Taiwan leader denounced for separatist plot

A Chinese mainland spokesman on Wednesday warned Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te that all plots to divide the motherland will be met with firm countermeasures and that "Taiwan independence" is doomed to fail.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the tide of national reunification is unstoppable.

"Lai and the 'Taiwan independence' forces are no more than ants shaking a tree, and they will ultimately be swept into the dustbin of history," Chen said.

Chen made the remarks in response to an interview in which Lai promoted a "new two-state theory", claiming that the two sides across the Taiwan Strait "are not subordinate to each other".

During an appearance on a United States radio program, The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, Lai accused the Chinese mainland's military exercises of undermining peace and stability in the so-called "Indo-Pacific region". He also called for more defense spending for Taiwan and urged the "democratic camp" to take coordinated "deterrent actions" against the mainland.

Chen criticized Lai for "inverting right and wrong" and "peddling separatist fallacies", saying he was deliberately hyping up the so-called "mainland threat" while "inciting armed independence" and "seeking independence by relying on foreign powers". Such actions, Chen said, deceive both the people in Taiwan and the international community.

"Lai Ching-te is a destroyer of cross-Strait peace and a creator of crisis in the Strait," Chen said. "Since taking office more than a year ago, he has ignored mainstream public opinion on the island, stubbornly clung to separatist positions, and repeatedly spread fallacies about 'Taiwan independence' while escalating hostility and confrontation across the Strait."

Chen accused Lai of "recklessly preparing for war" and "pushing Taiwan toward grave danger". He said Lai's actions, including "fawning over foreign powers and selling out Taiwan's interests", have severely harmed the rights and welfare of the Taiwan people and businesses, and have jeopardized the island's economic lifeline and future development.

"Taiwan is part of China, and both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China," Chen said. "This is an indisputable historical and legal fact, and it cannot be changed."

He stressed that while the mainland cherishes peace, it will never tolerate separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence" or stand idly by while such forces "sell out and ruin Taiwan".

"We have the firm will, strong resolve and powerful capability to crush all separatist acts and foreign interference, safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect the safety and welfare of our Taiwan compatriots," Chen said.

He warned Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities that the trend toward reunification cannot be stopped.

"Seeking independence through reliance on foreign powers is bound to fail, and seeking independence by force will only hasten destruction," Chen said. "Those who betray the Chinese nation will be condemned by history, and any attempt to split the country will be resolutely crushed. Reunification will surely prevail, and 'Taiwan independence' will perish."

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn