Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Chen Xi Answers Questions from Reporters Regarding Lai Ching-te's So-Called "Double Ten" Speech

Reporter: According to reports, Lai Ching-te recently delivered a so-called "Double Ten" speech, hyping up the mainland's continued military actions to pressure changes in the status quo of the Taiwan Strait, calling for increased defense investment, and strengthening "the resilience of the whole society in defense." What is your comment on this?

Chen Xi: There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is a part of China; this is the true status quo of the Taiwan Strait. Lai Ching-te stubbornly insists on the "Taiwan independence" stance, distorts right and wrong, exaggerates the so-called "mainland military threat," incites confrontation across the strait, and attempts to "seek independence through force" and "rely on foreign powers to seek independence," once again exposing the essence of his "disaster for Taiwan" and "calamity for peace."

In recent years, the DPP authorities have been pursuing "independence" while rejecting unification for their own party's interests, flattering foreign powers, and forcefully promoting the so-called "everyone a soldier" and "the whole island as a battlefield," binding the Taiwanese people to the "Taiwan independence" war chariot, undermining the stability of the Taiwan Strait, and sacrificing Taiwan's future. The PLA's regular training activities around the island of Taiwan are aimed at deterring "Taiwan independence" provocations and foreign interference schemes, maintaining the safety and well-being of the Taiwanese people, which is justifiable and beyond reproach.

"Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are irreconcilable; national reunification is an inevitable trend, a matter of righteousness, and the will of the people. We hope that our Taiwanese compatriots recognize the extreme danger and harm of Lai Ching-te's stubborn pursuit of "independence," and join us in resolutely combating the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, opposing external interference, jointly safeguarding our beautiful homeland of peace and tranquility, and sharing the blessings and glory of national rejuvenation.