The People’s Republic of China (PRC) could not be the “motherland” of the people of the Republic of China (ROC), President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday.
Lai made the remarks in a speech at a Double Ten National Day gala in Taipei, which is part of National Day celebrations that are to culminate in a fireworks display in Yunlin County on Thursday night next week.
Lai wished the country a happy birthday and called on attendees to enjoy the performances and activities while keeping in mind that the ROC is a sovereign and independent nation.
Photo: CNA
He appealed for everyone to always love their country, to learn from the martyrs who made great sacrifices and to live up to the contributions of those who came before.
He compared the PRC’s recent national day on Oct. 1, marking its 75th anniversary, with the ROC, which turns 113 on Thursday.
“The PRC could not be the motherland of the people of the ROC,” he said.
Photo: CNA
As the ROC is older, the PRC cannot be its homeland, and in fact, for people aged 75 or older in China, the ROC might be their actual homeland, he added.
There is no question regarding ROC sovereignty, as it is firmly rooted in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Mastu, Lai said.
He reminded those who wished to extend congratulations to the PRC for its own national day to choose their words carefully and avoid terms like “motherland.”
Photo courtesy of the Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism
Last night’s event is to be followed by an official ceremony in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on Thursday morning, where Lai would deliver a speech, his first National Day address since taking office in May.
The National Day ceremony in front of the Presidential Office Building is usually organized by a team headed by the legislative speaker.
Therefore, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) is the head of the official ceremony’s organizing team this year.
This year’s event also marks the first time in eight years that the organizing team is led by an opposition leader.
Additional reporting by CNA
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