Lai's actions reveal flattery of Japan and betrayal of Taiwan, mainland says

The recent actions of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have fully exposed their shameless flattery of Japan and betrayal of Taiwan, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.

Peng Qing'en, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, warned the Lai authorities at a news conference that any attempt to rely on external forces would only bring humiliation upon themselves.

"Any external force that dares to provoke will only bring about its own destruction," he added.

Following serious protests by the Chinese mainland against Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, Lai posted a photo of himself eating sushi on social media on Friday, expressing support for Takaichi.

Peng noted that Takaichi's remarks constitute blatant interference in China's internal affairs, seriously violate international law and the basic norms of international relations, and urged Japan to retract its statements on Taiwan.

"Lai feeds on pro-Japan flattery and engages in acts that betray Taiwan," Peng said, describing Lai's behavior as "nauseating" and exposing his ugly nature of forgetting his roots and betraying the motherland.

After the Chinese mainland suspended imports of aquatic products from Japan, the DPP authorities lifted the import restrictions on Japanese foods on Friday, which had been in place since the Fukushima nuclear accident. The move has drawn widespread questioning on the island.

Peng criticized the DPP authorities for prioritizing their own interests over public health, adding that the decision "fully exposes their 'Taiwan independence' agenda and their shameless, bottomless flattery of Japan".

More than 30 groups in Taiwan, including Taiwan's Labor Party, have released a joint statement protesting Takaichi's remarks.

Despite criticism of Takaichi's statements, Lin Chia-lung, head of Taiwan's "foreign affairs department", publicly supported the Japanese leader and encouraged Taiwan people to travel to Japan and buy Japanese goods.

Peng reiterated that resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people themselves, and no external force has the right to interfere, adding that the widespread protests demanding that Takaichi retract her statements and issue a public apology are fully justified.

"Japan is currently attempting to stir up trouble by using Taiwan, and the DPP authorities are seeking to collude with external forces to create disturbances," Peng said, condemning the DPP authorities as "destroyers of peace and troublemakers" in the Taiwan Strait.