Taiwan President Challenges China's Territorial Claims

In a recent interview, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te argued that if China's claims on Taiwan were genuinely about territorial integrity, it should also seek to reclaim lands ceded to Russia in the 19th century, specifically referencing the 1858 Treaty of Aigun. Lai emphasized that China's motives for wanting to annex Taiwan are not rooted in territorial claims but rather in a desire for regional hegemony and altering the global order. He pointed out that Taiwan's governance is a matter for its people and that historical injustices regarding territorial claims should lead China to address its own grievances with Russia. Lai’s comments come amid rising tensions, as China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control. He noted that the democratic values of Taiwan should not be seen as a challenge by China, reiterating the importance of unity among Taiwanese people in facing aggression. Lai's statements have drawn criticism from Beijing, which labels him a 'separatist.'