New Taiwan president takes office as Chinese state media warns of 'provocative' behaviour

Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te (right) takes his oath during the inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on May 20, 2024. - PHOTO: AFP

TAIPEI (Reuters): Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwan's new president on Monday, facing an angry and deeply suspicious China that believes he is a "separatist", and a fractious parliament with an opposition champing at the bit to challenge him.

Lai was sworn in at the Japanese-colonial-era presidential office in central Taipei, taking over from Tsai Ing-wen, having served as her vice president for the past four years.