Various sectors across Taiwan society have expressed deep concerns over recent remarks by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te on cross-strait relations, accusing him of repackaging his new “two states” theory and deliberately provoking the Chinese mainland.
In a joint statement, the Labor Party in Taiwan and the Cross-Straits Peace and Development Forum criticized Lai’s speech on Thursday, which was marked by resistance to the Chinese mainland and rejection of reunification. They asserted that his address essentially rebrands his separatist stance under the guise of a new “two states” theory.
In his speech upon assuming the role as leader of the Taiwan region on May 20, Lai introduced a new version of the “two states” theory, asserting that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait do not belong to each other. Observers in Taiwan are alarmed that Lai has already surpassed his predecessors, including Lee Teng-hui, Chen Shui-bian, and Tsai Ing-wen, on the path toward “Taiwan independence.”
“In less than six months in office, Lai has repeatedly used various statements and actions to clearly express this view, which has not only deepened division within Taiwan society but also provoked the mainland,” the statement added.
Describing Lai’s speech as fundamentally provocative, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, noted that it uses softened rhetoric to mask a strategy of provocation.
According to Hsiao, the real plight Taiwan faces stems from Lai’s insistence on the new “two states” theory, which threatens cross-strait relations and increases tension in the Taiwan Strait.
Commenting on Lai’s latest speech, Eric Chu, chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang, emphasized that “Taiwan independence” is a dead end. He expressed hope that Lai could rise above the narrow ideology of “Taiwan independence” and demonstrate an approach that fosters peace across the Straits.
Chi Chia-lin, chairman of Taiwan’s Reunification Alliance Party, remarked that Lai knew the new “two states” theory would enrage the mainland but pushed forward regardless, showing a reckless determination to provoke. He warned that this could further strain cross-strait relations in the future.
In an editorial published on Friday, the Taipei-based China Times highlighted Lai’s consistent reference to “China” rather than “the mainland,” noting that this rhetoric implies his belief that the two sides of the Straits are two distinct “countries.”
The United Daily News, in a commentary, criticized Lai’s failure to overcome his own ideological bias and face up to the true history and reality across the Straits.
“Lai has opened a Pandora’s box, and cross-strait relations will only get worse. It’s clear that he lacks the ability to manage cross-strait relations,” wrote an anonymous user on the social media platform Dcard.
Liu Xing-ren, an associate professor at the Taipei-based Chinese Culture University, told Xinhua that Lai’s Thursday speech remains a deceptive performance filled with contradictions, lacking any genuine intent or effort to resolve cross-strait tension or to reflect on and alter his separatist stance.
In an open letter following Lai’s speech, Xiong Zi-jie, president of the Hunan Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan, called “Taiwan independence” a poison to Taiwan.
“The separatist group headed by Lai is abandoning the path to peace and choosing conflict for the sake of its political gain,” he wrote. “We strongly oppose war and ‘Taiwan independence.’ We want peace, and we want to live our lives. No one can deprive the Taiwan people of the right to pursue peaceful reunification.”
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Taiwan leader Lai's speech sparks outcry over provoking mainland
cgtn.com
