Taiwan’s new president set to take over as Chinese incursions surge

Summary

1. William Lai, a 64-year-old doctor turned politician, is set to be sworn in as Taiwan’s president, following his win in January’s election
2. He is expected to promise stability as he takes over from Tsai Ing-wen, whose cautious yet steely hand reset the island’s relationship with China
3. Beijing has long claimed democratically governed Taiwan as its own - and has not ruled out the use of force to take it
4. Beijing has made clear it deeply disapproves of both Lai and his vice-president, Hsiao Bi-khim, a Japanese-born diplomat who served in the US
5. Taiwan has reported an uptick in Chinese military incursions in recent weeks, and has said it is prepared for more such moves following Lai’s inauguration
6. At home, Lai faces a divided parliament and disgruntled youth who have been hit by housing woes and a lack of jobs