Taiwan Foreign Minister's 'Democratic Nation' Remark... China Warns of "Firm Resolve to Strike"

Large promotional billboard on the beach in Xiamen, China, with the phrase "One Country, Two Systems Unified China" [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The Chinese government is firmly determined to strike at Taiwan independence forces and has issued a strong warning. This appears to be a backlash against Taiwan's Foreign Minister referring to Taiwan as a "democratic country" in a foreign media interview.

According to China's state-run media Global Times on the 1st, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, solemnly notified the "stubborn Taiwan independence elements," emphasizing that "China's determination and will to strike separatist forces are unwavering and will be severely punished."

This is interpreted as a warning against Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu's statement that "Taiwan is an advanced democratic country." In an interview with the UK's Sky News on the 28th of last month, Minister Wu criticized, "China lies to the international community that Taiwan is a part of it, but it has never ruled Taiwan for a single day," and said, "Liberal democracy is the lifestyle chosen by 23.5 million Taiwanese."

He added, "If the Chinese government invades Taiwan by force, it will have a destructive impact worldwide," and emphasized, "We hope the international community will continue to support free and democratic Taiwan."

Since Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office as Taiwan's president in 2016, Taiwan has openly advocated independence. Minister Wu has also been raising the intensity of his remarks. In particular, this statement denies the "One China" principle and the "One Country, Two Systems" policy advocated by China.

Spokesperson Ma evaluated Minister Wu's remarks as provocation, criticizing, "The DPP and Taiwan independence separatist forces have willingly said they will become pawns of anti-China forces."

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