Fact Check: "China's foreign ministry calls Taiwan's vice-president a 'diehard separatist'"
What We Know
On January 10, 2024, the spokesperson for Mainland China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Chen Binhua, made remarks regarding Taiwan's political climate, specifically targeting Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's vice-president. Chen accused Lai of following the "Tsai Ing-wen path," which he described as a trajectory towards "Taiwan independence" and characterized Lai as a "diehard separatist" (source-1). This statement aligns with China's longstanding position against Taiwan's independence, which it views as a threat to its sovereignty and regional stability.
Analysis
The claim that China's foreign ministry labeled Taiwan's vice-president as a "diehard separatist" is substantiated by official statements from Chinese government representatives. Chen Binhua's comments were made in the context of criticizing Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for its pro-independence stance, which has been a consistent theme in Chinese rhetoric since the DPP came to power in 2016 (source-1).
The reliability of the source is high, as it comes directly from the official statements of the Chinese government, specifically the Taiwan Affairs Office, which is responsible for handling cross-strait relations. However, it is essential to consider the potential bias in these statements, as they are part of China's broader strategy to delegitimize any movements toward Taiwanese independence and to frame them as threats to peace and stability in the region (source-1).
Additionally, other reports have corroborated the sentiment expressed by Chen, indicating that the Chinese government frequently uses terms like "diehard separatist" to describe Taiwanese leaders who advocate for independence (source-7). This consistent use of language serves to reinforce China's narrative against Taiwan's sovereignty aspirations.
Conclusion
The claim that China's foreign ministry referred to Taiwan's vice-president as a "diehard separatist" is True. This assertion is supported by direct quotes from Chinese officials and aligns with the country's established position on Taiwan's political landscape. The context of the statement reflects China's ongoing opposition to any form of Taiwanese independence, which it perceives as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.
