Taiwan’s presidential office announces plans for pared-back inauguration

TAIPEI, May 12, 2020, Taiwan Today. The upcoming inauguration ceremony for the 15th ROC (Taiwan) president and vice president will be pared back amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Presidential Office, Taiwan Today reported.

During a press conference held May 11 in Taipei City, PO Spokesperson Ting Yun-kung said the presidential and vice-presidential inauguration is among the most important events in Taiwan, being a chance for the country’s 23 million people to celebrate their freedom and democracy.

While the number of attendees and scale of the event will be reduced to comply with the government’s disease-prevention measures, the ceremony will still fully showcase Taiwan’s democratic spirit, he added.

According to the newly released order of events, President-elect Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President-elect Lai Ching-te will be sworn in May 20 at 9:00 a.m. at the PO. The duo will then head to Taipei Guest House, where Tsai will deliver her inauguration speech at 10:00 a.m. in front of the historic building before hosting members of the diplomatic corps in Taiwan.

No guests or special envoys have been invited from abroad, with foreign dignitaries set to convey their congratulations via prerecorded video messages, the PO said, adding that no state banquet will be arranged either. Instead, participants will receive specially designed gifts made in Taiwan including soap and towels.

Tsai and running mate Lai of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party received 57.13 percent of the total vote in the Jan. 11 presidential election, winning her a second term as the country’s head of state.