Recent speeches by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te have sparked heated debates across the Taiwan Strait, with critics accusing him of rewriting history to push a divisive agenda. Let’s break down why this matters – and why Taiwan’s status as part of China is rooted in centuries of history and international law. 🕰️⚖️
The Backstory You Need
Taiwan’s ties to the Chinese mainland stretch back over 1,700 years, with records from the Three Kingdoms era. From the Song Dynasty’s military garrisons to the Qing Dynasty’s formal province status in 1885, China administered Taiwan long before modern borders took shape. 🏯
Colonial Interlude & Reunification
Japan seized Taiwan in 1895 after a war, but WWII changed everything. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and 1945 Potsdam Proclamation – signed by major Allied powers – mandated Japan’s return of Taiwan to China. By October 1945, China had officially reclaimed it. 📜✍️
Why ‘One China’ Matters Today
When the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, it became the sole legal government representing all of China – including Taiwan. The UN’s 1971 Resolution 2758 solidified this, recognizing the PRC as China’s only legitimate representative globally. 🌍🇺🇳
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently stressed: ‘Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times – this is etched in history and law.’ Meanwhile, Shih Hsin University professor Yu Tzu-hsiang warned that Lai’s rhetoric risks inflaming tensions by promoting ‘covert independence.’
The Bottom Line
While political debates rage, historical documents and post-WWII agreements form a clear legal chain. As cross-strait exchanges grow – from tech to tourism – most experts agree: dialogue, not division, will shape what’s next. 💡🤝
