President William Lai (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) were sworn into office on Monday morning as the fifth popularly elected leaders of Taiwan.
Outgoing president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) also attended the inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Office in Taipei, where Lai received the great seal of the nation from Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to symbolize his assumption of office.
Lai’s first official duty was to sign a document officially appointing Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) as premier, Pan Men-an (潘孟安) as secretary-general of the Presidential Office and Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) as secretary-general of the National Security Council.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei News Photographer Association via AFP
He then presided over the swearing-in ceremonies of senior officials before he and Hsiao received foreign guests in attendance.
A total of 51 groups of 508 foreign dignitaries are attending the inauguration ceremony and related activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The ceremony was followed by music and cultural performances outside of the Presidential Office before Lai was set to deliver his inaugural speech at 11am.
Photo: An Rong Xu, Bloomberg
Photo: CNA
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE
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