PHOTO ESSAY/Lai, Hsiao celebrate inauguration with 1st-ever state banquet in Tainan
![The tables for the president and vice president inaugural state banquet are set inside Tainan's Formosa Yacht Resort on Monday. Photo courtesy of the Tainan City Government](https://imgcdn.cna.com.tw/Eng/WebEngPhotos/800/2024/20240520/1159x768_236216445768.jpg)
Tainan, May 20 (CNA) Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) celebrated their inauguration on Monday with a state banquet in Tainan, the first of its kind to be held in the 400-year-old southern Taiwan city.
Lai, his wife and Hsiao arrived at the banquet venue at 6:33 p.m. In his speech, Lai thanked the visiting dignitaries for attending his and Hsiao's inauguration ceremony earlier in the day in Taipei and for the firm friendship with the Taiwanese people.
![President Lai Ching-te and his wife arrive at the president and vice president inaugural state banquet in Tainan's Formosa Yacht Resort on Monday. CNA photo May 20, 2024](https://imgcdn.cna.com.tw/Eng/WebEngPhotos/800/2024/20240520/1024x768_253729197242.jpg)
![Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim arrive at the president and vice president inaugural state banquet in Tainan's Formosa Yacht Resort on Monday. CNA photo May 20, 2024](https://imgcdn.cna.com.tw/Eng/WebEngPhotos/800/2024/20240520/903x1024_191232100964.jpg)
He also explained that the banquet was held in Tainan not just to celebrate the city's fourth centennial but also to demonstrate his government's goal of pursuing balanced development.
That is to ensure people, wherever they live in Taiwan, can do so comfortably and find satisfaction in their work, Lai said.
The banquet was held at the city's Formosa Yacht Resort, where guests were surrounded by Taiwan orchids decorated with various patterns including the national flag, using local technology.
![Tainan's Formosa Yacht Resort on Monday. CNA photo May 20, 2024](https://imgcdn.cna.com.tw/Eng/WebEngPhotos/800/2024/20240520/1152x768_487614911339.jpg)
![Taiwan orchids are displayed at the president and vice president inaugural state banquet in Tainan's Formosa Yacht Resort on Monday. Photo courtesy of Tainan City Government](https://imgcdn.cna.com.tw/Eng/WebEngPhotos/800/2024/20240520/1152x768_17563716448.jpg)
![Photo courtesy of Tainan City Government](https://imgcdn.cna.com.tw/Eng/WebEngPhotos/800/2024/20240520/1152x768_236233145692.jpg)
Lai also told guests that the dishes served at the banquet were inspired by 22 cities in Taiwan, which also doubled as an invitation to foreign guests to travel around the nation and help establish strong relationships with other countries.
![The eight dishes served at the president and vice president inaugural state banquet in Tainan's Formosa Yacht Resort on Monday are presented during a press event in this CNA file photo.](https://imgcdn.cna.com.tw/Eng/WebEngPhotos/800/2024/20240520/1500x768_270355107540.jpg)
Related News
May 20
● Business group urges Lai to show 'flexibility' on cross-strait issues
● Cabinet to focus on fighting fraud, pursue 'nuclear-free homeland': Premier
● Lai outlines 3 areas of focus to spur economic development, including AI
● Lai urges Beijing to recognize ROC, calls for dialogue at inauguration (update)
● U.S., Japan congratulate Lai on his inauguration as president
● Lai underscores democracy, 'four-pillar plan' for defense, diplomacy
● Lai Ching-te sworn in as Republic of China president
● Full text of President Lai Ching-te's inaugural address
● Taiwan celebrates inauguration of new president
FEATURE/ Lai to assume presidency amid geopolitical and domestic challenges
May 17: Incoming president vows to continue Tsai's unfinished work
- Rallies against legislative reform bills held around TaiwanPeople have gathered at public venues around Taiwan Tuesday, mostly to oppose the ongoing review of legislative reforms bills by lawmakers, with discussions on the bills also taking place in local councils.05/28/2024 09:48 PM
- Ruling, opposition parties continue to fight over reform bill reviewThe ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) on Friday continued to fight over the reform bill review.05/24/2024 11:27 PM
- Taiwan celebrates inauguration of new presidentCelebrations were held to mark the inauguration of Lai Ching-te (賴清德) as the fifth directly elected president of the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, including street performances and a military display in Taipei on Monday morning.05/20/2024 08:53 AM
- Society
Schools, offices in some towns, districts to close Saturday
07/26/2024 10:51 PM - Society
Magnitude 4.6 earthquake shakes Pingtung
07/26/2024 10:30 PM - Politics
Mayor, lawmaker convicted of corruption face different outcomes
07/26/2024 10:02 PM - Society
Typhoon Gaemi causes 8 deaths, 866 injuries as of Friday night
07/26/2024 09:58 PM - Politics
Taichung mayor to resume U.S. trip after typhoon
07/26/2024 09:57 PM