Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council

The New Year’s address delivered by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te was filled with lies and nonsense, hostility and malice, and once again peddled the fallacy of "Taiwan independence," and incited cross-Straits confrontation, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Thursday.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, slammed Lai’s New Year address as repeating the old tune of "democracy versus authoritarianism" in an attempt to mislead the people of Taiwan and international public opinion, which exposed his stubborn "Taiwan independence" stance and his obstinate confrontational thinking, and fully confirming that he is a "saboteur of peace," "creator of crises" and "instigator of war."

On Thursday morning, Lai delivered his 2026 New Year’s address, in which he hyped “China’s rising expansionary ambitions” and boasted that his position is “to staunchly defend national sovereignty, strengthen national defense, enhance whole-of-society defense and resilience, and comprehensively establish robust deterrence and democratic defense mechanisms.”

Chen noted that since taking office, Lai has defied mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, stubbornly adhering to his "Taiwan independence" separatist stance, constantly fabricating separatist fallacies, deliberately escalating cross-Straits confrontation, and exacerbating tensions in the Taiwan Straits. 

To pursue his own political gains, he has squandered public funds by engaging in tactics such as "preparing for war and pursuing independence" and "nationwide mobilization," binding the people to the "Taiwan independence" chariot and pushing Taiwan toward the perilous brink of conflict. 

Lai has blindly flattered and submitted to external forces, severely damaging the vital interests of the Taiwan people and businesses; on the island, he has implemented "authoritarian rule," wantonly trampling on democracy, undermining the rule of law, restricting freedom, engaging in "green terror," and suppressing dissent, creating a chilling effect.

“How can someone with such a tarnished record have the right or the audacity to talk about ‘democracy,’ ‘freedom,’ ‘justice,’ and ‘unity’?” Chen questioned.

Chen noted that no matter what Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities say or do, they cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China and the inevitable defeat of "Taiwan independence." 

The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, and the complete reunification of the motherland will surely be realized.

He expressed the hope that the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots would see clearly the evil nature and serious harm of "Taiwan independence," firmly stand on the right side of history, resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference, and work with the mainland to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and jointly create a bright future for national rejuvenation and the reunification of the motherland.

Global Times