Impossible’ for Communist China to become our motherland as we’re older, Taiwan’s president argues

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech during his inspection of the Taiwanese navy on the outlying Penghu Island on September 6, 2024. Chiang Ying-ying/AP
Published October 7, 2024

It is “absolutely impossible” for Communist China to become Taiwan’s motherland because the island’s government is older, Taiwan’s president has said in a carefully timed speech that underscores the intense historical rivalry between the two.

Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, has long faced Beijing’s wrath for championing Taiwan’s sovereignty and rejecting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s claims over the island.

Despite having never controlled Taiwan, China’s ruling Communist Party has vowed to “reunify” with the self-governing democracy, by force if necessary. But many people on the island view themselves as distinctly Taiwanese and have no desire to be part of the People’s Republic of China.

On Saturday, in a move likely to further infuriate Beijing, Lai dug into history to make his point, stressing that Taiwan is already a “sovereign and independent country” called the Republic of China (ROC), whose government ruled mainland China for decades before relocating to Taiwan when the CCP came to power.

 

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SOURCE: www.cnn.com

RELATED: Taiwan’s president is doubling down on sticking it to Beijing, saying China can’t be the ‘motherland’ because its government is younger

Published October 7, 2024
  • Lai Ching-te on Sunday said it’s “impossible” that China would become Taiwan’s “motherland.”
  • He cited the ages of Beijing and Taipei’s governments, saying that China’s is far younger.
  • The statement is yet another of Lai’s challenges to Beijing, as cross-strait tensions brew

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Sunday challenged the idea that mainland China is Taiwan’s “motherland,” saying the island’s government is older than Beijing’s.

The comment from Lai, who took office in May, is the latest in the leader’s series of barbs toward China’s claim that Taiwan is part of its sovereign territory.

Speaking at a party for Taiwan’s upcoming National Day on October 10, Lai said the Republic of China’s government, which governs Taiwan independently, would be celebrating its 113th birthday.

Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China, which governs mainland China from Beijing under leader Xi Jinping, celebrated its 75th birthday on October 1.

“Therefore, in terms of age, it is definitely impossible for the People’s Republic of China to become the motherland of the people of the Republic of China,” Lai said.

He then took that rhetoric up a notch.

“On the contrary, the Republic of China may actually be the motherland of the people over 75 years old in the People’s Republic of China,” Lai continued as his audience applauded and cheered.

Lai called on Taiwanese people to be “precise” in congratulating China on its 75th birthday and to avoid using the word “motherland.”

 

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SOURCE: www.businessinsider.com

 

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