TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defended Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) remarks on Saturday (Oct. 5) that it is "impossible" for the People's Republic of China (PRC) to be the “motherland” of Taiwan.
As the PRC commemorated its 75th anniversary on Oct. 1 and Taiwan prepares to celebrate its National Day on Thursday (Oct. 10), Lai spoke at a celebration event at Taipei Dome. He said, "Our nearest neighbor, the People's Republic of China, just celebrated its 75th birthday on Oct. 1… In a few days, the Republic of China (Taiwan, ROC) will celebrate its 113th birthday."
Lai pointed out that the ROC was established before the PRC: “Therefore, considering age, it is absolutely impossible for the People's Republic of China to be the 'motherland' of the people of the Republic of China.”
Lai’s remarks attracted international media attention and sparked criticism from opposition Kuomintang (KMT) politicians, per CNA.
On Sunday (Oct. 6), the DPP issued a statement defending Lai: “President Lai's speech clarified the pragmatic status of cross-strait relations with clear and simple logic, fully complied with the Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan), accurately mentioned the people of the Republic of China, and emphasized that the Republic of China has continued to exist since 1911.”
The statement continued, "It not only refutes China's so-called 'one China,' 'motherland,' and other United Front rhetoric but also exposes the distorted positions of many cross-strait politicians confused by [the concept of] 'motherland.’”
The DPP added that this position runs contrary to Taiwanese public opinion and urged the KMT to stop spreading “PRC propaganda rhetoric."
In response, the KMT issued a press release, calling on President Lai “to regard all elements of the Republic of China as major symbols of the nation's spirit." It continued, “Over the past 113 years, the ROC has gone through so much suffering… to achieve Taiwan's democracy and freedom today.”
Meanwhile, Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑), director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, accused Lai of causing instability in the Taiwan Strait and harming the interests of the Taiwanese people, saying that the ROC constitution “stipulates both mainland China and Taiwan belong to China.” He added, "If you want to treat the mainland as a foreign country and deny that you are Chinese, then President Lai, please amend the constitution.”