The outlook for Taiwan under the new administration.
Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was sworn in on May 20 as Taiwan's first female president and only its second leader not from the Kuomintang party, which has governed the island for all but eight years since 1945. In her inaugural address, Tsai outlined a five-point plan focused on reviving a stagnant economy, increasing social services for a rapidly aging population, and moving the export-driven economy away from a reliance on mainland China, Taiwan's largest market.
Restructuring the economy will take time, and public pressure will build if global demand for exports does not rise quickly.
Taiwan's bids to join regional trade blocs will meet resistance from China, which will press other countries to block it.
Initiatives on judicial reform and 'truth and reconciliation' that discredit the Kuomintang will make domestic politics more acrimonious.
