President Tsai: "Taiwan is an independent country"... China Reacts, "There is Only One China"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who succeeded in her re-election, stated, "Taiwan is already an independent country, so there is no need for a separate declaration of independence."

President Tsai said this during her first interview with BBC after her re-election on the 14th (local time), adding, "China must face reality and respect Taiwan."

She continued, "The situation has changed. The cross-strait relationship can no longer achieve what was hoped for through ambiguity," emphasizing, "We are already an independent country and call ourselves 'Taiwan.'"

She also added, "We have a different identity from (China), and we cannot accept actions that go against this fact."

Chinese authorities immediately reacted against President Tsai's independence claims.

Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rebutted at a regular briefing on the 15th, saying, "There is only one China in the world," and "The People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China."

He emphasized, "Taiwan is an inseparable part of China," and "The One-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community."

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China also strongly warned against President Tsai's re-election and independence moves.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, was asked about President Tsai's re-election and future changes in China's Taiwan policy during a briefing that day, and he drew a clear line, saying, "The Taiwan election cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China."

Spokesperson Ma said, "If Taiwan opposes this, there will be no way out," adding, "Taiwan independence will have no further escape."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.