China says Taiwan president increasing ‘hostility’

BEIJING: China has accused Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te of escalating “hostility” and pursuing independence, as the self-ruled island prepared to celebrate its National Day.

China, which split with Taiwan at the end of a civil war in 1949, regards the island as part of its territory that must eventually be reunified, by force if necessary.

Lai, who took power in May after his Democratic Progressive Party won a record third term, has been a vocal defender of Taiwan´s sovereignty, angering Beijing.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for a Chinese body in charge of Taiwan affairs, said Lai had “recycled the ´Taiwan independence´ fallacy once again” and exposed “his malicious intent to escalate hostility and confrontation”.

Zhu´s remarks, reported by state media late on Tuesday, were in response to Lai saying it was “impossible” for China to be the “motherland” of Taiwan.

“One of the most important meanings of these celebrations is that we must remember that we are a sovereign and independent country, and we must always cherish and love our country,” Lai said on Saturday ahead of Taiwan´s National Day.