Taiwan President Lai Declares Island 'Of Course' a Country in 10-Speech Series Amid Beijing's Separatist Accusations

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Updated Jul 2, 2025, 03:06 PM

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has launched a series of 10 speeches aimed at uniting the island's 23 million residents against increasing pressure from China. In his first speech, delivered on June 22, Lai asserted that Taiwan is "of course" a country and challenged China's sovereignty claims, stating that China lacks historical evidence and legal proof to support them. Lai emphasized that regardless of the name used—Republic of China, Republic of China Taiwan, or Taiwan—the island is an independent country. The speeches are part of a broader campaign to rally support within Taiwan amid rising cross-strait tensions.

Beijing has strongly condemned Lai's remarks, labeling them as a "blatant separatist declaration" and an incitement to confrontation. Chinese officials and state media have accused Lai of spreading lies, deception, and hostility, and of deliberately distorting history to promote Taiwan independence. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and other mainland spokespersons have described Lai's speeches as a confession of separatist intentions that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Critics within Taiwan and internationally have expressed concern that Lai's campaign risks deepening political divisions on the island and provoking Beijing, potentially destabilizing the fragile status quo in the region. Despite the backlash, Lai continues his speaking tour, framing his message as a call for unity and resilience against China's threat. The ongoing rhetoric underscores the deepening divide across the Taiwan Strait and highlights the complexities of Taiwan's political and diplomatic position.

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#台湾最大の災厄 — “Taiwan Independence” forces. Press Secretary Chen Binhua of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council (in response to the fourth lecture of the Taiwan region leader's so-called “Ten Talks of Solidarity,” part 4): Both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and all of our compatriots on both sides of the Strait are Chinese. “Taiwan Independence” If there is no division, both sides of the Strait will be peaceful