TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — At the National Day celebrations on Friday, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) used the event as a platform to criticize the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

In his speech Han said there are multiple dangers facing Taiwan that must be recognized and confronted. He referred to these threats as “invisible barrier lakes” likening them to the recent barrier lake disaster that devastated Hualien following Typhoon Ragasa, reported CNA. 

He said the major problems facing Taiwan including the increased likelihood of war driven by anti-China sentiment, and the economic and social costs of green energy ideology. Han also accused the DPP of tearing society apart with the Great Recall campaign and criticized the government for damaging Taiwan’s business environment via tariff negotiations with the US. 

Han called for an end to political partisanship, otherwise he said the dangerous “barrier lakes” might overflow and threaten Taiwan’s democratic society and people’s livelihoods. Han suggested that the government shift course, so that the “invisible barrier lakes” can be transformed into “sacred mountains” and safeguard Taiwan’s future, per CNA.

DPP Spokesperson Justin Wu (吳崢) criticized Han’s remarks, saying he expressed "personal, superficial political opinions,” and the metaphorical use of the recent Mataian Barrier Lake disaster was inappropriate. Wu said it was regrettable that the leader of the Legislative Yuan would use the National Day celebrations to launch political attacks, per UDN.