Photo: Zhu Fenglian

In response to the speech delivered by the Taiwan regional leader on Saturday and the third of the so-called "10 lectures on unity" on Sunday, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, stated on Monday that Lai Ching-te's speeches disregard the strong opposition voices across the Taiwan island, further deepening the divide in the island's public opinion, and escalating his provocative attempts to seek "independence," severely undermining cross-Straits relations.

Zhu noted that in his speech, Lai played up the so-called "mainland threat," repeated the old rhetoric of "Taiwan independence," and heightened hostility and confrontation across the Taiwan Straits. His remarks, she said, were yet another round of fallacies that run counter to legal principles and historical facts, and ignore mainstream public opinion on the island.

Zhu said that Lai distorted UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and challenged the authority of international law. By twisting concepts and confusing right and wrong, he continues to peddle the fallacy of "mutual non-subordination" between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, attempting to sever the legal and historical links between them and harm the national sentiments of compatriots on both sides. Such actions, Zhu said, amount to forgetting one's roots and betraying the Chinese nation.

"Lai continues to manipulate 'anti-China' rhetoric, smearing and slandering the mainland's sincere efforts to improve the wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots, once again revealing his deep-seated fear and resistance toward closer ties and greater affinity between the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits," said Zhu.

Taiwan is part of China's territory, the two sides of the Straits belong to one and the same China, and compatriots on both sides are all Chinese, said Zhu. The historical context is clear, the legal facts are well-established, and no one—and no force—can deny or be allowed to deny these truths.

She stressed that Taiwan's recovery after World War II was a key part of the postwar international order and a hard-won outcome of cross-Straits compatriots working together to defend national dignity and protect their shared homeland. History must be remembered, and the fruits of that victory must not be trampled upon.

"Any actions that go against the overall interests of the Chinese nation are bound to fail," she warned, noting that any attempt to split the country by pursuing "Taiwan independence" is a dead end.

People on both sides of the Straits yearn for peace, development, exchanges, and cooperation. "We are firmly committed to meeting the shared aspirations of compatriots for a better life, deepening peaceful and integrated development across the Straits, and respecting, caring for, and benefiting Taiwan compatriots—so they can truly feel a stronger sense of gain, happiness, and belonging," she said.

Zhu called on Taiwan compatriots to clearly recognize the obstinate "Taiwan independence" nature of the Lai-led authorities, see through their hypocrisy and deceptions, and join hands with the mainland in being firm supporters of national reunification and peace across the Straits, and in working together for the great cause of national rejuvenation.

Global Times