The Chinese mainland has strongly criticized Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te’s recent speech, labeling it a “Taiwan independence manifesto” that promotes separatist intentions.
On Tuesday, Lai delivered the second speech of his “10 Talks in Unity” series. According to Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, Lai’s remarks repeated old rhetoric advocating “Taiwan independence,” distorted historical facts, and aimed to sow discord and division among the people in Taiwan.
Zhu accused Lai of using such rhetoric to suppress opposition forces and advance his political agenda, including promoting the “Great Recall” campaign. She stated that Lai’s claims that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are “not subordinate to each other” deliberately provoke conflict and escalate tensions.
Furthermore, Zhu said that Lai smeared the exchanges and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and slandered people’s aspirations for peace and stability. She emphasized that such actions run contrary to the will of the people.
Zhu reiterated that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China. She stressed that only by promoting peaceful development of cross-strait relations and working together towards complete national reunification can peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait be maintained.
She urged the public to see through Lai’s “hypocrisy and deception” and to unite in opposing “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, thereby contributing to the cause of national unity.
