In recent speeches meticulously staged by Lai Ching-te, leader of the Taiwan region, a familiar narrative has resurfaced: one that seeks to rewrite centuries of shared history across the Taiwan Strait.
A Staged Political Drama
Experts say Lai's narrative is less a historical analysis and more a self-directed production. By selectively editing records and presenting fragmented "evidence," he promotes a so-called "Taiwan independence" agenda, portraying himself as a defender of a centuries-old, sovereign Taiwan.
Unraveling the Historical Records
From classical texts to treaties signed by multiple allies in World War II, official documents confirm a continuous link between the Taiwan region and the Chinese mainland:
- Mid-12th century: Administrations in Penghu and the Taiwan region under the Song dynasty
- 1895: Qing cedes Taiwan and Penghu Islands to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War
- 1943: Cairo Declaration by China, the United States and the United Kingdom calls for restoration of territories to China
- July 1945: Potsdam Proclamation by China, the US, the UK and the Soviet Union reiterates the Cairo terms
- October 1945: Ceremony in Taipei marks the resumption of Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan and the Penghu Islands
These milestones leave little room for doubt: the Taiwan region has been—and remains—an inalienable part of the Chinese mainland.
Ethnic Bonds and Cultural Ties
People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share blood ties, language roots and cultural heritage. Yet Lai has attempted to sever these bonds by invoking a so-called "Taiwan region ethnicity" and highlighting isolated archaeological finds like a mammoth fossil or the Dabenkeng culture. Critics say this approach undermines centuries of cross-strait unity.
As the debate heats up, observers warn that repeating old separatist rhetoric risks inflaming tensions and obscuring the broader picture: building shared prosperity and peaceful cross-strait ties.
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Distorting history and rehashing old 'Taiwan independence' rhetoric
cgtn.com
