China Reaffirms Taiwan as Part of Its Territory

Beijing (ANTARA) - The Chinese government has stressed that Taiwan is part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, despite Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te’s support for maintaining the current ‘status quo’.

‘Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The future of Taiwan can only be decided by the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan,’ Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Earlier that day, Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te told a reception for international media in Taipei that Taiwan’s sovereignty rests with its people, adding that Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other and that Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China.

‘The fact that Lai Ching-te continues to spout narratives of Taiwan independence only reveals his nervousness and uncertainty, because seeking independence with US support and building up military power will only lead to a dead end,’ Lin Jian stated.

Lin Jian said that neither the words nor the deeds of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party authorities or Lai Ching-te himself could ever change the fundamental nature of the Taiwan issue, which is entirely China’s internal affair.

‘They will also never shake the international community’s commitment to the One-China principle or stop the historical inevitability of China’s reunification,’ Lin Jian asserted.

In his speech at the event, Lai Ching-te said Taiwan seeks to embrace the world and firmly uphold democracy and freedom to bring prosperity to its people. He also stressed that Taiwan will resolutely work with the international community to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Lai Ching-te also expressed gratitude to G7 members for their recent joint statement, which reaffirmed opposition to any attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, particularly through violence or coercion.

He called on China to halt its military expansion in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, and to reject the use of force against Taiwan. Based on the principles of equality and dignity, Lai said Taiwan is willing to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China to promote mutual peace and prosperity.