China isn’t the only problem facing Taiwan’s new president Lai Ching-te

For millions of Taiwanese people, this weekend’s presidential and parliamentary elections were an example of a vibrant democracy at work, despite the ire in Beijing that Lai Ching-te – also known as William Lai – had won an unprecedented third term in power for the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

“I think the result is a loud and clear message, from us to the rest of the world, that democracy is our preferred way of life and that should be viewed and treated differently from ,” Angus Lai, a 23-year-old delivery worker, tells in the Taiwanese capital Taipei.