China calls Taiwan president frontrunner a destroyer of peace
China's government has labeled the leading contender for Taiwan's upcoming presidency as 'confrontational' and a disruptor of peace following his remarks during a presidential debate, where he emphasized the island's sovereignty and its people's right to independence.
The presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for January 13 occur against the backdrop of strained relations between Beijing and Taipei. China has notably increased military pressure to affirm its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, a nation governed democratically.
China has singled out Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate representing Taiwan's ruling Democratic Party (DPP) and currently leading in various opinion polls. China's criticism characterizes Lai as a perilous separatist figure.
In response to Lai's statements during a live televised presidential debate, China's Taiwan Affairs Office issued a late Saturday response, denouncing Lai's stance as he 'revealed his true identity as a steadfast advocate for Taiwan's independence and a disruptor of peace in the Taiwan Strait.'
Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, conveyed in a statement, 'His remarks exhibited a confrontational mindset.'
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