Taiwan's president has said that it is “impossible” for the People's Republic of China to become Taiwan's homeland because of Taiwan's ancient political roots.
Lai Qingde, who took office in May, has been criticized by the Chinese government as a separatist. He rejects Beijing's claims to sovereignty, saying the island belongs to a country called the Republic of China, which dates back to the 1911 revolution that overthrew the last imperial dynasty.
The Chinese Kuomintang government lost a civil war with the Communists led by Mao Zedong and fled to Taiwan in 1949. Mao Zedong founded the People's Republic of China and continues to claim autonomous Taiwan as its territory.
Speaking at a concert ahead of Taiwan's National Day on October 10, Lai said October 1 will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and a few days later the 113th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China.
“Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for the People's Republic of China to be the homeland of the Republic of China due to age. On the contrary, the Republic of China may be the homeland of citizens of the People's Republic of China over the age of 75,” Lai added. I applauded.
“One of the most important meanings of these celebrations is that we must remember that we are a sovereign and independent country.”
According to Reuters, the China Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to calls seeking comment outside of business hours.
In a speech on the eve of National Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated the government's view that Taiwan is Taiwanese territory.
Mr. Lai, who will give his own keynote speech on National Foundation Day on October 10, has previously criticized Beijing by referring to history. He said in September that if China's claims to Taiwan were about territorial integrity, it should also take back the land signed by the last Chinese dynasty in the 19th century from Russia.
on Reuters
