Lai's confrontational approach making dialogue impossible

A Chinese mainland spokesman on Tuesday criticized Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's recent comments on cross-Strait relations, accusing him of using "two-faced tactics" and saying his separatist stance is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said in Beijing that Lai's confrontational approach leaves no room for dialogue. His remarks came in response to Lai's address marking his first year in office and recent interviews in which Lai discussed relations with the mainland.

Chen said Lai's rhetoric reflects a strategy of seeking foreign backing and military support to advance separatist goals, while portraying the mainland as a "threat" by framing cross-Strait tensions as a clash between "democracy and authoritarianism". Such narratives, he said, further escalate tensions.

Lai has also promoted economic decoupling from the mainland and placed restrictions on cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, Chen said.

He condemned what he called the hypocrisy of Lai's stated willingness to engage with the mainland on the basis of "mutual respect", while pushing to revive negotiations under what Chen called a "two-state" framework.

"His two-faced tactics are doomed to fail," Chen said, adding that regardless of the rhetoric, Taiwan's status of being part of China and the trend toward reunification remain unchanged.

The mainland remains ready to hold talks with political parties, groups and individuals in Taiwan to promote reunification and expand cooperation, Chen said, reiterating the one-China principle as the basis for such dialogue.

In recent days, large-scale protests have taken place in Taipei, Taichung and other cities, where demonstrators voiced anger over what they view as poor governance and ineffective policymaking by Taiwan authorities.

On Monday, Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, held a rally in which participants honked car horns twice to express dissatisfaction and call for Lai's resignation.

Recent polls show growing public discontent. A TVBS survey found Lai's dissatisfaction rating has risen to 55 percent — the highest since he took office.

A separate poll by the United Daily News found 53 percent of respondents dissatisfied with his governance, compared with 37 percent who expressed satisfaction. It marked the highest dissatisfaction level for an island leader nearing their first anniversary in recent years.

Criticism of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party centers on its handling of cross-Strait ties and issues on the island. On Tuesday, the Kuomintang released a list of 10 broken promises and policy failures by Lai's administration, including setbacks in tariff negotiations with the United States and shortcomings in energy policy.

The island's pro-reunification Labor Party said the economy, industrial development, labor conditions and cross-Strait relations have all suffered, urging Lai to respond to public concerns and change policies that have increased tensions with the mainland.

Wang Dan-ping, a professor at Taiwan's Fu Jen Catholic University, said cross-Strait relations have become increasingly tense under the DPP, which relies on the US for support and has labeled the mainland an "external hostile force".

Wang said Taiwan should see the mainland as family rather than an adversary, adding that only by doing so can peace be achieved between the two sides.

zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn