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Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as first female president Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as first female president
(about 1 hour later)
Tsai Ing-wen has been sworn in as the new president of Taiwan, the island's first female leader. Tsai Ing-wen has been sworn in as the new president of Taiwan, becoming its first female leader and calling for "positive dialogue" with Beijing.
Ms Tsai, seen as a shy but determined leader, led her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide win in elections in January. Ms Tsai, seen as an unassuming but determined leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide win in elections in January.
The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China, and its victory has led to a cooling of relations with Beijing. The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province. In the past, it has threatened to take the island by force if necessary.
In the past, it has threatened to take it by force if necessary. It still has hundreds of missiles pointing towards the island. It still has hundreds of missiles pointing towards the island.
Ms Tsai has said she will preserve the status quo with China, but that Beijing must respect Taiwan's democracy. Relations with China along with tackling Taiwan's flagging economy are her biggest challenges.
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Ms Tsai, 59, swore the presidential oath in front of the national flag, before being presented with the official seal.Ms Tsai, 59, swore the presidential oath in front of the national flag, before being presented with the official seal.
She and outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou then came out to wave at the crowds watching on screens outside the presidential building.She and outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou then came out to wave at the crowds watching on screens outside the presidential building.
Her inauguration speech was expected to be closely watched across the straits in China. In her inaugural speech, she said Taiwanese people had shown they were "committed to the defence of our freedom and democracy as a way of life".
Local media quoted her spokesman as saying the speech would focus on the economy and stable development as well as Taiwan's future relationship with Beijing. The "stable and peaceful development of the cross-Strait relationship must be continuously promoted", she said, calling on both sides to "set aside the baggage of history, and engage in positive dialogue, for the benefit of the people on both sides".
The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said nearly 700 heads of state, diplomats and dignitaries would be attending the event in Taipei. Speech to irk China: Cindy Sui, BBC News, Taipei
What Ms Tsai said in her speech is unlikely to satisfy Beijing. It sees eventual unification with the island as non-negotiable.
With tensions rising in the South China Sea, Beijing is also keen for Taiwan to be its ally rather than be aligned with rival claimants to the disputed islets in the sea.
What may also irk China is her focus on Taiwan's democracy and freedom - saying it's every Taiwanese person's responsibility to safeguard this.
This is a clear message to Beijing that Taiwanese people cherish these characteristics of their society and their self-rule more than economic ties with China, even if the mainland is the island's biggest trade partner and export market.
Democracy and freedom to Beijing mean pro-independence, so China will likely continue to distrust Ms Tsai.
Ms Tsai's election win was only the second ever for the DPP - the Kuomintang (KMT) has been in power for most of the past 70 years.Ms Tsai's election win was only the second ever for the DPP - the Kuomintang (KMT) has been in power for most of the past 70 years.
But Mr Ma lost public support over his handling of the economy, the widening wealth gap, as well as what many say was too friendly an approach to Beijing.But Mr Ma lost public support over his handling of the economy, the widening wealth gap, as well as what many say was too friendly an approach to Beijing.