Taiwan ruling party’s new chair vows to safeguard democracy


              Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te speaks during a press conference at the Democratic Progressive Party's headquarters after being sworn in as the party's chairman in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The new head of Taiwan's ruling party who described himself as pro-independence vowed to uphold the self-ruled island's democracy in face of China's authoritarianism and continue with policies that have defined relations with China and the U.S. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai)
            
              Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te, left, receives the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) seal from interim chairman Chen Chi-mai, right, as witnessed by central committee member Liao Fu-te, center, during a ceremony at the DPP's headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The new head of Taiwan's ruling party who described himself as pro-independence vowed to uphold the self-ruled island's democracy in face of China's authoritarianism and continue with policies that have defined relations with China and the U.S. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai)
            
              Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te speaks during a press conference at the Democratic Progressive Party's headquarters after being sworn in as the party's chairman in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The new head of Taiwan's ruling party who described himself as pro-independence vowed to uphold the self-ruled island's democracy in face of China's authoritarianism and continue with policies that have defined relations with China and the U.S. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai)
            
              Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te speaks during a press conference at the Democratic Progressive Party's headquarters after being sworn in as the party's chairman in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The new head of Taiwan's ruling party who described himself as pro-independence vowed to uphold the self-ruled island's democracy in face of China's authoritarianism and continue with policies that have defined relations with China and the U.S. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai)
            FILE - In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, center left, waves with Vice President Lai Ching-te after their inauguration ceremony and arriving at a government guest house in Taipei, Taiwan on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Lai, who currently serves as Taiwan's vice president, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2022, assumed the new role of the Democratic Progress Party chair. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP, File) Soldiers holding a Taiwanese flag are seen during a preparedness enhancement drill simulating the defense against Beijing's military intrusions, ahead of the Lunar New Year in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan on Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023. China renewed its threats Wednesday to attack Taiwan and warned that foreign politicians who interact with the self-governing island are "playing with fire." (AP Photo/Daniel Ceng)
Taiwan ruling party’s new chair vows to safeguard democracy