Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen begins second term

President Tsai Ing-wen took her oath of office at the Presidential Office today and formally commenced her second four-year term as the president of the Republic of China, Taiwan's formal name.

Tsai, 63, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was sworn in at 9:00 a.m. in a simple ceremony that was broadcast on television and live streamed on social media, CNA reports.

Former Premier Lai Ching-te then was sworn in as vice president, succeeding Chen Chien-jen, who stepped down after one term.

No overseas dignitaries have been invited to attend the ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tsai won re-election in January by a 57-39 percent margin over Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang (KMT).