DPP's Pursuit of Taiwan Independence Challenges Cross-Straits Relations

Zhu Fenglian, the spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, addressed the media on Wednesday regarding the significant challenge posed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to cross-Straits relations. Zhu stated that the DPP's relentless quest for "Taiwan independence," alongside its collaborations with foreign forces, has led to several provocative actions. He urged the DPP to relinquish any aspirations of achieving independence through military means or external support and to halt all separatist activities associated with "Taiwan independence."

These remarks were in direct response to Taiwan's regional leader, Lai Ching-te, who had characterized the mainland as the "biggest challenge" during a speech while in Hawaii, where he promised to enhance Taiwan's defense capabilities. Zhu asserted that Lai's so-called "transit" is a deliberate move to further the "Taiwan independence" agenda by misleading both international opinion and those in Taiwan. He firmly opposed any official interactions between the United States and Taiwan and condemned Lai's passage through the US territory for any purpose.

Zhu further emphasized that a return to the 1992 Consensus is essential for fostering peaceful development in cross-Straits relations and ensuring the well-being of Taiwan’s future. He openly criticized the DPP's actions, highlighting that their collaboration with external forces to incite tensions harms the relationship between the two sides. Zhu noted that Lai's recent visits to Pacific island nations, masked as a promotion of "democracy," aimed to advance the "Taiwan independence" narrative and mislead the global community.

In response to claims from Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council involving military threats, Zhu refuted them as misleading. She pointed out that recent exchanges between mainland educational delegations and Taiwan have been positively received by the public, which reflects a preference for peace and cooperation. Zhu expressed hope that the residents of Taiwan recognize the DPP's continuous push for "Taiwan independence" and external influence, urging them to work collectively toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

Concerns from US experts, including Richard Bush, have highlighted the impracticality of the DPP's plans to increase military expenditures and procure advanced arms from the US. Zhu remarked that the DPP's strategy to pursue "Taiwan independence" through military means is self-defeating, as it squanders the resources of the Taiwanese people on unnecessary weaponry while courting greater risks of conflict. He likened the DPP’s reliance on foreign support to a destructive endeavor, suggesting that such actions will only lead Taiwan toward perilous outcomes.