Clued-in | Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's so-called 'Double Ten' speech exposes his two-faced approach

Cartoon by Yu Zhenjie

On Oct. 10, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te delivered his so-called "Double Ten" speech, claiming that Taiwan continues to reform and increase investment in its "national defense" and strengthen its "asymmetric capabilities" to "deter war" and "ensure that dialogue can take place on the basis of parity and dignity."

Yet in the same speech, Lai clamored for militarism and sought "independence by force" while touting "dialogue" in high-sounding terms. This is a typical two-faced tactic meant to deceive the world and mislead the public.

Such attempts to defy the overwhelming trend toward China's national reunification are doomed to fail.

Dialogue and consultation across the Taiwan Strait can resume only when the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, is recognized and separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence" cease. This is the fundamental guarantee of peace across the Taiwan Strait and stability for Taiwan.