The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army initiated a two-day joint military exercise surrounding the island of Taiwan on Thursday. This significant move is a clear response to remarks made by Taiwan region's new leader, Lai Ching-te, which have been interpreted as advocating for Taiwan's independence.
The Command articulated that these drills are intended as a resolute punishment against the separatist actions of "Taiwan independence" forces and serve as a stern warning against any interference or provocation by external entities.
In response, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office criticized Lai's speech, highlighting his description of Taiwan as a "sovereign, independent nation" and his call for extensive collaboration with external forces to pursue independence and counter threats from the Chinese mainland. The office labeled these statements as a confession of "Taiwan independence", posing a severe challenge to the one-China principle.
Taiwan: An Integral Part of China
Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times, with the earliest written records dating back over 1,700 years in the Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer, compiled by Shen Ying of the State of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. Starting in the mid-12th century, various Chinese governments established administrative bodies to govern Taiwan.
The Song Dynasty set up a garrison in Penghu, placing Taiwan under the jurisdiction of Jinjiang County, Fujian province. This administrative oversight continued through the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, with significant efforts to ward off foreign invasions and maintain control over the territory.
In 1662, under Qing Emperor Kangxi, General Zheng Chenggong established Chengtian Prefecture on Taiwan, and by 1885, Taiwan was officially designated as a full province of the Qing Dynasty.
The Impact of Japanese Aggression
Despite its long-standing ties to China, Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895 following Japan's war of aggression against China. During World War II, China declared war on Japan, reaffirming its intention to recover Taiwan and the Penghu Islands. International agreements, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, stipulated Japan's obligation to return these territories to China.
In October 1945, following Japan's surrender, the Chinese government resumed sovereignty over Taiwan, reaffirming Taiwan as an inalienable part of China through a series of international legal documents.
One China, Two Sides
With the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949, the new government asserted full sovereignty over China, including Taiwan. The PRC has consistently maintained that Taiwan is an integral part of China, a stance reinforced by officials such as Foreign Minister Wang Yi and General Secretary Xi Jinping.
During a recent meeting at the Munich Security Conference, Wang Yi emphasized that historical and legal foundations firmly establish Taiwan as part of China. Xi Jinping reiterated that despite differences in systems and physical distance, both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and the bond between compatriots cannot be severed by external forces.
These developments highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding Taiwan and underscore China's firm stance on the one-China principle, viewing the Taiwan question as an internal matter that remains unresolved since the Chinese civil war.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
