Taiwan's President Challenges China's Territorial Claims

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te criticized China's territorial claims over Taiwan, questioning why China hasn't reclaimed land ceded to Russia in the 19th century under the Treaty of Aigun. Lai argued that China's true aim is achieving hegemony in the Western Pacific rather than territorial integrity.

In a bold statement, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te challenged China's aggressive posture towards Taiwan by pointing to historical territorial deals with Russia. Lai questioned why China, which claims Taiwan citing territorial integrity, has not pursued lands ceded to Russia under the 1858 Treaty of Aigun.

Speaking on a Taiwanese television broadcast, Lai argued that China's motives extend beyond mere territorial claims. He suggested that if China were genuinely concerned about territorial integrity, it would also reclaim significant areas lost to Russia, especially during its current period of vulnerability.

China's consistent stance is that Taiwan has been part of its territory since ancient times, a claim intensely refuted by Taiwan's government. Lai insists that China's real intention is to disrupt the rules-based international order to establish dominance in the Western Pacific region.

(With inputs from agencies.)