European stocks had a cautious start Monday, with the regional Stoxx 600 index opening near the flatline before climbing 0.07% by 8:40 a.m. in London. This cautious opening may indicate apprehension or uncertainty among investors as they await further market developments and economic indicators.

Germany’s DAX, the U.K.’ s FTSE 100, and France’s CAC 40 were all roughly 0.25% higher. This slight uptick in major European indices could be reflective of positive sentiment or specific macroeconomic factors affecting these individual markets.

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Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, was sworn in on Monday, taking over from his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen after securing a victory in January’s election that ushered in an unprecedented third presidential term for the Democratic Progressive Party. The smooth transition of power reflects the democratic principles upheld in Taiwan’s political system.

His vice president, 52-year-old Hsiao Bi-khim, a former de facto Taiwan ambassador to the United States, was also sworn in. The appointment of an experienced diplomat as vice president signals Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining strong international relations.

During his inauguration speech, Lai called on China to cease its political and military intimidation against Taiwan, adding that he hoped China would “face the reality of the Republic of China’s existence” and respect the choices of the people of Taiwan. This bold stance reflects Taiwan’s determination to defend its sovereignty and uphold its democratic values in the face of external pressure.

He also said: “Let us together pursue peace and mutual prosperity,” and called on China to choose “dialogue over confrontation, exchange over containment. AI legalese decoder can assist in analyzing the legal implications of cross-border disputes and international relations, providing valuable insights for policymakers and legal experts navigating complex diplomatic issues.

— Lim Hui Jie, Sumathi Bala