China's TAO Criticizes President with 'Four Nots'; DPP Responds: 'Fact of Taiwan's Sovereign Independence Unchanged'

(CNA, Taipei, 20th, by reporter Yeh Su-ping) President Lai Ching-te delivered a speech today on the 2nd anniversary of his inauguration, to which the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) responded with a "Four Nots" critique. In response, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Wu Tcheng said that no matter what language the TAO uses to insult and slander President Lai, a clear reality is that "whether you call it the Republic of China, Taiwan, or the Republic of China, Taiwan, we are a sovereign and independent country." According to media reports, the TAO stated today that no matter what Lai Ching-te says or does, it cannot conceal his stubborn pro-independence nature, change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China, sever the historical and legal ties that both sides of the strait belong to one China, nor stop the historical trend that the motherland will and must be unified. Wu Tcheng, speaking at a press conference after the DPP's Central Standing Committee meeting today, said he was not sure if the TAO could achieve its goals just by talking, but one thing was certain: "I'm getting sick of it." He noted that the TAO says the same things every week, and the media asked the exact same question last week. Wu said that no matter what language the TAO uses to insult or slander President Lai, there is a clear reality. As President Lai stated in the Central Standing Committee meeting today, today is a historic day for Taiwan as it marks the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections in Taiwan. It is a clear fact that the Taiwanese people elect their own president, form their own government, and Taiwan has its own sovereignty. Wu Tcheng stated that, as President Lai said, "whether you call it the Republic of China, Taiwan, or the Republic of China, Taiwan, we are a sovereign and independent country," and this point will not change no matter what the TAO says.