The mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) on Wednesday said that Lai claimed to “desire peace and stability” in the Taiwan Strait, but in reality he “obstinately” adhered to his “Taiwan independence” stance and repeatedly advocated for separatist rhetoric.
“Lai is intentionally destroying peace, restricting cross-strait exchanges, and scheming to rely on foreign support or force to achieve independence,” said TAO spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian.
“The latest statement once again exposed his true nature as a destroyer of cross-strait peace and a creator of Taiwan Strait crises.”
Zhu was referring to Lai’s remarks at a Lunar New Year event for the island’s business leaders on Monday organised by the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), a semi-official body aimed at easing cross-strait relations.
“Sovereignty is essential for the existence of a country; without Taiwan there is no Republic of China,” Lai said at the event, using Taiwan’s official name for itself.
