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Analysts see Lai Ching-te's separatist statements as challenge to mainland's red line

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      China

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      Analysts see Lai Ching-te's separatist statements as challenge to mainland's red line

      2025-03-16 01:15 Last Updated At:02:17

      Analysts have warned that the separatist statements made recently by leader of Taiwan region Lai Ching-te constitute a challenge to the bottom line and the red line of the mainland.

      On Thursday, the eve of the 20th anniversary of the implementation of China's Anti-Secession Law, Lai held a meeting in which he portrayed the mainland as a "hostile external force" and outlined 17 strategies to counter the so-called threats facing the island.

      "There is no doubt that the Lai Ching-te authorities' actions are an attempt to challenge the bottom line and the red line of the mainland, especially Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law. His actions are indeed extremely dangerous," said Zhang Hua, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

      "We must carefully analyze whether his actions have touched Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law, that is, 'the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' The more rambunctious Lai Ching-te becomes, the faster we will see a solution of the Taiwan question and achieve unification," said Zhu Songling, a professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Beijing Union University.

      Article 8 of the law states that the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the event that the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted.

      Analysts said Lai's separatist actions would push Taiwan closer to the brink of conflict.

      His proposal to "reinstate military tribunals" is viewed as a strategic move to suppress political opponents on the island which further reveals his anxiety and insecurity, analysts said.

      "Lai Ching-te's intensified incitement against the mainland cannot be ruled out as a strategic foreshadowing laid by him to suppress political dissidents on the island," said Chen Chao, deputy director of the Center for Taiwan Studies, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

      "Lai Ching-te is very anxious because his public support in the Taiwan region has continued to plunge. Polls conducted last month showed that public support for Lai was approaching a 'death cross' where the opposition outnumbers the support. So he resorted to provoking confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait," Zhang Hua said.

      Analysts see Lai Ching-te's separatist statements as challenge to mainland's red line

      Analysts see Lai Ching-te's separatist statements as challenge to mainland's red line

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      Global trade hits record 33 trillion USD in 2024: UN report

      2025-03-16 13:39 Last Updated At:14:07

      Global trade hit a record 33 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024, marking a 3.7-percent increase from 2023, showed a report released Friday by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

      The growth was driven by services, which rose 9 percent and accounted for nearly 60 percent of the total growth, the Global Trade Update report says, adding that trade in goods grew 2 percent.

      Developing economies outpaced developed nations in 2024, with imports and exports rising 4 percent for the year and 2 percent in the fourth quarter.

      Foreign trade of China and India both showed strong growth momentum in the fourth quarter of 2024, the report says.

      Meanwhile, developed economies' trade stagnated, with imports and exports flat for the year and down 2 percent in the last quarter, it says.

      The report highlights mounting geoeconomic tensions, protectionist policies and trade disputes that could disrupt trade ahead, despite signs of trade stability in early 2025.

      The report calls for efforts to prevent the formation of isolated trade blocs and avoid undermining long-term growth by properly managing policy shifts.

      Global trade hits record 33 trillion USD in 2024: UN report

      Global trade hits record 33 trillion USD in 2024: UN report

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