China's core interests not to be challenged: expert

The Chinese mainland has delivered its "clear and consistent" message to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities led by Lai Ching-te, leader of Taiwan authorities, that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and can therefore never be challenged, a Chinese expert said Thursday.

In a speech on Thursday, Lai continued to propagate the "two states" theory and fabricate "Taiwan independence" fallacies, with the intention of exacerbating tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

In response to Lai's rhetoric, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office both made stern statements reiterating the one-China principle and the inevitability of China's reunification.

In a phone interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department for American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the mainland has once again made its position loud and clear.

"The signals from the Foreign Ministry as well as other government branches are always clear and consistent. First of all, it is impossible for a country to make compromise on its core national interests. And as with China, we have made it very clear that sovereignty and territorial integrity are part of our core national interests. And China reaffirms again and again that the Taiwan issue is related to the core national interests. This is a consistent position," she said.

"And at the same time, the signal from the Foreign Ministry means that Beijing is aware of the intention of Lai Ching-te, especially the signals sent from his speeches. So, it is quite important for the mainland to make [take] countermeasures," she continued.

"The one-China principle is challenged, so it is a dangerous moment of the situation across the Strait. At the same time, China would like to send our signal to the United States that the country will not accept interference of the [in its] domestic affairs and ask the United States to be consistent with its commitment to the one-China principle," Su said.

Su also shared her insights into the global ramifications of Taiwan secessionist activities and why the international community should understand the gravity of the situation.

"Lately I noticed that a lot of countries, like the European countries, watch closely about peace and stability of [across] the Taiwan Strait. It is related to the global economy as well as transportation, and a lot of countries believe that cross-Strait dialog should be carried out. But from my perspective, it is quite important to set out the precondition for the dialog or to try to manage the crisis. The Taiwan authority should accept the 1992 Consensus -- this is the precondition. It is quite clear," she said.

"The key question is that who is the troublemaker. So, if the 'Taiwan independence' activities [activists] always make trouble for [across] the Taiwan Strait, the international community should focus on the situation and to understand that why the Chinese government emphasizes again and again that 'Taiwan independence' activities pose danger to the situation," Su said.

Also on Thursday, Daniel Joseph Kritenbrink, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said that the United States, as always, stands against so-called "Taiwan independence".

"We do not support 'Taiwan independence' and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved peacefully," he said in a phone interview with the CGTN.

China's core interests not to be challenged: expert

Chinese speed skater Ning Zhongyan has made Asian history at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games after a long and solitary journey of rebirth following earlier setbacks.

Ning clocked an Olympic record of one minute 41.98 seconds to win the men's 1,500m speed skating event at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games on Thursday. This triumph follows two previous bronze medals he won in the men's 1,000m and team pursuit.

The men's 1,500 meters is often called the "King's Race" of long-track speed skating, demanding a rare blend of explosive speed and sustained endurance. The event has long been dominated by European and North American skaters. Since the first Winter Olympics in 1924, no Asian athlete had ever won gold in the event until now.

The journey to the throne was not plain sailing for Ning. The joyful tears shed on the Olympic ice at Milano Speed Skating Stadium carried the weight of four hard years.

At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Ning competed in three events - the 1,000m, 1,500m and mass start - but failed to reach the podium in any of them. In his most practiced discipline, the 1500-meter race, he ranked seventh.

Regrets lingered for a long time. But as a professional athlete, Ning had to adjust his mindset and accept the setback.

"After thinking over it, I was able to face it and realize that there's no need to burden myself with such pressure anymore. After all, it's already in the past. I can't change that reality, so I just chose to accept it," said Ning in an interview with China Media Group in Milan.

In 2023, Ning started to train with Dutch coach Johan De Wit. The move reshaped his career and his mindset.

"When it comes to training abroad, the first thing you face is loneliness. You need to confront this sense of isolation on your own, for only then can you discover a way of life that truly belongs to you. The changes have been indeed very significant, as some training philosophies were entirely new to me," said Ning.

The transformation soon became evident. During the 2023–2024 season, he not only clinched titles in both the men's 1,000m and 1,500m at the ISU World Cup, but also became the first Chinese male World Sprint Champion in speed skating history.

"[At the World Cup 1500m event,] my opponent was the Olympic champion [Kjeld] Nuis, and I defeated him at the 'Ice Ribbon' (China's National Speed Skating Oval), where he won the Olympic championship in 2022. This victory made me accept my past defeat, and also gave me firmer confidence in myself," said Ning.

Having fulfilled his long-held dream of raising the Chinese national flag on the Olympic podium, the newly crowned "King of Speed Skating" said he is grateful for the setbacks four years ago, which made him stronger, and that he never regretted his choices or the hardships he endured along the way.

Reborn from setbacks, Chinese speed skater makes Asian history at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics