Taiwan President Takes Office Under Close Scrutiny

Taiwan's Lai Ching-te swept to the presidency in January's elections on the promise he would defend Taiwan's democracy and resist Beijing's claims on the island (Credit: AFP)

Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te, a staunch defender of the island's democracy, will be sworn into office Monday as Beijing ratchets up military and diplomatic pressure on Taipei.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has branded Lai a "dangerous separatist" who will bring "war and decline" to the self-ruled island.