China Condemns Taiwan's "Two-State" Rhetoric, Reaffirms Commitment to Reunification

Lai Ching-te's Speech and China's Response

Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's regional leader, delivered a provocative "Double Ten" speech on October 10th, 2023, in which he reiterated his support for the "two-state" theory and advocated for "Taiwan independence." This stance was met with strong condemnation from China, which considers Taiwan an inseparable part of its territory.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, criticized Lai's speech, accusing him of fabricating fallacies, inciting hostility, and deliberately creating tensions across the Taiwan Straits. Chen emphasized that Taiwan has always been a part of China and that the "one-China" principle is a fundamental consensus within the international community.

Chen further clarified that the current struggle against "Taiwan independence" is not about different systems, but about the fundamental question of reunification versus division. He accused Lai of seeking "independence" through external forces and military means, jeopardizing the stability of the Taiwan Straits and potentially harming the Taiwanese people.

Despite Lai's claims, Chen asserted that nothing can change Taiwan's legal status as part of China. He expressed confidence in China's ability to achieve complete reunification and emphasized that no force can stop the historical trend of national rejuvenation and reunification.

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan over the issue of sovereignty. China's strong response to Lai's speech demonstrates its unwavering commitment to the "one-China" principle and its determination to prevent any attempts at formal independence by Taiwan.