‘Ignorant' to call Taiwan a country, Beijing says to Taipei's foreign minister
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te told military officers that 'precious' freedom and democracy must be guarded by strength and constant vigilance. (AP pic)
BEIJING : It is 'arrogant and ignorant' to call Taiwan a country and its future can only be decided by China's 1.4 billion people, the Chinese foreign ministry said today in a rebuff to the democratically-governed island's foreign minister.
China views Taiwan as its own territory and says the island is one of its provinces with no right to be called a state. It has stepped up military and political pressure to assert those claims, including increasing the intensity of war games.
Taiwan's foreign minister Lin Chia-lung said on Wednesday that China had no authority to decide whether Taiwan was a country because the island chooses its own government. He added that he would be happy to shake the hand of his Chinese opposite number, Wang Yi, in friendship.
Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning said Taiwan had never been a country.
'The relevant remarks only reveal that certain somebody's arrogance and ignorance, and they are naked provocations for Taiwan independence,' she said.
'The future of Taiwan can only be decided by the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots, and China will and must be reunified eventually, which is a historical trend that no force can stop.'
Taiwan's formal name is the Republic of China, the name of the government which in 1949 fled to the island after losing a bloody civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who established the People's Republic of China. Taipei says Beijing has no right to speak for the island nor claim it as its own.
In a video released today by his office, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te told military officers that 'precious' freedom and democracy must be guarded by strength and constant vigilance.
'Freedom and democracy are not gifts that fall from the sky; they are the fruits of the perseverance and sacrifice of generations of courageous people,' he said, in footage filmed on Friday when Lai was visiting the armed forces in southern Taiwan.
Lai, who China describes as a 'separatist', this week marked one year since he took office. China has rebuffed repeated offers from him for talks.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
China and Myanmar commemorate 75 years of ties with emphasis on bilateral cooperation, support
Dancers perform during a celebration for the Spring Festival. The event aimed to boost China-Myanmar cultural exchange at the China Cultural Centre in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan 24, 2025. - Xinhua YANGON: The 75th anniversary of China-Myanmar diplomatic ties was marked with events in Yangon and Mandalay on Thursday (June 5), with a focus on bilateral cooperation and China's ongoing support for Myanmar. In Yangon, a commemorative event was organised to mark the anniversary alongside the International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations. Meanwhile, a forum welcoming the diplomatic milestone took place in Mandalay. Hundreds of representatives from government agencies, non-governmental organisations, businesses, think tanks and academic institutions from both China and Myanmar attended the Yangon event, highlighting the longstanding "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship between the two countries. Myo Aung, chief minister of Mandalay region, said in his speech at the event in Mandalay that over the past 75 years, Myanmar and China have continuously deepened cooperation in various fields such as science and technology, culture, education, sports and health. He added that Myanmar actively supports the joint implementation of major projects, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor and the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline. U Tin Oo, chairman of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association, said at the event in Yangon that China's Belt and Road Initiative has strengthened global cooperation and promoted common development. He noted that the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism has played a vital role in fostering peace, stability and development in the region. Ma Jia, Chinese ambassador to Myanmar, also addressed the event in Yangon. She said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar in 1950, bilateral relations have withstood the test of international changes and have always developed steadily. The two sides have worked hand in hand, and the people are close to each other and have helped each other, said the ambassador, adding that she hoped non-governmental organisations of both countries will continue to promote the construction of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future. Gao Ping, Chinese consul general in Mandalay, delivered a speech at the event in Mandalay, saying that no matter how the international situation changes, China has always adhered to the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. She added that China considers Myanmar as a good neighbour with blood ties, as a relative, and as a friend, and has always taken the well-being of the two peoples as the starting point and foothold for formulating policies toward Myanmar. - Xinhua
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
US-China renewed dialogue seen lifting Malaysia's trade outlook
KUALA LUMPUR: Renewed trade talks between the United States and China are expected to boost investor confidence and strengthen Malaysia's trade momentum, an economist said. Putra Business School economist Professor Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said any move to reduce tariffs between the two economic giants could steady the sails for Malaysia by boosting confidence and trade visibility. "If the US and China agree to resume talks and reach a deal to reduce tariffs on each other, Malaysia's trade environment and investor sentiment will become less volatile and uncertain," he told Business Times. "This would boost investor confidence and encourage continued investment in Malaysia," Razman added, noting that while tensions persist, Malaysia is taking steps to shield its economy. Razman also expects Malaysia's export markets and supply chains to remain competitive, although growth may moderate slightly. This, he said, is supported by ongoing efforts to diversify export destinations, grow the country's trading partnerships and enhance intra-Asean trade. Should US-China negotiations break down again, he said the impact on Malaysia would likely remain limited. "There will be some negative impact but it will be minimum as majority of Malaysia's products such as semiconductor will not be subjected to higher tariffs by the US," he said. Trump and Xi held a 90-minute phone conversation on Thursday, marking their first direct dialogue since Trump resumed office. The call, widely viewed as a positive step towards easing the prolonged trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, laid the groundwork for renewed bilateral cooperation and the resumption of high-level trade negotiations. Both leaders agreed to restart trade talks, with senior US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, expected to meet their Chinese counterparts. The timing and venue for these negotiations have yet to be finalised but are anticipated to be announced in the coming weeks. Although the call sparked market optimism, US stocks closed lower as a sharp decline in Tesla shares outweighed the positive momentum from progress in US-China tariff negotiations. Tesla shares plunged over 14 per cent in heavy trading as the escalating public feud between Trump and businessman Elon Musk rattled investors, wiping out about US$150 billion in market value. Razman downplayed concerns over the spat saying, "The impact on Malaysia will be minimal, as the fallout primarily affects the SpaceX program and Tesla production."
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Selangor Sultan extends Aidiladha greetings, calls for stricter measures against rising haj scams
SHAH ALAM, June 7 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed sadness and disappointment over the rise in fraudulent haj travel packages affecting Muslims in the country. His Royal Highness said it was especially disheartening that those exploiting the situation were Muslims themselves, who were willing to deceive their fellow believers for personal gain. In this regard, His Royal Highness decreed that stern action be taken against any individual or travel agency offering haj packages that take advantage of and deceive Muslims. Sultan Sharafuddin said this in a post on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page, in which His Royal Highness and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, extended Hari Raya Aidiladha greetings to Muslims across Malaysia. Sultan Sharafuddin also called on Muslims to uphold the sanctity of the haj by ensuring that all arrangements are made through licensed and recognised agents and companies authorised by the authorities to manage haj and umrah affairs. At the same time, Their Royal Highnesses prayed that Malaysian pilgrims would be granted a mabrur haj and return home safely. According to the statement, the Sultan and the Tengku Permaisuri also hoped that this Aidiladha would inspire all Muslims to be grateful for Allah's blessings and to perform the sacrificial rites to help the poor, as well as reflect on the plight of the less fortunate. — Bernama
