Lai Ching-te of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was sworn in as the self-governing island’s president on Monday and used his inaugural address to urge Beijing to cease its political and military intimidation. Lai stressed that his administration will maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. “Peace is the only option,” Lai told the crowd attending his inauguration ceremony, which featured a 21-gun salute, in front of the presidential building in the capital Taipei. He called on China to share with Taiwan the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Ta…