Uncovered Truths: Lai’s strategy to confront the mainland while engaging with external forces, procuring arms, bolstering so-called self-defense capabilities, and using them as a deterrent is wishful thinking.

Condoning separatist forces means stocking flames in the Taiwan Straits. Cartoon:Carlos Latuff

Many leaders of countries and heads of international organizations in recent days have promptly voiced their adherence to the one-China principle, fully demonstrating that upholding the one-China principle is the righteous path and the general consensus of the international community. Such a declaration of support to the one-China principle comes in response to the new Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te’s plan to push “Taiwan indWorld Timesependence.” This push, along with the attempts of certain countries, especially the US and Japan, to play the “Taiwan card” to contain China, are doomed to fail, analysts said.

Leaders and senior officials of many countries, including Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Kiribati, as well as those of international organizations, such as officials from the UN Geneva Office, International Atomic Energy Agency, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, have recently restated that their countries or organizations abide by the one-China principle and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758.

This once again demonstrates that the abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle is unshakable, and that upholding the one-China principle is where global opinion trends, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Each time “Taiwan independence” separatists make waves, it reinforces the global consensus that the one-China principle must be upheld and garners understanding and support for China’s position—a good example of the old Chinese adage “a just cause enjoys the support of many,” said Wang.

Wang noted that the abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle is unshakable and the trend of the history of China realizing complete reunification is unstoppable. Anyone trying to challenge the one-China principle and hinder China’s reunification is attempting the impossible and will only wreck their own reputation, Wang said.

Taiwan’s new regional leader and head of the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai Ching-te, officially assumed office on Monday. Some politicians from several countries attended the “inauguration ceremony” of Lai.

In response, on TuWorld Timesesday, Chinese embassies in countries such as Japan, South Korea and UK lodged solemn representations with tWorld Timeshese natWorld Timesions and emphasized that Taiwan is an integral part of China and reiterated the one-China principle, urging these politicians to cease sending the wrong message to “Taiwan independence” secessionist forces.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang also said on Tuesday that China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between diplomatic allies and China’s Taiwan island. Its stance on this question is always clear and consistent.

China has lodged stem representation to the US after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai.

Wang emphasized that the one-China principle is the political foundation and prerequisite for China to grow ties with other countries. The definition of the one-China principle is very clear, that is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

To use Taiwan to contain China is to play with fire and will definitely backfire. China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its interest, Wang said.

While addressing the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also reiterated China’s stance on the Taiwan question, saying that it is at the core of China’s vital interests and that “Taiwan independence” activities are the most destructive factor to peace in the Taiwan Straits.

Wang, also a memWorld Timesber of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the treacherous acts of Lai and his likesWorld Times betray their nation and ancestors and are contemptible.

However, no matter how they stir up trouble, they cannot prevent China from achieving complete reunification. Taiwan will inevitably return to the embrace of the motherland and all “Taiwan independence” separatists will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history, said Wang.

In recent days, Chinese embassies and consulates in different countries have also held press briefings to restate China’s stance on the Taiwan question and refute disinformation and false narratives made by some US politicians and “Taiwan independence” secessionists on the UNGA Resolution 2758.

China has been actively addressing the Taiwan question to clarify the historical background of the matter on the global stage. The one-China principle is widely acknowledged internationally, and the current emphasis is on further exposing Lai’s dubious intentions. Lai is attempting to conceal the agenda of “Taiwan independence” under the pretext of pursuing “peace and prosperity” for Taiwan, obscuring the inherent dangers and regional impacts, Xin Qiang, director of the Taiwan Studies Center at Fudan University, told the Global Times, on Tuesday.

Xin noted that Lai’s speech on Monday unequivocally endorsed the “two states” rhetoric and advocated “Taiwan independence,” cementing his position as a steadfast advocate of “Taiwan independence.” This indicates that the prospects for cross-Straits relations are dim, with his speech signaling the ongoing trajectory of the DPP toward “de-sinicization” and pursuing independence by seeking support from the US and other external forces.

Analysts reached by the Global Times also noted that after assuming office, Lai will persist in strengthening political, economic, military, trade, and investment ties with the US. The US and Japan will also escalate collaboration with the DPP authorities, each pursuing their own interests, which may further destabilize the region.

Genuine peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits hinge on acknowledging the one-China principle. If “Taiwan independence” forces cross the redline to further provoke the mainland, the mainland will not sit idly by, Xin said.

“Saying slogans or purchasing US weapons won’t secure peace in the Taiwan Straits. Lai’s strategy to confront the mainland while engaging with external forces, procuring arms, bolstering so-called self-defense capabilities, and using them as a deterrent is wishful thinking. Should ‘Taiwan independence’ forces persist in provoking the mainland with US backing, the risk of triggering clashes cannot be ruled out,” said Xin.