Lai to express ‘concrete’ goodwill toward China in inauguration speech, source saysSEAFOOD DIPLOMACY: Lai and incoming vice president Hsiao hosted leaders of diplomatic allies in a traditional shrimp-fishing eventBy Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporter, with Reuters and CNAPresident-elect William Lai (賴清德) would express “concrete” goodwill toward China in his inauguration speech today, and call for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to pursue peace, a senior official briefed on the matter said. Lai, 64, is detested by Beijing as a “separatist.”Eswatini’s King Mswati III, left, president-elect William Lai, center, and vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim, right, fish at the Zhishan Shrimp Fishing Farm in Taipei yesterday. Earlier in the day, Lai and vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) took visiting leaders of diplomatic allies to experience traditional shrimp fishing and enjoy local cuisine in Taipei. They were also joined by Belizean Prime Minister John Briceno, Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo, Saint Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley and Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Ramiro Martinez. A source said the shrimping event was the second Lai has hosted since taking office as vice president in May 2020.

Source: Taipei Times May 19, 2024 21:43 UTC