Taipei, March 9 (NationPress) On Monday, Taipei firmly dismissed the recent comments made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding Taiwan, labeling Beijing as a “troublemaker” within the international arena and a “saboteur of cross-strait peace”, according to local media.

Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, emphasized that Taiwan has consistently been an independent sovereign state, asserting that “neither the ROC [Republic of China] nor the PRC [People’s Republic of China] are subordinate to each other,” as reported by the leading daily, Taipei Times.

He stated, “Regardless of historical facts, objective realities, or international law, Taiwan’s sovereignty has never been under the jurisdiction of the PRC,” adding that it is the people of Taiwan who hold the exclusive right to determine the nation’s future.

Lin Chia-lung referenced the 1951 “Treaty of San Francisco,” a pivotal agreement made between Japan and the Allied Powers post-World War II, which superseded wartime declarations.

He noted that Taiwan's journey towards liberalization and democratization, which initiated in the 1980s, culminated in the nation’s first presidential election in 1996, establishing the ROC as the sole legitimate government of Taiwan and solidifying the “status quo” of cross-strait relations.

Lin expressed concern that the military drills conducted by China in the Taiwan Strait in recent years have significantly disrupted regional peace and stability, rather than Taiwan itself, as reported by Taipei Times.

Labeling China as a “troublemaker” on the global stage and as a “saboteur of cross-strait peace,” he urged Beijing to acknowledge Taiwan’s existence as an independent entity and to collaborate towards maintaining peace and stability in the region. He called on the international community to denounce China’s unilateral efforts to alter the “status quo” through coercive measures, military intimidation, and the arbitrary harassment of other nations.

Lin Chia-lung’s statements followed Wang Yi’s comments, which asserted that Taiwan has always been a part of China and that its aspirations for nationhood are impossible.

While speaking at a press conference during the Chinese National People’s Congress, Wang Yi claimed that the “return” of Taiwan to China was a result of the Chinese people's resistance against Japan during World War II, and any pursuit of independence was “doomed to fail,” referencing the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Declaration, Japanese Instrument of Surrender, and UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to affirm Taiwan’s status.

Wang stated, “The Taiwan issue is an aspect of China’s internal affairs and at the very heart of its interests. This red line must not be crossed.” He further asserted that nations recognize Taiwan as part of China and oppose “Taiwan independence,” claiming that “unification aligns with global expectations” and is an “inevitable process.”

China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force if necessary. Despite China's persistent efforts, Taiwan, with robust public backing, continues to assert its sovereignty and respond to incursions from China.