Mainland spokesperson slams Lai Ching-te's speech as 'Taiwan independence manifesto'

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed a speech made by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, calling it a "Taiwan independence manifesto" that promotes separatist intentions.

On Tuesday, Lai gave a second speech of his so-called "10 talks in unity."

Lai's speech repeated the old rhetoric of "Taiwan independence," deliberately distorting history, attempting to sow hatred and dissatisfaction and exacerbating social division in Taiwan, which is meant to aid him in suppressing opposition forces and making political moves to promote the "Great Recall" campaign, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, when responding to a media query.

Lai in his speech again claimed that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are "not subordinate to each other," deliberately provoking conflict to heighten cross-Straits tensions, said Zhu.

Moreover, Lai wantonly smeared exchanges and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, slandered people's expectations for peace and stability and the mainland's goodwill as "united front infiltration threats," which goes against the will of the people, said Zhu.

She reiterated that both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one China. Only by promoting peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and working together towards complete national reunification can peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits be preserved.

She urged the public to see through Lai's hypocrisy and deception, and to unite in opposing the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, thereby creating a glorious cause for national unity.