Taipei/IBNS: Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the primary agency responsible for cross-strait relations, rejected China's criticism of President Lai Ching-te's National Day speech and condemned Beijing for attempting to turn Taiwan into "another Hong Kong."

In a statement, the MAC said, “The Chinese Communist Party clearly regards the Republic of China (Taiwan’s official name) as an illegitimate regime and seeks to undermine its continued existence."

"Beijing’s stance, which emphasizes the 'one China principle' and the '1992 consensus,' aims to assimilate Taiwan into a situation similar to Hong Kong's," it added.

This statement was a direct response to remarks made by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) earlier in the day.

The "one China principle" claims that Taiwan is part of China, and the "1992 consensus" is interpreted by Beijing as supporting the notion that Taiwan falls under this single China, according to Focus Taiwan.

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua had labeled Lai’s October 10 speech as a "Taiwan independence manifesto," accusing Lai of intensifying provocations against the one China principle and further pushing the "two-state fallacy."

Chen went on to describe Lai as a “Taiwan independence worker” and a “disruptor of peace,” justifying China's recent military actions as necessary to defend its territorial integrity and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

He warned that further provocations by pro-independence forces would face stronger countermeasures until full reunification is achieved.

Following Lai's speech, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted military drills, labeled "Joint Sword-2024B," involving various branches in the Taiwan Strait.

These drills were described as a "stern warning" to Taiwan’s independence movement.

In his National Day address, Lai reaffirmed Taiwan's sovereignty, stating, "The Republic of China, rooted in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, is not subordinate to the People's Republic of China," and emphasized his duty to protect Taiwan's sovereignty from any violation or annexation.