win, the pugnacious and determined veteran politician, Lai Ching-te, is set to become Taiwan's next president, promising to safeguard the nation's democracy and resist Beijing's claims on the island.
The 64-year-old Harvard graduate secured an unprecedented third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Lai's victory speech emphasized the significance of standing with democracy amid an increasingly turbulent relationship with China.
Despite China's reservations, branding him a "stubborn worker" for Taiwan's independence, Lai remains resolute in continuing President Tsai Ing-wen's policies, focusing on strengthening Taiwan's military capabilities as a defense against potential Chinese aggression.
Born into humble beginnings as the son of a coal miner, Lai's rise in politics underscores a journey from a rural hamlet to the international spotlight.
