At the January 7 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: According to Taiwanese media reports, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator proposed amending the current “Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area” to define cross-Strait relations as “Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China,” and to delete the wording “before national reunification” from the original provisions. Other media reports say that the proposer has already withdrawn the bill, while the proposer himself claims that “it has not yet been formally submitted.” What is your comment?
In response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that they are paying close attention to these developments. He said that the proposal ignores the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan and the peace and well-being of Taiwan compatriots, openly challenges the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China, and attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait in which there is only one China and both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. He said it is a naked attempt to push “legal Taiwan independence,” deliberately escalating cross-Strait tensions and undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. Its intentions are sinister and its nature is egregious, fully demonstrating that the Lai Ching-te authorities and the DPP are nothing less than “destroyers of peace,” “manufacturers of crises,” and “instigators of war.”
Chen said that “Taiwan independence” means war and is a dead end with no way out. He said China has full confidence and sufficient capability to smash any attempt at “legal Taiwan independence” in any form, and will never allow “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, under any name or in any way, to split Taiwan from China.
Chen added that history has already proven and will continue to prove that pursuing “Taiwan independence” separatism will never end well and will only lead to complete defeat. If “Taiwan independence” separatist forces dare to take reckless risks and cross red lines, China will, in accordance with the Anti-Secession Law, take resolute measures and deliver a head-on blow. He expressed the hope that Taiwan compatriots will clearly recognize the evil nature and grave harm of “Taiwan independence,” firmly stand on the correct side of history, resolutely oppose “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, and join together to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and protect the shared home of the Chinese nation.