Tsai Ing-wen (59) has sworn-in as the first female and 14th President of Taiwan on 20 May 2016 in front of national flag.
She succeeds outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou. She is the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which favours independence from China.
Background
Earlier in January 2016, Tsai led the DPP had won the Parliamentary and Presidential elections.
Ms Tsai’s victory was the biggest mandate ever won by a DPP President and is only the second-ever victory for the DPP since Taiwan split with China in 1949.
The first was Chen Shui-bian who also was pro-independence (from China) advocate. During his time as President between 2000 and 2008 tensions had escalated with China.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province (island) which will one day be reunited with the mainland.
China also has threatened to take back by force, if necessary.
Current Affairs 20th May, 2016 Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, April, 2016 Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, March, 2016
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