Taiwan's President Rejects China's 'Motherland' Claim in Defiant Speech

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has firmly rejected the notion that mainland China could be considered Taiwan's 'motherland,' citing the historical fact that Taiwan's government predates the People's Republic of China. In a National Day speech, Lai emphasized that Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, has a longer history, celebrating its 113th anniversary, compared to the PRC's 75 years. Lai's remarks come amid heightened tensions with Beijing, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province. The speech underscores Taiwan's resistance to Beijing's sovereignty claims and highlights the ongoing political rivalry between the two governments.