Taiwan's new President Lai in his inauguration speech urges China to stop its military intimidation

Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te in his inauguration speech has urged China to stop its military intimidation against the self-governed island Beijing claims as its own territory.

Lai was sworn into office in a ceremony Monday after he won an election earlier this year.

He is a relative moderate who will continue Taiwan's policy of de facto independence while seeking to bolster its defences against China.

He takes over from Tsai Ing-wen, who led Taiwan through eight years of economic and social development despite the COVID-19 pandemic and China's escalating military threats.