Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as first female president

 

 Ms Tsai's presidency is expected to see a change in the relationship between Taipei and Beijing 

 

Tsai Ing-wen has been sworn in as the new president of Taiwan, the island's first female leader.

Ms Tsai, seen as a shy but determined leader, led her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide win in elections in January.

The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China, and its victory has led to a cooling of relations with Beijing.

China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.

In the past, it has threatened to take it by force if necessary. It still has hundreds of missiles pointing towards the island.

Ms Tsai has said she will preserve the status quo with China, but that Beijing must respect Taiwan's democracy. Relations with China along with tackling Taiwan's flagging economy are her biggest challenges. 

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Chen Chien-jen was sworn in as vice-president, in front of a portrait of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China 

The ceremony was broadcast on a giant screen for people waiting outside 

Ms Tsai and her predecessor Ma Ying-jeou then came out together to greet the public

Ms Tsai, 59, swore the presidential oath in front of the national flag, before being presented with the official seal.

She and outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou then came out to wave at the crowds watching on screens outside the presidential building.

Her inauguration speech was expected to be closely watched across the straits in China.

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It is highly unusual for Taiwanese high-ranking officials to take an informal approach in public

Local media quoted her spokesman as saying the speech would focus on the economy and stable development as well as Taiwan's future relationship with Beijing.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said nearly 700 heads of state, diplomats and dignitaries would be attending the event in Taipei.

Ms Tsai's election win was only the second ever for the DPP - the Kuomintang (KMT) has been in power for most of the past 70 years.

But Mr Ma lost public support over his handling of the economy, the widening wealth gap, as well as what many say was too friendly an approach to Beijing.

 

A military parade and a display of Taiwanese history are being held in the capital in celebration 

  The event involves thousands of military personnel as well as schoolchildren and artistic performances