As Lai Ching-te takes office, these photos show how this island democracy revels in the vibrant society its people have created.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan lives in the shadow of its much larger, more powerful and aggressive neighbor — one that never hesitates to remind it exactly how much larger and powerful it is.
NEW TAIPEI CITY,TAIWAN - AUGUST 16: People gathering for a free fireworks display in the Sanchong District of New Taipei City. August 16, 2023 Photograph by An Rong Xu for the Washington Post. TAIPEI,TAIWAN -OCT 10: Celebration for the National Day of The Republic of China, also known as 10/10 day, in front of the Presidential Palace, celebrating the Wuchang Rebellion which would lead to the Nationalist overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1911. Taipei, Taiwan. October 10th, 2023 Photograph by An Rong Xu for The Washington Post.
Visitors marvel at the polite orderliness of residents used to picking up after themselves: During a campaign rally ahead of the presidential election in January, the main boulevard in front of the president’s office was packed with thousands of people. Within half an hour after the event, all the plastic stools were stacked neatly to the side and the ground cleared of litter.
Taiwan’s presidential election campaigns are quite a spectacle: a mix between a nationwide pop concert and a street party, complete with dancers and cheerleaders. People grow hoarse shouting “dong suan” — Taiwanese for “get elected” — which also sounds like the term “frozen garlic” in Mandarin. It feels like everyone from young parents with kids to elderly residents is on the street lobbying for their preferred candidate for the four weeks of the election campaign.
TAIPEI,TAIWAN - DECEMBER 9: Campaigners for Ko Wen-Je, of the Taiwan People’s Party , campaigning in the Zhongshan District. Taipei, Taiwan. December 9th, 2023 Photograph by An Rong Xu for The Washington Post TAIPEI,TAIWAN - October 28: The scene at Taipei’s Gay Pride Parade. Taipei, Taiwan. October 28th, 2023 Photograph by An Rong Xu for The Washington Post.
After legalizing same-sex marriage in 2019, Taiwan last year gave same-sex couples the right to adopt children. But LGBTQ+ advocates say their work is not over. Same-sex couples are still barred from accessing reproductive technology like in vitro fertilization, and trans rights are still lagging. To change one’s gender legally, residents must show proof that they have undergone gender reassignment surgery.
As China pushed Taiwan from the international stage, Taiwan’s leaders poured money into the sport as a way to forge a national identity.
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