The Chinese mainland has criticized Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's inauguration speech on Monday for saying the Chinese mainland and Taiwan region do not belong to each other. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said "Taiwan independence" is incompatible with peace across the Taiwan Straits, and the mainland’s will to resolve the Taiwan question and complete national reunification is as firm as a rock. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a firm stance when asked for a response to Lai Ching-te's speech, saying that "Taiwan independence" is a dead end and regardless of its pretexts or purposes, it is doomed to fail.