The Chinese mainland has strongly criticized Taiwan region's new leader, Lai Ching-te, labeling his recent speech as a confession of 'Taiwan independence.'
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that Lai's address was filled with hostility, provocation, lies, and deception. Chen asserted that Lai's rhetoric on 'sovereign independence,' 'non-subordination between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits,' and 'self-determination of Taiwan residents' escalates tensions and poses a serious challenge to the one-China principle.
According to Chen, Lai's failure to address the fundamental nature of cross-strait relations and his attempts to alter these relations threaten stability in the region. Chen emphasized that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and that its future is determined by over 1.4 billion Chinese people, including residents of Taiwan.
Chen also criticized Lai for seeking support from external forces to promote the 'internationalization of the Taiwan question' and pursuing independence through foreign assistance or force. He warned that such actions would ultimately be futile and could lead to military conflict, pushing Taiwan into a dangerous situation.
Highlighting the importance of peaceful reunification, Chen stated, \"Compatriots on both sides of the Straits are Chinese and belong to the Chinese nation. No one desires more than we do to achieve national reunification through peaceful means.\" He concluded by asserting that the Chinese mainland would counteract and punish any attempts by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to provoke and seek independence.
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Mainland slams Lai's speech as a confession of 'Taiwan independence'
cgtn.com