TAIPEI, Taiwan: Taiwan’s President-elect, Lai Ching-te, has been included in Time Magazine’s esteemed “100 Most Influential People of 2024” list, a recognition that Taiwan heralded on Thursday as an affirmation of its democratic progress.
President-elect Lai, who emerged victorious in the January presidential election to succeed Tsai Ing-wen, is set to assume office on May 20 amidst escalating tensions between Taiwan and China.
Beijing maintains a territorial claim over the self-governed island and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over Taiwan.
In recent years, China has intensified military and diplomatic pressure and has labeled Lai as a “dangerous separatist” due to his and Tsai’s refusal to accept Beijing’s sovereignty.
Jon Huntsman, a former governor of Utah and ex-US ambassador to China, highlighted the significant challenges facing Lai’s administration, noting that safeguarding Taiwan’s nascent democracy amid China’s aggressive campaign poses a critical responsibility.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office lauded Lai’s inclusion in the Time list, describing it as a significant acknowledgment of the Taiwanese people’s democratic accomplishments. The office emphasized Lai’s pivotal role in upholding and protecting Taiwan’s democratic values.
Among the influential figures recognized by Time in 2024 was Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who assumed the country’s second-highest leadership position last year.
Tsai Ing-wen herself was featured on Time’s list in 2020, with Republican Senator Ted Cruz lauding her as a beacon of resistance against China’s influence, signaling Taiwan’s steadfast refusal to yield to the Chinese Communist Party’s pressures.
Lai’s recognition on the global stage underscores Taiwan’s continued commitment to democracy and its defiance against external coercion, especially amid heightened regional tensions. This acknowledgment by Time underscores Taiwan’s growing presence and significance in international affairs, spotlighting the island’s enduring democratic values in the face of adversities posed by Beijing.
