Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen inaugurated for a second term

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has been inaugurated for a second term amid increasing pressure from China on self-governing island democracy it claims as its own territory.

Tsai represents ruling Democratic Progressive Party which vocates Taiwan’s formal independence, something Beijing says it will use force to prevent.

She won in a landslide last year after repression of pro-democracy protests in nearby Chinese semi-automous region of Hong Kong solidified public opinion in Taiwan against moves toward accepting rule by Beijing.

sides split amid civil war in 1949 and Beijing has cut off ties with Tsai’s government over her refusal to accept its demand that she recognize island as a part of China.

Following Wednesday morning's ceremony, Tsai is to give an inaugural dress and provide over a pare celebrating island's mixed Chinese and Asian-Pacific herit.

Among those attending are representatives of Taiwan's remaining 15 formal diplomatic allies. U.S. maintains strong but informal ties with Taiwan and is island's main source of military support against China's military threats.