When Lai Ching-te addressed reporters in the evening of January 13, minutes after his victory in Taiwan’s presidential election was announced, he struck what some analysts and media outlets called a “conciliatory” tone. The next time he steps onto an official stage – one that has been erected in front of the imposing Japanese colonial-era Presidential Office Building – will be to deliver his inaugural address as the island’s leader. Lai will succeed his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) predecessor Tsai Ing-wen on Monday. Listening carefully to his words will not only be officials in the audi…
