Fact Check: China labels Taiwan's sovereignty stance as 'heresy'.

Fact Check: "China labels Taiwan's sovereignty stance as 'heresy'"

What We Know

On June 23, 2025, Chinese authorities accused Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te of spreading "heresy" following a speech in which he asserted that Taiwan is "of course" a country, supported by historical and legal evidence. The Chinese government, particularly through its Taiwan Affairs Office, condemned Lai's remarks as a distortion of history aimed at promoting Taiwan independence. They described his statements as a "Taiwan independence declaration" that incited cross-strait confrontation and labeled them as "fallacies and heresies" (Reuters) [source-1].

In the context of Taiwan's political status, China views Taiwan as a part of its territory, claiming it has been Chinese land since ancient times. Conversely, Taiwan's government, led by President Lai, rejects this view, asserting that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future (AsiaOne) [source-4]. The term "heresy" in this context reflects China's strong opposition to any assertions of Taiwanese sovereignty that deviate from its narrative.

Analysis

The claim that China labeled Taiwan's sovereignty stance as "heresy" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The statements from China's Taiwan Affairs Office directly reference Lai's speech and explicitly use the term "heresy" to describe his assertions about Taiwan's independence (Reuters) [source-1]. This is a significant political statement, as it highlights the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan regarding sovereignty and national identity.

The reliability of the sources reporting this incident, such as Reuters and AsiaOne, is generally high. Reuters is known for its rigorous journalistic standards and fact-checking processes. The AsiaOne report corroborates the Reuters account, providing additional context about the political implications of Lai's speech and China's reaction (AsiaOne) [source-4].

However, it is important to note that while these sources are credible, they may still reflect a Western perspective on the issue, which can sometimes frame the narrative in a way that emphasizes Taiwan's viewpoint over China's. This potential bias should be considered when evaluating the overall context of the statements made.

Conclusion

The claim that "China labels Taiwan's sovereignty stance as 'heresy'" is True. The evidence from reliable news sources confirms that Chinese officials explicitly used the term "heresy" in response to President Lai's statements about Taiwan's status as a country. This reflects the broader political tensions surrounding Taiwan's sovereignty and highlights the contrasting views held by China and Taiwan regarding their historical and political relationship.