Ma Ying-jeou was sworn in May 20 as president of the ROC, vowing to use his second term in office to build a more just and equitable society while creating the conditions for achieving greater national prosperity.
With his right hand raised, Ma pledged to observe the Constitution, faithfully perform his duties, promote the welfare of the people, safeguard the security of the state and in no way betray public trust. He was followed by former ROC Premier Wu Den-yih, who replaces Vincent C. Siew as vice president.
“Our objective is to build a nation that enjoys the benefits of peace, justice and well-being,” Ma said in his inaugural address delivered in the Presidential Office in Taipei City, adding that the government has identified five pillars of national growth it aims to achieve over the next four years.
The president said these are enhancing the drivers of economic growth; creating employment and realizing social justice; developing an environment characterized by low carbon emissions and high reliance on green energy; building up culture as a source of national strength; and cultivating, recruiting and retaining talent.
After the speech, Ma and Wu were then congratulated by foreign heads of state and overseas dignitaries from 19 ROC diplomatic allies and major partners such as Canada, the EU, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.K. and U.S.
Other events scheduled for the inauguration include the swearing in of Sean C. Chen as premier along with his new Cabinet, an international news conference, reception banquet, reception for overseas compatriots and commemorative ceremony for ROC Founding Father Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Ma and Wu of the ruling Kuomintang won the Jan. 14 presidential election with 6,891,139 votes, or 51.6 percent, defeating main challengers Tsai Ing-wen and Su Jia-chyuan of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party with 6,093,578 votes, or 45.63 percent. James Soong and Lin Ruey-shiung of the People First Party garnered 369,588 votes, or 2.77 percent.
Write to John Scott Marchant at js_marchant@mail.gio.gov.tw