Taiwan Premier Says Returning to China Is Not an Option for the Island’s People

Post by : Saif

Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai has firmly rejected Chinese President Xi Jinping’s latest comments that Taiwan should “return to China.” Speaking to reporters in Taipei on Tuesday, Cho said that the island’s 23 million people would never accept such an idea and that Taiwan is already a fully sovereign and independent country.

Xi Jinping made his remarks during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, repeating Beijing’s long-standing claim that Taiwan became part of China after World War Two. Taiwan’s government strongly disagrees with this view and says that only its own people can choose their future. Cho reminded reporters that Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, governs itself, has democratic elections and has never been under the control of the People’s Republic of China.

The issue of Taiwan has caused new diplomatic tension in Asia. China maintains that Taiwan is its most sensitive national priority and has repeatedly warned other countries not to support Taiwanese independence. Beijing continues to present a “one country, two systems” model for the island, similar to the arrangement once used in Hong Kong. However, this idea has no support among major Taiwanese political parties, and President Lai Ching-te has openly rejected it.

The disagreement has also affected relations between China and Japan. Recent statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that Japan could respond militarily if China were to attack Taiwan. Beijing reacted angrily, and ties between the two countries have worsened since then.

Taiwan’s leaders have long accused China of changing the historical record. They say that China uses documents from the World War Two era to push its political position and isolate Taiwan internationally. Taiwan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said China has been intimidating neighbors like Japan and Taiwan with expansionist behavior and pressure.

The conflict is not only diplomatic. China has increased military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including sending warships, military aircraft, and even balloons across the sensitive Taiwan Strait. On Monday, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported spotting another balloon coming from China. Taiwan believes these flights are part of a broader campaign to harass the island and create fear among its population.

Despite rising military and political pressure, Taiwan continues to stress that its government and people will determine their own direction. The administration has repeated that democracy and self-rule are the foundations of Taiwan’s identity and future. The latest statement from Premier Cho makes it clear that Taiwan sees no path in which it returns to Chinese rule and will continue to resist outside attempts to reshape its status.

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