Mainland slams Lai Ching-te's 'Taiwan independence' remarks

A spokesperson from the Chinese mainland strongly criticized Lai Ching-te, a candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan, for promoting the "two-state" theory and advocating "Taiwan independence" during the ongoing election campaign.

Lai, running for the DPP in the 2024 Taiwan regional leadership election, made the remarks undermining the cross-Strait services trade agreement and inciting confrontation during a televised political debate on Wednesday.

Zhu Fenglian, the spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, labeled Lai's remarks as an attack on the mainland and an endorsement of separatist sentiments. She cautioned that such rhetoric could significantly jeopardize the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.

Zhu emphasized that pursuing "Taiwan independence" could escalate into war, contradicting the interests of the people of Taiwan and the overall peace in the region.

She urged Taiwan residents to recognize "the extreme danger of advocating for independence" and choose the path of peace and prosperity.