Separatist plans of Lai slammed

A Chinese mainland spokesman strongly condemned on Thursday Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's new action plans regarding the island's security, warning that these would bring ruin to the island and expose a "warmongering nature".

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, accused Lai of undermining cross-Strait relations and pursuing "Taiwan independence". Chen warned that such actions would push Taiwan into the "abyss of war and danger".

The remarks follow Lai's speech at a high-level security meeting on Wednesday in Taiwan, where the Democratic Progressive Party authorities unveiled plans to safeguard "democratic Taiwan" and strengthen "defense" capabilities by increasing the island's military expenditure.

During a news conference after the meeting on Wednesday, Lai announced a NT$1.25 trillion ($40 billion) special "defense" budget over eight years. He also reaffirmed his pledge to raise "defense" spending to 3.3 percent of GDP next year and to 5 percent by 2030.

Chen criticized the plans for "aggressively hyping the 'mainland threat' and attempting to seek 'independence' by force and by relying on external forces". He described Lai's action plans as a warmongering scheme that threatens disaster for the island and its people.

Chen denounced Lai for ignoring mainstream public opinion on the island and for heightening tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Lai's remarks also drew criticism within Taiwan. Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, condemned Lai for moving further toward "independence".

"Lai's words have not only turned the Taiwan Strait into a powder keg, but also turned Taiwan into an arms factory," Cheng said on Wednesday.

Ma Ying-jeou, former Taiwan leader and former KMT chairman, wrote on Facebook on Thursday that Lai has not considered paths for cross-Strait reconciliation and dialogue.

Chen, the spokesman, reiterated Beijing's position that there is only one China in the world, and both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China.

He added that "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" is the best approach to achieve national reunification. It will fully take into account the realities of Taiwan, extensively draw on views and suggestions from people across the Taiwan Strait, and fully safeguard the interests and feelings of compatriots in Taiwan.