Mainland warns Lai over pro-independence remarks

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday condemned a recent speech by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, calling him a "peace disruptor, warmonger, and troublemaker."

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to Lai's speech at the opening of the Ketagalan Forum on Tuesday.

Zhu said Lai once again clung to a separatist position advocating "Taiwan independence," and continued down the dangerous path of seeking independence by relying on external forces and military means.

Lai's speech exaggerated the so-called "mainland threat" and promoted a false narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism," she said.

Zhu also outlined Lai's negative actions since taking office over a year ago. She accused him of creating a climate of "green terror" on the island by suppressing individuals and organizations that support the development of cross-Strait relations.

Lai has promoted decoupling across the Taiwan Strait and hindered exchanges and cooperation, she said. "He uses the banner of democracy to deceive the public and peddle the fallacy of 'Taiwan independence'," Zhu added.

She criticized Lai for ramping up the island's military budget and recklessly dragging the Taiwan people onto the path of confrontation by attempting to achieve independence through military means.

Zhu also said Lai has ignored the island's economy and people's well-being, accusing him of "selling out Taiwan," undermining its interests, and weakening its economy. "His actions seriously violate mainstream public opinion on the island and are rejected by the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots," she said.

Zhu emphasized that the root cause of current tensions in the Taiwan Strait lies in the provocations by Lai's administration and "Taiwan independence" forces colluding with foreign powers.

"We solemnly warn Lai and his administration: Those who forget their roots will not meet a good end. Betraying the motherland will inevitably face the judgment of history," she said. "'Taiwan independence' separatism leads only to self-destruction."

"The trend toward the complete reunification of the motherland is unstoppable, and no person or force can stand in its way," she added.