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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, becoming its first female leader and calling for "positive dialogue" with Beijing.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 an unassuming but determined leader, led the 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, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China, which 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 the island by force if necessary.
It still has hundreds of missiles pointing towards the island.It still has hundreds of missiles pointing towards the island.
Taiwan, the place to be a woman in politicsTaiwan, the place to be a woman in politics
Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's shy but steely leaderTsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's shy but steely leader
Cats, K-pop and trolls: Tsai's strange first weekCats, K-pop and trolls: Tsai's strange first week
China and economy among Tsai's challengesChina and economy among Tsai's challenges
What's behind the China-Taiwan divide?What's behind the China-Taiwan divide?
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.
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".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".
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 "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".
Speech to irk China: Cindy Sui, BBC News, Taipei Speech likely 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.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.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.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.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.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.