HONG KONG /XIANGGANG/, January 19. /TASS/. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) new leader, Vice President Lai Ching-te said that there is no need to "declare Taiwan independence," the ICRT radio station reported on Thursday.

According to the politician, "Taiwan is already an independent and sovereign nation," so there is no need "to further declare Taiwan independence."

He specified that only the island’s 23 mln residents can determine Taiwan’s future. Lai Ching-te also vowed to preserve the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and maintain peace and regional stability.

The politician assumed the post of the DPP’s chairman on Wednesday at a meeting of its permanent committee. His tenure will run until May 20, 2024 when Taiwan will inaugurate its next president.

There are only 14 countries that recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty, including some African, Latin American and Oceanian countries which receive financial and economic aid from Taipei, as well as the Vatican.

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the remaining Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after suffering a defeat in China’s civil war. Since then, Taiwan has preserved the flag and some other symbols of the Republic of China that had existed in mainland China before the Communists came to power. Beijing regards the island as one of its provinces and this position is supported by most countries, including Russia.