Lai Ching-te Photo: VCG

Taiwan's regional leader Lai Ching-te bears two prominent "labels": a complete "worker for Taiwan independence" and a thorough "peace disruptor." These labels were once again reaffirmed in his so-called inaugural speech on May 20.

The speech was filled with hostility and provocation, lies and deception. In it, Lai took an even more radical and reckless stance on "Taiwan independence," vigorously promoting separatist fallacies such as the so-called "sovereign independence," "both sides of the Taiwan Straits are not subordinate to each other" and "the future of Taiwan will be decided by Taiwan residents." He desperately sought the backing and support of external forces, attempting to internationalize the "Taiwan question," and continued to "seek independence by relying on foreign support and by force." This speech is a thorough confession of "Taiwan independence." As the successor to Tsai Ing-wen and the new leading figure of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority, Lai's actions once again revealed his "independence" nature, with an extremely arrogant attitude and more radical propositions.

Lai's vile behavior is a blatant provocation and destruction of the one-China principle and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits. If his plans succeed, it would result in the most dangerous alteration of the status quo in the Taiwan Straits and the most severe damage to its peace, only exacerbating the tension and turmoil in the region and bringing immense suffering to the Taiwan residents.

The "Taiwan independence" separatist forces betray the national interest, go against the will of the people, and severely harm the sovereignty, security and developmental interests of the country. This will not be tolerated or condoned. The mainland will undoubtedly take strong countermeasures to punish Lai's malicious provocations. Here, we need to clarify three points in advance.

First, the mainland's countermeasures will be precisely targeted at "independence." Both sides of the Straits are Chinese and belong to the Chinese nation. No one wishes more than we do to achieve national reunification through peaceful means. However, we must counter and punish the DPP authorities' provocations of seeking "independence" and colluding with external forces. As the saying goes, pursuing "Taiwan independence" will ultimately result in reunification. The more radical Lai and the DPP authorities' provocations become, the earlier they will bring about their demise. Provoke once, and the mainland will counter once; the greater the provocation, the stronger the countermeasure. If they continue to act recklessly, it will only accelerate their self-destruction.

Second, the mainland's countermeasures will not remain just verbal. Our "toolbox" is increasingly well-equipped, our capability for substantial countermeasures is continuously strengthening, and our measures are becoming more precise and effective. Furthermore, these countermeasures will be implemented in the manner and pace that we decide, ensuring that the results of our counteractions will further consolidate and strengthen the mainland's control and initiative over the Taiwan Straits situation.

Third, external forces should not fan the flames. According to the usual "script," external forces and the DPP authorities are likely to bring up "peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," exaggerating the tension in the region and attempting to blame the mainland for the situation. They will deliberately ignore the fact that it is due to "Taiwan independence" provocations and external interference that the peaceful environment and conditions in the Taiwan Straits have been undermined.

The one-China principle is the anchor for maintaining peace in the Taiwan Straits. The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is at the core of China's core interests, leaving no room for compromise. External forces must understand that attempts to use Taiwan to contain China are doomed to fail. Today's China is not the one of 100 years ago, and today's world is not the one of 100 years ago. The determination of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to achieve national reunification is unwavering. For any act of infringement or provocation by anti-China forces, China will resolutely fight back each and every time. The Taiwan question will inevitably be resolved with the rejuvenation of the nation, and China will undoubtedly achieve complete reunification. The attempt to use Taiwan to contain China and to interfere with or delay the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is nothing but delusion.

"Taiwan independence" means war; it is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Straits and runs counter to the interests of the Taiwan compatriots. From 2008 to 2016, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits walked hand in hand on the path of peaceful development, creating a warm and flourishing atmosphere across the Straits. However, after the DPP came to power and refused to acknowledge the one-China principle, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse, and cross-Straits relations quickly froze. Over the subsequent eight years, the DPP authorities have engaged in countless provocations aimed at seeking "Taiwan independence."

Regarding Lai Ching-te's "confession" of "Taiwan independence," some individuals on the island have harshly criticized it, stating strongly that Lai's commitment to "independence" is unprecedented. This has made it clear to the world that for the sake of power and personal gain, Lai is willing to undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and push Taiwan into a more dangerous situation. Who is responsible for ruining cross-Straits relations, causing turmoil in the previously calm Taiwan Straits, leading Taiwan into a perilous situation, and bringing great disaster to the residents on the island? The answer is obvious.

No matter what Lai says or how he says it, he cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China, nor can he change the fundamental pattern and development direction of cross-Straits relations. He cannot change the shared aspiration of people on both sides of the Straits to grow closer and more connected, nor can he block the historical trend of national reunification. Our determination to solve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification is as firm as a rock, our ability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unbreakable, and our actions against "Taiwan independence" and foreign interference are resolute and powerful. If Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities persist in their doomed path of "Taiwan independence," they will ultimately crash and burn.