Lai Ching-te has been sworn in as the new president of Taiwan, the global semiconductor powerhouse, succeeding Tsai Ing-wen and pledging to continue the island’s policy of de facto independence while strengthening its defenses against China. What Happened: Lai, 64, was inaugurated on Monday, May 20, in Taipei. Thousands of people gathered for the ceremony, where Lai, also known as William, accepted congratulations from politicians and delegations from 12 nations with official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, as well as representatives from the U.S., Japan, and various European states, reporte…