TAIPEI (TVBS News) — China's U.S. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu (劉鵬宇) criticized Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) Monday (Dec. 2), responding to Lai's Nov. 25 Washington Post op-ed emphasizing Taiwan's strategic response to regional security challenges. Liu reaffirmed China's territorial claims over Taiwan in a letter to The Washington Post editor, escalating cross-strait diplomatic tensions.
Liu stated Taiwan is part of China's territory and claimed no basis exists for a Taiwan president, rejecting Lai's legitimacy. The spokesperson accused Taiwan independence separatists and external forces of altering the Taiwan Strait status quo, escalating Beijing's rhetoric against the Lai administration. Liu asserted that pursuing independence or resisting reunification by force would fail, warning against separatist movements.
Liu stated the Taiwan issue relates to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, not democracy. The spokesperson reminded readers the U.S. acknowledged Taiwan as part of China when establishing diplomatic relations and recognized the People's Republic of China as China's sole legal government. Liu added the U.S. promised not to pursue two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan policies.
Liu criticized the Taiwan Relations Act, a U.S. law governing unofficial Taiwan ties, and the Six Assurances, arguing they violate three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqués and the one-China principle. The spokesperson urged Taiwan authorities to adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, a disputed framework for cross-strait dialogue. Liu called on the U.S. to honor its commitment to the one-China principle. ◼
