Lai's support of Tokyo-Manila scheme shows his true colors

The current leader of China's Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te, has once again revealed his die-hard secessionist agenda, this time by criticizing the Chinese mainland's legitimate maritime law enforcement activities in the waters east of Taiwan island. His rhetoric not only disregards international norms but also endorses the provocations of foreign countries interfering in China's internal affairs.

Lai supported the "maritime delimitation" attempt by Japan and the Philippines, saying the Chinese mainland had no right to "intervene". He also accused the China Coast Guard of "fueling regional anxiety" with its legal operations.

The "maritime delimitation" attempts by Japan and the Philippines are themselves illegal. China's law enforcement patrols in these waters, which are entirely justified and in accordance with the law, are aimed at safeguarding the country's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

In fact, immediately after Japan and the Philippines announced they would hold the so-called "maritime delimitation" talks in waters where China has its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, Lai offered his support, once again exposing his willingness to betray the Chinese nation and flatter external forces for his narrow ends.

The move by Japan and the Philippines seriously violates international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the basic norms of international relations, gravely infringing upon China's maritime rights and interests.

Their "maritime delimitation" scheme is nothing but a political farce laden with absurdity and ignorance. A quick glance at the map reveals the strategic significance of Taiwan's location. For Tokyo and Manila to lay false claim to the waters east of the Chinese island is like two neighbors trespassing into another's front yard and carving up the garden.

But instead of denouncing their shenanigans, Lai has seized the opportunity to vigorously spread "Taiwan independence" secessionist fallacies and incite anti-Beijing sentiments — an act that is "vile, shameless and destined to be held accountable", as a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said.

In another example of external interference in the Taiwan question, on Wednesday, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany pointed an accusing finger at Beijing's law enforcement patrols off the east coast of Taiwan island, alleging that the patrols "‌threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation".

This only serves to expose their hypocrisy and double standards. These Western nations, while quick to criticize China's rightful defense measures, conveniently ignore Japan and the Philippines' unwarranted and unlawful "maritime delimitation" attempts and turn a blind eye to their own provocative and destabilizing naval activities in the region. Their statements form part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on China by interfering in its internal affairs.

"Taiwan independence" leads nowhere. China's national reunification is the trend of history and any attempt to split Chinese territory, whether by secessionist forces on the island, external forces or their collusion, will be resolutely opposed and inevitably crushed by the wheels of history.