Taipei dismissed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent comments about Taiwan, labeling Beijing as a troublemaker in the international community and a saboteur of cross-strait peace. Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, emphasized that Taiwan has always been an independent sovereign nation, asserting that neither the Republic of China (ROC) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are subordinate to each other. Lin highlighted that Taiwan’s sovereignty has never belonged to the PRC, stating that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine the country’s future.
Lin Chia-lung pointed out that the Treaty of San Francisco from 1951, signed after World War II, has replaced wartime declarations. He underscored that Taiwan’s liberalization and democratization since the 1980s, along with the nation’s first presidential election in 1996, have solidified the status quo of cross-strait relations. Lin also criticized Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait in recent years for disrupting regional peace and stability, urging Beijing to respect Taiwan’s independence and collaborate for regional peace.
Terming China as a troublemaker and saboteur of cross-strait peace, Lin called on Beijing to acknowledge Taiwan as an independent nation and work together to maintain peace and stability in the region. He urged the international community to condemn China’s unilateral actions to alter the status quo through coercion, military threats, and intimidation of other nations. Lin’s statements were in response to Wang Yi’s assertion that Taiwan has always been part of China and that independence for Taiwan is unattainable.
Wang Yi, speaking at a press conference during the Chinese National People’s Congress, claimed that Taiwan’s return to China was a result of Chinese resistance against Japan in World War II and that any pursuit of independence would fail. He emphasized that the Taiwan issue is China’s internal affair and a core interest, warning against any interference. Wang stated that unification aligns with international expectations and is an inevitable process, citing historical declarations and resolutions to support China’s stance. Despite China’s efforts to reunify Taiwan, the island nation, with strong public support, continues to assert its sovereignty and resist Chinese pressure.
