TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) appealed to opposition lawmakers and leaders across Taiwan to attend the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on May 20.

Chen said the Presidential Office invited both ruling and opposition parties, and elected heads of counties and cities, to the inauguration, per UDN. He said the event symbolizes Taiwan’s freedom and democracy, which should be celebrated by all political parties.

Chen presided over an opening ceremony for the National Highway 1 System Interchange in Taichung on Monday (May 13). He also responded to other questions from local media, saying there was no timetable for further negotiations with China after the deaths of two Chinese fishermen on February 14.

Chen added that China’s provocative actions in Taiwan's waters continue to attract international attention. He called upon China to stop such behavior and advocated for cross-strait exchange.