‘Impossible’ for People’s Republic of China to be our motherland, Taiwan president says

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday it was “impossible” for the People's Republic of China to become Taiwan's motherland because the island has older political roots.

Lai, who took office in May, was denounced by Beijing as a “separatist”. He rejects Beijing's claims, saying the island is a country called the Republic of China, whose origins date back to the 1911 revolution that overthrew the last dynasty.

In 1949, the Republic of China government fled to Taiwan after losing a civil war against Mao Zedong's communists who founded the People's Republic of China, which still claims the island as its “sacred” territory.

On October 10, Jimmy Lai gave a speech at a concert before Taiwan’s National Day celebrations. He pointed out that the People’s Republic of China celebrated its 75th anniversary on October 1, and in a few days, the Republic of China will celebrate its 113th anniversary. Birthday.

“Therefore, in terms of age, it is absolutely impossible for the People's Republic of China to become the 'motherland' of the people of the Republic of China. On the contrary, the Republic of China may be the motherland of the people of the Republic of China.” Elderly people over 75 years old in China. .

“One of the most important implications of these celebrations is that we must remember that we are a sovereign and independent country,” he said.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not answer calls seeking comment outside office hours.

In a speech on the eve of National Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated the Chinese government's view that Taiwan is its territory.

Jimmy Lai, who will deliver his National Day keynote speech on October 10, has previously used historical evidence to criticize Beijing.

Lai said last month that if China's claims to Taiwan involve territorial integrity, then it should also take back land from Taiwan. Russia Signed by the last dynasty of China in the 19th century.