Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Jiang Bin Answers Questions from Reporters on the Taiwan Region Leader's "5.20" Speech
Reporter: According to reports, Lai Ching-te delivered a speech on May 20, claiming that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is Taiwan's "strategic goal," advocating for the strengthening of asymmetric warfare capabilities and enhancing "national defense resilience." What is your comment on this?
Jiang Bin: In the face of the inevitable trend of national reunification and the profound adjustments in the international landscape, Lai Ching-te remains obsessed with the illusion of "relying on external forces to seek independence," using the so-called "peace" as a guise to peddle the fallacy of "Taiwan independence," inciting "using force to seek independence and reject unification," attempting to change the fundamental status of Taiwan belonging to China, placing the ambition for "independence" above the welfare of the Taiwanese people, which is nothing but self-deception and a miscalculation.
The Lai Ching-te administration disregards national righteousness and the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, colluding with external forces to provoke "independence," which is the root cause of the tense and turbulent situation in the Taiwan Strait. Their stubborn adherence to the unattainable obsession with "Taiwan independence" further exploits the hard-earned money of the common people to curry favor with foreign powers, forcibly binding the Taiwanese people to the "Taiwan independence" chariot, step by step pushing Taiwan into a perilous situation of war and danger. I warn the Democratic Progressive Party authorities that no matter how much money they spend or how many weapons they buy, it is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot or an egg trying to strike a stone; "using force to seek independence" is a dead end, while national reunification is the bright path.
Territory cannot be divided, and the nation cannot be scattered; "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are irreconcilable. The People's Liberation Army maintains a high level of readiness at all times, resolutely thwarting any attempts at "Taiwan independence," and firmly defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On May 20, 2023, Taiwan's leadership emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait while promoting asymmetric warfare capabilities. In response, a Chinese spokesperson criticized Taiwan's independence aspirations, asserting that such actions provoke tensions and threaten national sovereignty. The People's Liberation Army remains on high alert to counter any moves towards independence.
- Taiwan's leadership claims maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait is a strategic goal.
- China criticizes Taiwan's leadership for promoting independence and provoking tensions.
- The People's Liberation Army maintains high alert to counter any independence moves.