China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, which it has threatened to take back by force if necessary.
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In her victory speech, Tsai vowed to preserve the status quo in relations with China.
Mainland China has claimed sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan since the end of a civil war in 1949.
However, Tsai made no explicit mention of the concept that Taiwan is a part of China, which Beijing says is crucial to the entire relationship.
The DPP does not accept the 1992 Consensus, which declares one China.
The people held banners reading: “The two sides of the strait belong to one China and peaceful development”. According to the Taiwanese Constitution, the existence of one China is implied.
Beijing and Taipei are on a collision course as the DPP has drafted a new Bill requiring government officials to get legislative consent before, during and after any talks with Beijing. Critics say that this will paralyse cross-strait ties.
China last staged military drills and missile launches in 1995-96 in a bid to intimidate voters ahead of Taiwan’s first direct presidential elections.
Tsai wrote much of her own speech and the text was not finalized until Thursday afternoon, said Huang Chung-yen (黃重諺), who will be the spokesman of the Presidential Office after Tsai and her government are sworn in during the day.
“From my understanding, the number of foreign dignitaries attending Tsai’s inauguration ceremony surpasses those in previous years”, Wang said.
He noted that without trade between the mainland and Taiwan, the island would likely see a trade deficit globally.
“Of course, China will not be happy if she fails to mention the 1992 consensus or one China”, noted Dr Chen Sy-shyan, a political science professor at National Taiwan University.
Ms Tsai’s election win was only the second ever for the DPP – the Kuomintang (KMT) has been in power for most of the past 70 years.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said almost 700 heads of state, diplomats and dignitaries would be attending the event in Taipei.
The leaders of Taiwan’s six Asia-Pacific allies are attending: Marshallese President Hilda Heine, Nauruan President Baron Waqa, Tuvaluan Prime Minister Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Palauan President Tommy Remengesau, Solomon Islands Governor General Frank Ofagioro Kabui and Kiribati President Taneti Maamau.
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Instead, he has sent Honduran Supreme Court President Rolando Edgardo Argueta Perez, said Miguel Tsao (曹立傑), director-general of the ministry’s Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs.
