Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's latest speeches have drawn widespread criticism across various sectors, with many accusing him of deliberately distorting facts to serve his separatist agenda.
Lai kicked off the so-called "10 lectures on unity" campaign on June 22, with each lecture focusing on a specific theme.
Many people believe that his speeches deliberately exaggerate Taiwan's economic achievements, while actually fawning on the United States and selling Taiwan away, which undermines the local economy. Furthermore, he has ignored people's welfare and engaged in political schemes that escalate cross-Strait tensions just to cover up his governance incompetence.
"Faced with substantial pressures from high U.S. tariffs that harm Taiwan's industries and the well-being of its people, the Lai Ching-te authorities are willing to sell out Taiwan for personal gain. This has revealed the extreme harm of their dependence on the U.S. for secession," said Tang Hua, director of the Cross-Strait Relations Research Institute at Xiamen University's Taiwan Research Institute.
Public opinion indicates that since taking office, Lai has focused on political struggles, leading a large-scale recall campaign and inciting the escalation of tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
This has exacerbated the anxiety among the people on the island, and by doing so, he just wants to conceal his incompetence in governance. Scholars on cross-Strait relations have pointed out that Lai's actions contradict his high-profile calls for "unity".
"It's precisely because he lacks the capability to address economic issues and social welfare that he is focusing on a large-scale recall campaign. Through political struggles, Lai is trying to cover up his governance incompetence and poor performance through political struggle," said Wang Zhenwei, the director of the Political Studies Institute at Xiamen University's Taiwan Research Institute.
"ai Ching-te's actions - ignoring the people's welfare, fostering division, and inciting confrontation - are in stark contrast to his claims of 'unity'. This approach goes against the mainstream public sentiment in Taiwan for peace, stability, and development. The people of Taiwan do not support or agree with this. They have come to realize that 'Taiwan secession' is a dead end that will only lead to deeper crises and divisions. Only by discarding ideological confrontation and embracing the idea that people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are of the same family can we truly protect Taiwan's peace, stability, and the well-being of people," said Tang.
Lai's speeches on Taiwan spark criticism among scholars
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
