Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has said it is “impossible” for the People’s Republic of China to become the motherland of Taiwan’s people, reiterating his view that Taiwan is distinct from China.
Lai delivered an address at an event on Saturday to mark Double Tenth Day. Taiwan considers October 10 as its national day.
He said that while the People’s Republic of China celebrated its 75th birthday on October 1, the Republic of China is about to turn 113 years old in several days. Taiwan uses the Republic of China as its official name.
Lai stressed that in terms of age, the People’s Republic of China will never be considered the motherland of the Republic of China’s people. He added that Taiwan may be the motherland of people in China who are 75 or older.
In his inauguration speech in May, the Taiwanese president said he will maintain the status quo in Taiwan’s relations with China. He also said Taiwan and Beijing “are not subordinate to each other.”
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and is wary of Lai as a separatist. It considers the “one-China” principle as a prerequisite for Beijing to engage in dialogue with Taiwan.