China on Tuesday, May 21 slammed the inauguration speech of new Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as a "confession of Taiwan independence," and warned it would take "countermeasures."
China considers self-ruled Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. It has branded Lai, who was sworn in on Monday, as a "dangerous separatist." In his speech, Lai said a "glorious era of Taiwan's democracy has arrived" and thanked citizens for "refusing to be swayed by external forces, for resolutely defending democracy."
"Yesterday's speech... can be described as a downright 'confession of Taiwan independence'," a statement from Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) released late Tuesday read. It added that "(China) must take countermeasures and penalize the DPP authorities for colluding with external forces in their provocations for 'independence'."
The statement – attributed to TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua – did not specify what retaliatory measures from Beijing would entail. Chinese warplanes and naval vessels maintain a near-daily presence around the island, but in recent days, there has not been a significant uptick in the numbers.
"I would like to emphasize that no matter what (Lai) says or how he says it, it will not change the status and fact that Taiwan is a part of China... The complete reunification of the motherland must be realized and can certainly be realized," Chen's statement added.
Also on Tuesday, China's foreign minister Wang Yi said that Taiwan "separatists will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history," according to a statement published by the ministry.
Earlier, Beijing said it had complained to the United States over Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulating Taiwan on Lai's swearing-in. Blinken said that he looked forward to Washington and Taipei maintaining "peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Beijing said Tuesday his message "seriously violates the One China principle... and sends a wrong signal to separatist forces."
US President Joe Biden sent a delegation –including former National Economic Council director Brian Deese and ex-deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage – to Taipei for the inauguration. More than 40 other countries, including Japan and Canada, also sent delegations. Eight heads of state from countries that recognize Taiwan were also present.
China on Tuesday strongly condemned their attendance, calling it "crude interference in China's internal affairs" and saying it "endanger(ed) peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."